News 12/27

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1141440&format=text

Celtics lose their way
California no dream as Green drop second straight

By Steve Bulpett | Saturday, December 27, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
OAKLAND, Calif. - While countless holiday travelers had their luggage misplaced this week, the Celtics [team stats] appear to have lost something else on their trip west.

Their mojo.

When they left Boston late Wednesday night, they were undeniably the best and hottest team in the NBA. But it’s taken just two days out here for the Celts to lose their air of invincibility. Not to mention two games.

One night after seeing their 19-game winning streak slip into the Pacific somewhere around Los Angeles, the Celtics watched an 11-point lead with 13 minutes remaining dissolve into a 99-89 loss to Golden State.

That would be the now 9-22 Warriors.

If you’re keeping track, the Celts have accomplished in two games what it took them the first 29 to do - namely to lose twice.

To fall here, the Celtics needed a major collapse. Allowing the Warriors 35 points in the last quarter certainly would qualify. Stephen Jackson had 15 points in the period while the C’s were making just 6-of-20 shots.

“I was worried at halftime when I saw we were shooting 56 percent, they were shooting 39 and it was just a 12-point game (51-39),” C’s coach Doc Rivers said. “I was really concerned with the game. My whole thought was if it got close we had no legs. I could see that.”

And as was the case against the Lakers, turnovers were again a major problem. The Celtics gave the rock up 23 times last night, leading to 27 Golden State points.

It all happened without Kendrick Perkins [stats], who was a late scratch with a left shoulder strain suffered in the first quarter of Thursday’s loss in LA. Leon Powe was the territorial pick to start in Perkins’ place, and the Oakland native and Cal product celebrated his familiarity with 12 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes.

But things were crumbling all around him by the end.

The Celtics really should have put the Warriors out of their misery in the third quarter. The only thing stopping them was . . . them. It took the C’s nearly half the period to miss a shot, but getting that far in the process seemed to be a problem as they turned the ball over five times in less than five minutes.

The Warriors got 12 points from eight Celtics turnovers in the period and were within a reasonable 72-64 entering the final frame. But beginning with a Marco Belinelli trey at the end of the third quarter, the Warriors fashioned an 18-6 run that took them all the way back from as many as 14 down to a 79-78 lead.

“I just didn’t think we could get control of it with our defense,” said Paul Pierce [stats], the C’s top man with 21 points. “We allowed too much dribble penetration. That’s just not the way we play defense. I thought we gambled a lot and it opened up their 3-point game.”

The margin got to 87-78 before the C’s spoke up with a Kevin Garnett three-point play. But they couldn’t steer out of this skid.

“I thought the turning point was when we had to sub Kevin out (late in the third quarter),” Rivers said. “There was a five-minute stretch where we couldn’t hold the lead. Once they start making shots it’s tough to turn them off. And we couldn’t make anything.”

Perkins’ absence is expected to be a one-game deal - and more comforting to the Celts, it does not appear to be directly related to the dislocated shoulder he suffered in Game 4 of the Finals against the Lakers that required surgery over the summer. Perkins took a hit as Luke Walton was blocking his shot Thursday, and he thought after the game he’d have no problem playing here. But the shoulder was sore when he awoke.

“It kind of caught me off-guard,” Rivers said of the injury. “I knew he hurt it (Thursday) night and I knew he’d get treatment this afternoon, but I just assumed that he would play.”

[FLCeltsFan]

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Defeat reveals big problem

By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Notebook | Saturday, December 27, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
OAKLAND, Calif. - Doc Rivers didn’t change his opinion after losing in Los Angeles Thursday. He’s always liked having tall people on his team and said as much after watching Pau Gasol get good looks and Andrew Bynum alter shots against his team.

But as the Celtics [team stats] continue to search for some length to complement Leon Powe and Glen Davis off the bench, there was nothing encouraging on the Dikembe Mutombo front. The free agent said he’d be making a decision on a team soon, but the Celts may be holding off for someone with a more balanced game as they mainly see Mutombo as a contributor on the defensive end.

“No, I don’t think we’re going to get him,” said Rivers. “We talked to David (Falk, Mutombo’s agent) and I would say it’s a no.

“We would love him, but we’re going to wait it out.”

The Celts haven’t given up on P.J. Brown coming back, but at this point Danny Ainge believes Brown’s not coming out of retirement. Then again, Ainge thought the same thing at this time last year.

Alonzo Mourning’s name is still being floated, but an even more intriguing property could be available soon. There is talk Oklahoma City may buy out Joe Smith’s contract, and that the club is at least serious about trading him.

The Celtics can’t and won’t discuss him publicly, but at a lanky 6-foot-10, Smith would seem to fit the club’s need.

