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Celtics’ streak hits 9

Toronto's Chris Bosh, left, soars in to defend as Boston's Paul Pierce tries to get a shot off during the first half.Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Toronto's Chris Bosh, left, soars in to defend as Boston's Paul Pierce tries to get a shot off during the first half.Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Paul Pierce scored 18 points, Kevin Garnett had 16 and the Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to nine games by beating the Toronto Raptors 90-77 Sunday at Toronto.

Rajon Rondo had 14, Eddie House came off the bench to score 11 and Tony Allen had 10.

Atlantic Division-leading Boston (20-2) matched its longest winning streak since March 16-31, 1993.

Boston’s only other 20-2 start came en route to the 1963-64 NBA championship.

The Celtics won their second straight game without guard Ray Allen (sore right ankle). Allen, who remained in Boston for treatment, is expected to return when Boston hosts Detroit on Wednesday.

Chris Bosh had 17 points and 13 rebounds as Toronto lost for the first time in five games.

Toronto trailed 71-54 after three quarters before opening the fourth with a 7-0 run, cutting the gap to 10. But with Garnett back on the floor, he and Pierce scored six points in an 8-2 run that put Boston up 80-63 with 5:52 remaining.

Boston led 50-36 at the half.

Pistons 109, Warriors 87: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Tayshaun Prince scored 23 points and Antonio McDyess had 14 points and 11 rebounds as Detroit beat Golden State.

The Pistons have won 9 of 11.

Chauncey Billups added 19 points for the Pistons, while Richard Hamilton had 13 points and six assists.

Stephen Jackson was the only Warrior to reach double figures, but he scored nine of his 13 points in the first quarter. Golden State’s leading scorer, Baron Davis, finished with two points on 1-of-8 shooting.

The Pistons took over with a 28-5 run that consumed most of the second quarter. Jason Maxiell scored the first five points, including two dunks, and Prince later had nine points in just over two minutes.

Trail Blazers 116, Nuggets 105: At Denver, Brandon Roy had 26 points and 11 assists and Channing Frye scored 20 points as Portland beat the Nuggets.

Allen Iverson had 38 points for Denver, which has lost two straight after a three-game winning streak.

Carmelo Anthony struggled from the field again and finished with 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting, and Kenyon Martin had 14 for the Nuggets.

Travis Outlaw had 17 points for the Blazers, who got their first win in Denver since Feb. 26, 2003, to snap the Nuggets’ nine-game home winning streak against Portland.

Lakers 113, Clippers 92: At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 32 points and Sasha Vujacic scored all of his 14 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Lakers to victory over the Clippers.

Andrew Bynum had a big game for the Lakers with 14 points, nine rebounds and six blocks in his anticipated matchup against Chris Kaman.

Kaman recorded 18 points and 16 rebounds, while teammate Corey Maggette added 27 points.

Marbury rejoins team

Knicks guard Stephon Marbury returned to practice after missing a week while mourning the death of his father and plans to play today against the Pacers.