Boston clinches NBA's best record as 'Big 3' sit

NEW YORK: The Boston Celtics played without their "Big Three" on Saturday but still clinched the NBA's best regular-season record with an easy 101-78 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were rested, while Paul Pierce was at home after the birth of his daughter on Friday, but that did not keep Boston from securing home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

"If you could write a script on a way to clinch home court, this would probably be it," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after Leon Powe scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Boston's sixth straight win.