Boston Celtics Team Report - March 30

(Basketball News) - Paul Pierce scored a team-high 21 points to lead the Boston Celtics to an 84-80 win over the New Jersey Nets on Monday at Continental Airlines Arena.

Mark Blount posted a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds, as the Celtics won their third straight game. Ricky Davis added 17 points and Walter McCarty chipped in 12 in the win.

Boston is a half game behind the New York Knicks for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Celtics are 1 1/2 games ahead of ninth- place Cleveland.

The Celtics are off until Wednesday when they host the Portland Trail Blazers. It will be the second and final meeting of the season between the two clubs. On February 21, Boston fell to the Blazers, 105-84, at the Rose Garden.

Pierce has scored in double digits in 20 straight games. He has averaged 24 points in his last 10 contests.