Said one NBA scout, “Are you kidding me? Joe Smith would be perfect for the Celtics.”

Reluctant Warrior

Patrick O’Bryant never lived up to expectations - his or the team’s - during his two-year stay with the Warriors, but the C’s backup center made a nice move by accepting responsibility.

“Obviously I’d like to prove to them that I’m better than what they thought I was,” he said. “But I think I messed up those two years myself. I’ve got to take a lot of the blame for that. Now I’ve just got to take it as a learning experience and try to grow from there.”

Asked to expand on “messed up” the ninth overall pick in the 2006 draft said, “Just work ethic, messing up sometimes.”

O’Bryant has spent his first season with the Celtics at the end of the bench. If the 7-footer could crack the rotation, the club wouldn’t be in the market for those mentioned above.

Cassell still counts

Rivers likes to joke about Sam Cassell, but he’s found him an even more valuable asset than expected.

“I love him on the bench whether we use him or not,” Rivers said. “To me he’s more a part of the coaching staff than one of the players right now for us because of his knowledge and the way he helps us with the other guys.” . . .

Powe is a hero in these parts, having survived homelessness and the foster care system to play at Cal and now with the Celtics. And his legacy will be even greater as he opens Fresh Start Mentoring Services, a nonprofit that will help those in foster care aged 14-21 transition to life beyond the system.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1141439&format=text

Fall to Los Angeles Lakers blessing in disguise
Just what Doc ordered

By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Beat | Saturday, December 27, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
OAKLAND, Calif. - The team from Boston looked out of place Thursday - and not just because there were palm trees swaying in the Christmas Day wind. The Celtics [team stats] simply weren’t where they were supposed to be on far too many occasions in their loss to the Lakers.

Coach Doc Rivers cursed all the uncontested shots his team gave up - “That may be a by-product of winning games,” he said - and while they are still regarded as the tougher of the two teams, the Celts fell meekly in the final minutes, choosing to verbally battle each other rather than physically deal with LA.

But as unpleasant as this had to be for Greenhearts to stomach with their holiday feast, the 92-83 defeat may have been just what the Doc ordered.

With their grand record and the winning streak pushing toward 19 earlier this week, Rivers sounded rather foolish to some as he found fault with his team. He went as far as to say he didn’t believe it was even as good as last year’s edition because the bench had yet to play well consistently.

Many, however, just chalked it up to coachspeak.

At some point these guys were going to need a reminder that beating the better teams takes more than a brilliant quarter or half. Even stars can sometimes get a bit too big for their britches, and the way the Celtics moved away from their passing game and defensive principles Thursday proved that the best team in the league isn’t infallible.

No one likes to lose rivalry games, and the Celts certainly were angry to have watched the Lakers, improved though they may be, dancing off the court.

The fact this was a bigger deal for LA can’t be questioned.

The C’s were through the tunnel to their own dressing room as esteemed PA announcer Lawrence Tanter twice noted to the lingering crowd that the Lakers had ended the Celtics’ 19-game winning streak. He mentioned, as well, that LA’s record 33-game streak from the 1971-72 season was safe.

After getting busted by 39 points in the clinching Game 6 of The Finals last June, the Lakers did more than save a little face on Christmas; they actually gave C’s fans a gift that may not be so evident just yet.

Think about it: Had the Celts slapped them silly at Staples Center, would the rivalry be as much fun? Sure, Sox followers would take perverse pleasure in watching the Yankees go 0-162, but aren’t you even more excited about the Celtics-Lakers rematch Feb. 5 at the Garden now that you know the battle has truly been engaged?

The only Celtics solace for the moment is that they played poorly and were still ahead with less than four minutes left. But this is about two things: the C’s understanding what they need to be better and the people who follow them getting to revel in the competitive drama as the episodes appear.

Rivers was on the mark afterward.

“Before the game it was a big game,” he said. “During the game it was a big game. Now it’s one of 82.”

But if the Celtics can learn from it, it will be a large “one.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/12/27/late_surge_leaves_celtics_stunned?mode=PF

Late surge leaves Celtics stunned
Warriors hand champs 2d straight loss
By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | December 27, 2008

OAKLAND, Calif. - The morning after the Celtics' franchise-best 19-game winning streak came to an end against the rival Lakers, coach Doc Rivers simply told his team to get over it by starting a new streak. Unfortunately for Rivers, the streak is going in the wrong direction as Boston has lost two straight games for the first time this season.

The defending champion Celtics fell to the lowly Golden State Warriors, 99-89, before a sold-out crowd of 19,596 at Oracle Arena last night. The Warriors (9-22) have won five straight games against Boston here and 12 of the last 15. Boston (27-4) dropped to 0-2 on its four-game West Coast road trip after going cold offensively in the second half. The Celtics lost two straight regular-season games for the first time since March 22-24.

