Pierce scores 17 in 3rd to rally Celtics
January 28, 2012
BOSTON (AP)—Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter,hitting a 3-pointer and two more baskets as the Celtics ran off 11 consecutivepoints to pull away and beat the Indiana Pacers 94-87 Friday night.
Pierce added 10 rebounds and eight assists to help Boston win its fourthconsecutive game despite playing without starters Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo andJermaine O’Neal. Kevin Garnett and Mickael Pietrus added 13 points and eightrebounds apiece as the Celtics matched their longest winning streak of the year.
Boston Celtics ' Chris Wil… AP – Jan 27, 10:28 pm EST Boston Celtics ' Kevin Gar… AP – Jan 27, 10:28 pm EST
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pi… AP – Jan 27, 10:27 pm EST
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pi… AP – Jan 27, 9:00 pm EST
Boston Celtics forward Kevin G… AP – Jan 27, 8:59 pm EST
Boston Celtics head coach Doc … AP – Jan 27, 8:59 pm EST
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pi… AP – Jan 27, 8:59 pm EST
Boston Celtics ' Paul Pier… AP – Jan 27, 8:11 pm EST 1 of 8 Ind-Bos Gallery
Danny Granger scored 21 points for Indiana, which had beaten Boston twicethis season—both times by more than 10 points. Paul George scored 16 with ninerebounds and David West had 14 points and eight rebounds.
It was 46-all with 8:44 left in the third quarter when Pierce hit a 3 tobreak the tie. In the next 2 1-2 minutes, Pierce fed Avery Bradley for a layupand then, after Roy Hibbert was called for an offensive foul, Pierce hit alayup, Garnett made a jumper and then Pierce drove for another basket to make itan 11-point game.
The Celtics were up 90-80 with 35 seconds left when Pietrus was called for aflagrant foul under the Pacers’ basket and a technical for taunting. After threefree throws, the Pacers got the ball trailing by only seven. But Garnett blockedGranger’s attempt to drive for a layup, and the Celtics were able to make theirfree throws to run out the clock.
The Celtics opened the second half with a 42-34 lead, but the Pacers cut itin half on two quick layups by Granger and then tied it at 46 with 8:44 left inthe third quarter when he stole a bad pass from Pierce and brought it in foranother.
Reserve Chris Wilcox had 14 points and six rebounds, and Brandon Bass had 12points for Boston.
NOTES: Roy Hibbert left the game in the second quarter with a right anklesprain, but he returned in the third. He finished with 11 points and sevenrebounds. … The Pacers had been 4-0 on Fridays. … Wilcox had 10 points andsix rebounds at the half. … Garnett is the only Celtic to have played in everygame. … The Celtics are 3-0 without Allen (left ankle) and 4-1 without Rondo(right wrist).
