Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 24 points in the third quarter to lead the Boston Celtics to their ninth consecutive win, 107-88 against the Orlando Magic last night at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.
Ray Allen added 21 points, Rajon Rondo had 16 points with 12 assists and Kevin Garnett scored 15 points for the Celtics (17-2) in a win over a top Eastern Conference rival. Rashard Lewis led Orlando (13-5) with 30 points, Hedo Turkoglu 19 and Dwight Howard, the league's rebounding leader, had 14 points with 15 rebounds.
The Magic had its four-game winning streak snapped. Orlando had won six consecutive road games, one short of a club record.
Other game
* Bobcats 100, Timberwolves 90: Jason Richardson scored 25 points in another strong performance following arthroscopic knee surgery, and host Charlotte defeated Minnesota.
Notes
* Stephon Marbury did not get the divorce he wants, but he and the Knicks agreed to a separation. Marbury was ordered to stay away from the Knicks while the team looks for a solution to its $21 million problem -- one that has lingered since the preseason and picked up speed last week when the team suspended him for refusing to play and he retaliated with a series of inflammatory remarks about coach Mike D'Antoni. ... Rockets star Tracy McGrady is expected to be out at least a week and his playing time will be restricted when he returns while he struggles with soreness in his left knee stemming from offseason surgery. The Rockets also will be without Brent Barry for a while as he recovers from a small muscle tear in his right leg.
