Sizzling Celtics remain unbeaten
INDIANAPOLIS: The undefeated Boston Celtics matched their best start to a season for 20 years, notching a sixth straight win with a 101-86 road victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.
Paul Pierce led the way with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and was 14-of-14 from the foul line as the Celtics equalled the franchise's best start since 1987-88 in remaining the only team yet to lose this season.
Boston's best start is 14-0, set in 1957-58.
"I have a great cast around me," said Pierce, whose team acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in trades during the offseason.
"These guys are fun to be around. Not just as basketball players, but also good guys off the court.
"You know you can't win all the games, but when you have a locker room like this, it makes it easier."
Garnett had 18 points and 11 rebounds and has had a double-double in all six games. Allen scored 15 points in the third quarter after being held scoreless in the first half.
At one point during the second quarter, Pierce was angered by a hard foul by Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley and did push-ups on the court between his free throws to taunt the Indiana crowd.
"I was a little frustrated," Pierce said. "I thought it was a flagrant foul. I got hit on the back of the head.
"I tried to use it to fire up my teammates."
The game was tied at the time and Pierce scored 13 points before the end of the half to put Boston in control.
"They are a terrific team," Indiana coach Jim O'Brien said.
The Celtics trailed by six points on three different occasions in the first quarter, their largest deficit of the season. They have only won one game by fewer than 10 points.
"It was a good win," Boston coach Doc Rivers said.
"I don't think it was a good game by either team. We just keep seeking the right combinations."
Danny Granger led the Pacers with 24 points and seven rebounds.
In Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire had his best night since his arthroscopic knee surgery six weeks ago, finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds as Phoenix downed New York 113-102.
The Knicks were without three starters, including Stephon Marbury, who abruptly left the team earlier in the day and reportedly returned to New York as the Knicks opened a four-game road trip.
Shawn Marion scored 23 and Grant Hill had 21, his most in his eight games with Phoenix. Steve Nash finished with five points and 12 assists.
In Orlando, Rashard Lewis scored 22 points against his former team, and Orlando handed Seattle its league-worst eighth straight loss, a 103-76 decision.
The SuperSonics have not won since April 7 of last season, when Lewis was still on their side and went for 35 points against the Utah Jazz. It is the worst start in franchise history, surpassing an 0-6 streak in 1969.
Lewis had 19 in the first half, and along with Dwight Howard rested the fourth quarter. Howard had only one first-half point, but finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Hedo Turkoglu scored 17 points.
Nick Collison led Seattle with 15 points and rookie Jeff Green finished with 12.
In San Antonio, Tony Parker had 26 points and nine assists, and San Antonio beat the Los Angeles Lakers 107-92 for its fourth straight win.
Bruce Bowen went 6-of-6 from 3-point range for San Antonio and finished with 23 points. Manu Ginobili added 17 points.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 18 points, well below the 30.4 he was averaging before the game. Jordan Farmar added 16 and Lamar Odom had 12.
In Memphis, Pau Gasol scored 26 points, including four free throws in the final minute, and Memphis overcame 41 points from Tracy McGrady to beat Houston 105-99.
Darko Milicic added 20 points, and Mike Miller finished with 17 as Memphis snapped Houston's three-game winning streak. Rudy Gay scored 15 for the Grizzlies.
Free throws were the difference, as Memphis connected on eight straight in the final 2 minutes after Houston tied it at 97. Memphis scored 34 points from the line, compared to 17 for the Rockets.
Yao Ming added 22 points for Houston and reserve Mike James had 10.
Agencies
(China Daily 11/15/2007 page22)