"We're not going to sit back and say that we're surprised," said Celtics guard Ray Allen, who had 7 points, 0 assists, and fouled out. "This is what can happen every night against any team that we play."

Paul Pierce scored a team-high 21 points but no other Celtic reached 15 points. Warriors forward Stephen Jackson scored a game-high 28 points while guard Marco Belinelli added 22. Boston was outscored, 60-38, in the second half. The Warriors were without injured starters Jamal Crawford and Corey Maggette.

The Celtics didn't see the loss to the Lakers as a factor last night.

"We just lost the game," Rivers said. "We just lost. We're not going to make a big deal of this stuff. We lost a basketball game. A game on paper obviously we should win. That's it."

Eddie House credited Golden State's effort.

"They're all professionals over there," he said. "It's not like we are playing against guys who are college-caliber cats. They are pros over there."

Boston led, 51-39, at halftime after shooting 55.6 percent from the field. But despite the early offensive success, Rivers was uncomfortable, especially given his team was playing for the second straight day.

"I was worried at halftime," Rivers said. "When I saw that we were shooting 56 percent and they were shooting 39 and it was just a 12-point game, I was really concerned about the game. My whole thought that if it gets close, [we have] no legs. And you can see that. I was really concerned at halftime."

The Celtics were up by as many as 14 points before going into the fourth quarter with a 72-64 lead. But the Warriors opened the quarter with a 10-2 run to trim Boston's lead to 76-74 after a 3-pointer by Kelenna Azubuike with 7:47 left. A Jackson 3-pointer awakened the crowd and brought Golden State within 78-77 with 7:05 left.

A Ronny Turiaf putback with 6:02 left gave the Warriors a 79-78 lead, the home team's first advantage since 4-2. A Belinelli jumper off the glass pushed Golden State ahead, 84-78, with 4:55 remaining. Allen fouled Jackson on a 3-point attempt and Jackson nailed the subsequent free throws to give the Warriors a comfortable lead (87-78).

"There was about a 4-5-minute span where the game shifted," said House, who scored 10 points. "And once it shifted, it was hard for us to even try to think about getting it back. We were trying and trying, but could never get it back. Give them all the credit."

Kevin Garnett's 3-point play with 3:09 left trimmed Golden State's lead to 87-81 and Rajon Rondo's lay-in brought Boston within 87-83. Two straight jumpers by C.J. Watson, however, pushed the Warriors ahead, 93-84, and put the Celtics behind the eight-ball.

House's 3-pointer trimmed Boston's deficit to 93-87 with 1:17 remaining. Garnett (14 points, four rebounds) tossed up a desperation 3-pointer that didn't fall with 37.9 seconds remaining and Jackson nailed two free throws to seal the rare Warriors win.

"The guys that played, played really well and did the right thing and made the extra pass," Warriors coach Don Nelson said.

The Warriors outscored Boston, 35-17, in the fourth quarter by holding the visitors to 30 percent shooting and forcing six turnovers. Jackson scored 15 points and nailed two 3-pointers in the fourth.

Jackson couldn't hide his excitement.

"We played hard," he said. "We found a way to get it done against a great team. We just fought the whole game and it shows that when we play hard and stay together good things will happen."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/12/27/perkins_sidelined_by_sore_shoulder?mode=PF

Perkins sidelined by sore shoulder
Celtic calls injury 'nothing serious'
By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | December 27, 2008

OAKLAND, Calif. - While a shoulder injury is always a concern for Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics center said his latest one is "nothing serious."

Perkins missed last night's 99-89 loss to Golden State because of a sprained left shoulder. The 6-foot-10-inch, 264-pound Perkins suffered the injury during the first quarter of a Christmas Day loss to the Lakers and opted not to play after waking up with an "extra sore" shoulder. While Perkins is listed as day to day, he expects to return to action tomorrow at Sacramento.

"I'm just going off feel right now," said Perkins, who played in Boston's first 30 games. "I probably could play if it was the playoffs or something. It's a back-to-back. I just felt like I needed to have a few days to rest. It's a little sore more than anything. It's nothing serious."

Perkins said he returned to action two months earlier than the expected five months following left shoulder surgery, but hasn't had any issues. Perkins had arthroscopic surgery July 2 to repair the shoulder that hampered him during the NBA Finals and caused him to miss Game 5. It was the second shoulder operation of Perkins's Celtics career.

"It just kind of spasmed up on me," Perkins said. "That's expected. The doctor said I wasn't all the way cleared. It's been five months. I came back in three. He said it was expected. Sometimes you get hit and you just got to fight through it. It ain't nothing that is going to hurt now. I'm just icing it for precaution."

