Surging Celts Hold Off Miami, Move to 8-0

Magic rout Clippers, Knicks stop bleeding against Heat

(NEWSER) - Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett had 18 point apiece, with Paul Pierce contributing 14 points (all in the first quarter) and eleven assists as the Big Three last night led Boston to a 111-82 rout of the woeful Supersonics, the AP reports. The win is the Celts' tenth straight. Seattle has dropped six straight, and 10 of 11. In other NBA action: More»

Elsewhere, Warriors paste Miami while Philly whips rebuilding Sonics

(NEWSER) - Boston won its seventh straight game, 116-93, over a tired Chicago team last night to retain its three-game lead in the Eastern Conference. This one was never in doubt as the Celtics built a 20-point halftime lead and were able to rest their starters in the fourth quarter. Paul Pierce scored 22 points while Kevin Garnett added 16 points, 8 rebounds. Also in hoops: More»

Joe Johnson's three-pointer with a minute remaining holds up

(NEWSER) - Atlanta just won't let go of its first trip to the postseason in nine years. The playoff team with the worst record did it again to the team with the best mark, forcing an improbable Game 7 with the Boston Celtics, as Joe Johnson hit a crucial 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining and the Hawks held on for a 103-100 victory Friday. More»

(NEWSER) - Takedowns and menacing gestures. Double technicals and flagrant fouls. And the Boston Celtics are heading to Atlanta to try to deliver the knockout punch. Paul Pierce scored a playoff-high 22 points and Ray Allen hit three 3-pointers in the middle of the third quarter Wednesday night to turn back the Hawks' last charge, leading Boston to a hard-fought 110-85 victory over Atlanta More»

Game 1 loss leaves Atlanta winless against Boston this season

(NEWSER) - Ray Allen scored 18 points and Kevin Garnett had 16 as the two newcomers who led the Boston Celtics to the NBA's best record sparked them to a 104-81 win last night in their playoff opener against the Atlanta Hawks. Rookie Al Horford led the Hawks with 20 points and 10 rebounds and Joe Johnson added 19 points. More»