Depleted Celts hold Magic to 56 points
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| AP photo The Celtics' Sasha Pavlovic looks to pass under pressure from Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard during the first quarter Monday in Boston. (Charles Krupa (STF)) |
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BOSTON – The Boston Celtics’ injuries didn’t affect what coach Doc Rivers always wants – solid defense.
Paul Pierce and former Magic forward Brandon Bass each scored 19 points to carry the injury-riddled Celtics to an 87-56 win over Orlando on Monday night.
The Magic set franchise lows for points and field goals (16).
Boston matched a club record for fewest points allowed in the shot-clock era, also done last season against Milwaukee.
Boston was minus starters Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and three bench players, drastically reducing its roster.
Dwight Howard led the Magic with 18 points and 14 rebounds. He needs eight points to surpass Nick Anderson as the Magic’s career scoring leader.
Rockets 107, Timberwolves 92: At Minneapolis, Rocket’s coach Kevin McHale’s first night back at Target Center since his firing in 2009 started with quite a rude reception as the Minnesota fans who once adored him booed lustily during his introduction.
The night ended on a much better note for him.
Kevin Martin scored 31 points to lead Houston to its seventh straight victory in coach McHale’s first game back on the Timberwolves’ homecourt since 2009.
Spurs 104, Hornets 102: At New Orleans, Tim Duncan’s season-high 28 points and late-game heroics proved too much for the feisty yet hapless Hornets to overcome.
Hawks 97, Bucks 92: At Milwaukee, Joe Johnson scored 14 of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, rallying Atlanta past Milwaukee.
76ers 103, Wizards 83: At Philadelphia, even with its best big men out or ailing, the Philadelphia 76ers had little trouble with Washington again.
Thunder 99, Pistons 79: At Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook and reserve James Harden each scored 24 points, Kevin Durant added 20, and Oklahoma City beat Detroit for its fourth straight blowout win at home.
Mavericks 93, Suns 87: At Dallas, Shawn Marion scored a season-high 29 points, and short-handed Dallas stretched its home winning streak to seven games with a victory over Phoenix.
