Boston recorded its 30th win from just 34 games to tie a franchise record with an 86-77 victory over New Jersey in the NBA on Friday.
Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Paul Pierce added 18 points for Boston, who matched the 1959-60 champion Celtics for the best start in franchise history.
The Nets left a lot of points on the free-throw line where they were 9-for-24. New Jersey also struggled from the floor in the final quarter, going 3-for-19. Boston outscored New Jersey 23-9 in the fourth.
PHOTO: AFP
Cavaliers 113, Bobcats 106, 2OT
In Cleveland, LeBron James scored eight of his 31 points in second overtime, and pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds to lead Cleveland over Charlotte.
James' 30-footer gave the Cavaliers a 103-102 lead early in the second overtime. He followed with a free throw and a jump-shot before Damon Jones' 3-pointer from the corner gave Cleveland a 109-102 lead with 1:27 left, ending the contest.
Hornets 114, Heat 88
In New Orleans, Bobby Jackson made a career-high seven 3-pointers and finished with 25 points to lead New Orleans over Miami.
Jackson, who made all nine of his shots, became the first Hornets player ever to make seven 3s without missing one. That also tied Jackson for third in NBA history for most 3s in a game without a miss, two shy of Latrell Sprewell's record.
New Orleans, off to its best 36-game start in team history, made 13 3-pointers and shot 61 percent overall in winning for the ninth time in 11 games. Miami is still trying to end a losing skid that has reached 10 games.
Wizards 102, Hawks 98, OT
In Atlanta, Antawn Jamison scored 22 points as Washington downed Atlanta in overtime.
Caron Butler added 21 for the Wizards, who knocked down 22 of 24 free throws.
The Hawks downed just 12-of-22 from the foul line
Antonio Daniels scored off a finger roll with 37.5 seconds left in overtime to put the Wizards ahead to stay. Butler and Daniels sealed the win at the line, going 6-of-6 the rest of the way.
Bulls 100, 76ers 97
In Philadelphia, Andres Nocioni scored 27 points and Chicago rallied to beat Philadelphia.
Joe Smith added 19 for the Bulls, who improved to 14-20 overall and 5-3 under interim coach Jim Boylan.
The Sixers dropped their season-high sixth straight game.
Rockets 113, Timberwolves 82
In Houston, the home team downed Minnesota to win for the seventh time in the nine games Tracy McGrady has missed with a knee injury.
Luis Scola had 22 points and nine rebounds and rookie Carl Landry had 15 points and 11 rebounds -- both career highs -- for the Rockets, who cruised to their season-high fifth consecutive victory.
The Wolves have lost 15 of their past 17 games overall and 13 straight on the road.
Nuggets 113, Magic 103
In Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points to lead Denver over Orlando.
Anthony Carter had 14 of his career high-tying 21 in the fourth quarter, while Allen Iverson's five rebounds gave him 3,000 for his career.
Warriors 116, Grizzlies 104
In Oakland, California, Golden State beat Memphis for the fifth straight time.
Monta Ellis made his first 11 shots and scored 27 points fr the Warriors, who won for the 10th time in their past 13 home games.
The Grizzlies lost their third straight and dropped to 4-14 in road contests.
Mavericks 90, SuperSonics 70
In Seattle, Dallas overcame some early shooting woes to beat Seattle and record its season-best sixth straight win.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points in just three quarters and Josh Howard added 18 for the Mavericks.
Dallas shook off making just six of 22 shots in the first quarter to rout the Sonics, thanks to a defense that caused problems for Seattle rookie Kevin Durant. Durant was just 4-of-13 from the field, scoring 15 points, and spent part of the fourth quarter on the bench.
Seattle lost its sixth straight.
Lakers 110, Bucks 105
In Los Angeles, the home side beat Milwaukee to get its season-high fifth straight win.
Kobe Bryant scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter despite ilness, while Andrew Bynum had 25 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for the Lakers.
Bryant made five 3-pointers, leaving him one shy of 1,000 for his career.
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