NBA Roundup: Pierce leads Celtics to win over Jazz

Paul Pierce hit a tiebreaking layup with 28 seconds left, then sealed Boston’s fifth straight victory with a defensive rebound and two free throws as the Celtics beat the Utah Jazz 104-98 Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

Pierce was shut out in the first half, then took over the scoring in the final two periods. He had 10 points in the third and another 14 in the fourth to lead Boston to its 14th win in the last 15 games.

Ray Allen scored 23 and Kevin Garnett added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics, who complete a four-game road trip Sunday at the Lakers.

Deron Williams had 22 points and 11 assists, and Carlos Boozer finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Utah.

The Celtics improved to 25-3 and were too strong for the Jazz inside, especially after Pierce woke up in the second half. Pierce finished with six rebounds, also all in the second half, and made 10 of 11 free throws.

Boston outrebounded Utah 41-30, and Garnett and Kendrick Perkins kept the Jazz from developing much inside.

Utah had to rely on outside shooting and eventually lost its touch at the end. Utah finished 40 for 73 from the field, but couldn’t make a field goal in the final minute.

Wizards 96, Heat 74: At Washington, Andray Blatche scored 18 points, the Wizards led by as many as 30 and handed Miami its fourth loss in a row.

Caron Butler scored 16 for Washington, and Antawn Jamison added 15 points and nine rebounds.

Pistons 98, Pacers 92: At Indianapolis, Richard Hamilton scored 24 points, Chauncey Billups had 17, and Detroit beat Indiana for its eighth straight victory.

Reserve Jason Maxiell added 12 points and Rasheed Wallace finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds to help the Pistons (23-7) complete a home-and-home sweep.

Magic 104, Bobcats 95: At Orlando, Fla., Hedo Turkoglu scored a season-high 28 points, Dwight Howard added 15 points and 21 rebounds, and the Magic beat Charlotte for their third straight victory.

Carlos Arroyo replaced the injured Jameer Nelson at point guard for Orlando and had 16 points and six assists. Rashard Lewis scored 18 points.

Hornets 86, Cavaliers 76: At New Orleans, David West had 27 points and 15 rebounds, leading the Hornets past Cleveland for their fifth straight victory.

Chris Paul had 20 points, nine assists and tied a career high with seven steals, while Tyson Chandler added 11 points and 12 rebounds to help New Orleans tie its best start through 30 games in franchise history (20-10).

Mavericks 97, Hawks 84: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki had 22 points while Josh Howard and Devin Harris each had 19 and the Mavericks led throughout in a victory that snapped Atlanta’s five-game winning streak.

Rockets 91, Raptors 79: At Houston, Yao Ming scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Rockets to a victory over Toronto.

Rafer Alston added 18 points, and Bonzi Wells had 13 points and 11 rebounds as Houston won its second straight and third in four games.

Nets 97, Bucks 95: At Milwaukee, Vince Carter scored eight of his 23 points in the final 4 minutes, Jason Kidd added 11 of his 17 in the fourth quarter, and New Jersey beat the Bucks.

Richard Jefferson had 19 for the Nets, who have won four of five. Kidd finished with 15 assists but six turnovers.