Boston Celtics Team Report - March 2

(Basketball News) - Mark Blount scored 28 points and grabbed 21 rebounds, both career-highs, to lead the Boston Celtics past the Orlando Magic, 117-96, on Monday at the FleetCenter.

Paul Pierce collected 25 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for Boston, which has won three in a row after a seven-game losing streak. Ricky Davis had 19 points and Chucky Atkins chipped in 17 points and nine assists for the Celtics, who scored the first 25 points of the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Atkins and Davis fueled the 25-0 burst to open the final period, which staked the Celtics to a commanding 112-82 advantage, scoring eight and seven points, respectively, during the decisive spurt.

Despite being 10 games under .500 (26-36), the Celtics are currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, percentage points ahead of the Miami Heat.

Blount’s previous highs were 22 points against the Knicks on January 30, and 14 rebounds against Washington on January 23.

Boston, which will close a brief two-game homestand on Friday against Washington, won for just the second time its last seven at home and improved to 13-18 in front of its crowd this season.

The Celtics defeated the Wizards earlier in the year and has won nine of 14 and 14 of the previous 20 matchups. Boston has also won 11 of its last 14 in Beantown against Washington.