Celtics hang on as lead dwindles against Raptors
Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker each scored 24 points, and the Celtics nearly blew a 16-point fourth-quarter lead before pulling out a 110-109 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night at Boston.
After Pierce missed a jumper in the closing seconds, the Raptors came down for the final shot without calling timeout. Milt Palacio’s drive bounced off the backboard, and the buzzer sounded.
Jalen Rose led the Raptors with a season-high 35 points and Chris Bosh had 20 before leaving with a bruised lower back early in the final quarter.
Grizzlies 88, Hornets 82: At New Orleans, James Posey scored 20 points and Earl Watson 16 as undermanned Memphis outlasted New Orleans.
Clippers 110, Magic 102: Corey Maggette shrugged off a sore left wrist and scored 31 points, leading Los Angeles to a victory that extended visiting Orlando’s losing streak to a season-high six games.
Bucks 96, Cavaliers 88: At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 32 points and Joe Smith tied his season high with 21 as Milwaukee withstood 34 points from LeBron James and defeated Cleveland.
Nets 100, Bulls 84: At East Rutherford, N.J., Jason Kidd had 22 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and Vince Carter scored 30 for New Jersey in a victory over Chicago.
Spurs 89, Timberwolves 73: At San Antonio, Tim Duncan scored 25 points and Robert Horry added 18, his highest total in two seasons in San Antonio, as the Spurs beat Minnesota.
Pacers 103, Jazz 84: At Indianapolis, Stephon Jackson scored 28 points and Indiana had hit 37 of 43 free throws to beat fading Utah.
Nuggets 120, Bobcats 101: At Denver, Carmelo Anthony bounced back from his benching, scoring 25 points in just 21 minutes to lead Denver to victory over Charlotte.
Wizards 122, Hawks 93: At Atlanta, Gilbert Arenas had 29 points and Larry Hughes added 23 as Washington had a season-high point total in a victory over Atlanta.
Rockets 108, Trail Blazers 77: At Houston, David Wesley and Bob Sura scored 21 points each to lead Houston over Portland for its sixth straight win and largest margin of victory this season. .
O’Neal likely out for season
Pacers forward Jermaine O’Neal likely will not play again this season because of a shoulder injury he sustained nearly two weeks ago. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said that doctors are still waiting for the swelling to subside and that no decision has been made on whether the All-Star forward will need surgery.
Around the League
The Chicago Bulls activated center Jared Reiner and placed guard Frank Williams on the injured list. Center Eddy Curry sat out the game against the Nets with a left hamstring strain.