Paul Pierce scored 22 points and Kevin Garnett added 20 as the Boston Celtics pulled off a dominating 118-86 triumph over the New Jersey Nets on Thursday. Rajon Rondo collected 11 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds and Ray Allen added 12 points for the Celtics. Roger Mason hit the winning shot to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 112-111 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Elsewhere, Chris Paul recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 33 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and seven steals as the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 104-97. Kevin Durant hit 23 points as Oklahoma City Thunder stunned the Utah Jazz with a 114-93 rout, while Derrick Rose scored 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 102-98 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Andre Iguodala scored a season-high 29 points as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 100-79, while the New York Knicks pulled out a 128-122 win over the Washington Wizards, and the Miami Heat held off the Milwaukee Bucks 102-99, while two three-pointers from Troy Murphy in overtime saw the Indiana Pacers survived for a 110-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons, while the Atlanta Hawks dealt the Los Angeles Clippers a thumping 97-80 defeat.
Brad Miller netted 30 points as the Sacramento Kings had a thrilling 135-133 triple-overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors. Jamal Crawford scored 35 points and CJ Watson added a career-high 26 for the beaten Warriors. * PA Sport
