Celtics beat Magic to clinch seventh successive victory

MIAMI: The Boston Celtics maintained their lead in the Eastern Conference with a 90-80 road win over previously top-ranked Orlando Magic on Thursday.

The Celtics' defense returned to the form that helped capture the NBA title last year, holding the Magic to 38 percent shooting in snapping Orlando's seven-game winning streak.

Boston (36-9) stretched their own winning mark to seven in a row, led by 27 points and 10 rebounds from Paul Pierce and 16 points from Kevin Garnett.