Boston Celtics Team Report - November 27

(Basketball News) - Paul Pierce poured in a game-high 30 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, as Boston defeated Orlando, 94-92, at TD Waterhouse Centre on Wednesday.

Pierce, who ended 12-of-22 from the field, also had eight rebounds and six assists for the Celtics, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Vin Baker added 19 points, while Eric Williams chipped in 15 in the win.

Pierce’s jumper with 6:57 remaining in the game staked Boston to an 83-77 lead and the cushion grew to seven at 86-79 just over two minutes later on a pair of free throws by Pierce.

Orlando then reeled off four straight points and closed within 86-83, but the Celtics countered with four consecutive points of their own to widen the gap back to seven with just over three minutes left.

The Magic scored the next five points and got within two on Gordan Giricek’s three-pointer with 2:08 remaining, but Pierce knocked down two foul shots to make it 92-88 with 1:51 left.

Orlando again closed within two at 94-92 on Drew Gooden’s basket with 27 seconds remaining and the Celtics were then called for a shot clock violation. The Magic had one last chance as they took over with 3.4 seconds left, but Tyronn Lue’s three-pointer was off the mark.

The Celtics are the only team in the NBA not to have scored or allowed 100 points in a game this season

The Celtics are off until Friday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks.