Boston Celtics Team Report - December 16

(Basketball News) - The Boston Celtics found themselves on the wrong end of a 100-99 decision against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday at the FleetCenter.

Paul Pierce paced Boston with 31 points. Ricky Davis ended with 18 points for the Celtics, including 13 in the fourth quarter. Mark Blount netted 13 points and Gary Payton contributed 11 points and 10 assists in the loss.

Davis scored the first six points of the fourth period to give the Celtics a 79-77 lead. Boston increased its advantage to 89-83 on Walter McCarty’s layup with 7:34 remaining.

The Nuggets then went on a 13-2 burst, ignited by Marcus Camby’s three-point play, to move in front 96-91 with 3:12 left.

The Celtics battled back and cut the deficit to 98-97 on a pair of free throws by Payton with 35.8 seconds remaining.

After Carmelo Anthony missed a turnaround jumper, Pierce was fouled at the other end and made both attempts from the stripe to put Boston ahead by a point with 10.7 seconds left.

On Denver’s next possession, Anthony used a screen to free himself and nailed the jumper to win it for the Nuggets.

Boston returns to action on Friday versus the Utah Jazz.