Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Paul Pierce knocked down 10-of-16 shots en route to a 27-point effort, as the Celtics got their six-game homestand off on the right foot with a thorough 113-99 drubbing of the Nuggets.
Celtics Open Homestand Against Northwest Division Leading Nuggets
Kevin Garnett checked in with 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Boston, which had its four-game winning streak snapped at Utah on Monday. Rajon Rondo handed out 15 points to go with 11 points, while Ray Allen and Tony Allen tallied 16 and 13 points, respectively, for the victors.
The Celtics, who clinched a playoff spot with the win, have a 10 1/2-game lead on Toronto in the Atlantic Division with 11 games to play. They are still tied with Atlanta for the third seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
Carmelo Anthony poured in 32 points for the Nuggets, who have dropped four of their last six, including a 109-104 setback at the lowly Knicks on Tuesday. J.R. Smith chipped in 21 points in defeat.
Pierce’s 14 points guided the Celtics to a 30-27 lead after 12 minutes.
The lead changed hands twice in the second before Boston took control via a 10-2 run. Tony Allen’s slam off an assist from Rondo capped the spurt for a 59-46 lead just before halftime, which ended with Boston holding a 61-51 edge.
The margin reached 21 in the third, as Rondo’s free throw capped a 13-2 stretch just past the midway point of the quarter for a 79-58 cushion.
After trading buckets, Denver scored 20 of the quarter’s final 26 points to cut its deficit to single digits. Anthony had 12 during the run and Smith’s buzzer-beating three made it 87-80 heading to the fourth.
The rally did little to sway Boston’s confidence, as Pierce’s three-point play with 6:46 remaining pushed the lead to 104-87, and the Celtics cruised from there.
The Nuggets have three games left on their road trip and will be without head coach George Karl for the entire trek. There are reports Karl, currently undergoing cancer treatment, may miss the start of the postseason...Denver, which next plays in Toronto on Friday, has lost 11 of its last 13 visits to Boston...The Celtics, who have won four straight at home, next host the Kings on Friday...Chauncey Billups ended with 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Nuggets, who received 13 points from Arron Afflalo.
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