Pierce pours in 23 to power Celtics over Timberwolves

Source: ABS-CBNNEWS.COM

BOSTON, Massachusetts – Paul Pierce scored 23 points and Ray Allen added 20 to lift Boston over Minnesota 96-93 on Monday, the Celtics rallying in the fourth quarter to extend their mastery over the Timberwolves.

Glen Davis added 17 points while Rajon Rondo added 16 assists for the Celtics, who have not lost to Minnesota since former T-Wolves star Kevin Garnett was traded from the T-Wolves to Boston in July of 2007.

Michael Beasley scored 19 points, including the last eight for the Timberwolves, but his desperation tying 3-point shot bounced off the backboard at the final buzzer.

Rondo had lofted in a scoop shot to put Boston ahead 94-93 with one minute remaining and Minnesota's Kevin Love, who scored 12 points and grabbed 24 rebounds, misfired on a jump shot.

Boston's Nate Robinson sank two free throws in the last seconds to create the final margin.

The Celtics improved to 26-7, the best record in the Eastern Conference and second only to San Antonio in the NBA, while Minnesota slid to 9-26, fourth-worst in the NBA.

The Timberwolves led by 10 points in the third quarter but slipped to their eighth defeat this season in games where they have held a double-digit lead.

"It's really frustrating," Love said. "It's tough losing games in the manner that we have. We show that we can play with everybody. It's just not being able to close out the games."

The Timberwolves failed again in part because Pierce scored 11 Boston points in a row in the third quarter to halve Minnesota's lead to five points.

"I thought Paul in the first half tried way too hard to get everybody involved," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "I told Paul, 'You don't need to be the playmaker. We need you to score.'"

Garnett missed his third game in a row for Boston with a calf injury.