Perkins is still rehabbing his shoulder during the season with weight training and exercises.

"I have to make sure I take care of it all season," Perkins said. "I can't take any days off."


Holiday homecoming
When the Celtics' schedule was released, Leon Powe was disappointed his homecoming game was the end of a back-to-back sequence. But the Oakland native also got an unexpected opportunity to spend two days with family and friends over Christmas.

The Celtics played the Lakers Christmas Day, and arrived at their next destination, San Francisco, that evening. From the hotel, Powe drove across the Bay Bridge to Oakland and Richmond to visit with family and friends. The Celtics stayed in San Francisco last night, giving Powe more time at home before the team travels to Sacramento today.

"It means everything to me," said Powe, who had 12 points and seven rebounds in the loss. "I look forward to this trip always. I get to see my family and friends, especially my brothers and sisters. They're always watching every game. They don't get to see me a lot [during the season]. It's just a blessing to get to see them and spend some time with them.

"I didn't think I was going to get to be there that long. But I got a little leeway in the time schedule. I was happy about that because I was going to get to see my little brothers and sisters and spend time with my family and friends."

Powe is averaging 7 points and 3.9 rebounds. The 6-foot-9-inch, 240-pounder will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

When asked if his friends and family in the Bay Area ask him about playing for the Warriors, Powe smiled before saying: "No. They're happy with the team I'm on and whatever team I'm playing for."


O'Bryant improving
While center Patrick O'Bryant still isn't playing much in his first year as a Celtic, he is more accepting of his situation with Boston than he was with Golden State.

O'Bryant was selected by the Warriors with the ninth overall pick in the 2006 draft, but he rarely played during his two seasons with Golden State. Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Chris Mullin felt O'Bryant needed to dramatically improve his work ethic, and let the 7-footer become a free agent last summer.

"You always want to do well when you leave," said O'Bryant, who did not play last night. "Especially since it wasn't a great two years that I spent there . . . I wish I could've played more, plain and simple. I may have messed up some opportunities. I can't always say I didn't have opportunities."

The Celtics signed O'Bryant to a two-year, $3 million contract but he has played sparingly, averaging 1.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 12 games. But the fact the Celtics have such talented big men in front of him makes riding the bench for the defending NBA champs easier to deal with.

"There are three Hall of Famers," said O'Bryant. "You have two other guys that should be in the All-Star hunt. You got a championship second team. It's a hard rotation to crack . . . It's great. I'm on a team that [has the NBA's top record]. It's a great feeling to be on a winning team."

Assistant coach Clifford Ray, a former Warriors star, has been working with O'Bryant. Ray has helped the careers of other big men, such as Perkins, Powe, Glen Davis, and Orlando All-Star Dwight Howard.


High marks
Thursday's NBA Finals rematch on ABC earned a 5.3 national rating, according to the network, the highest-rated regular-season NBA game in four years. Boston was the top market with a 12.2 rating, while Los Angeles was 11.8.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2008/12/27/timberwolves_snap_13_game_losing_streak?mode=PF
Timberwolves snap 13-game losing streak
By Associated Press | December 27, 2008

Kevin McHale turned to prayer, though it wasn't really needed. The combination of Al Jefferson inside and some sizzling 3-point shooting was more than enough.

The Timberwolves snapped a 13-game losing streak and won for the first time this season under McHale, getting a season-best 23 points from Rashad McCants in a 120-107 victory over the Knicks last night in New York.

"The guys have been playing hard and we really needed this one," McHale said. "At the end of the game I said, 'Thank God,' and I meant it."

Jefferson added 21 points and 15 rebounds in the Timberwolves' first victory since beating Oklahoma City Nov. 28. They had dropped their first eight games under McHale, who took over when Randy Wittman was fired Dec. 8.

Sebastian Telfair finished with a season-high 20 points in his hometown and Randy Foye had 19 for the Wolves, who overran New York by using the Knicks' primary weapon, the 3-pointer. They came in 28th in the league in 3-point percentage and were making 4.6 per game - 6.0 fewer than New York's league-best average - but made a season-best 13 in 24 attempts (54 percent).

Nate Robinson and Al Harrington each scored 26 points for the Knicks, who lost their fifth straight. Wilson Chandler scored 19, but New York allowed its highest point total ever against Minnesota.

A disappointed coach Mike D'Antoni criticized his players for a lack of concentration and was asked what the Wolves did to look so good offensively.

"Nothing really," he said. "They just stood there and took wide-open shots. We just were really bad defensively."

Heat 90, Bulls 77 - Dwyane Wade scored 28 points and Daequan Cook hit three big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as host Miami pulled away, and the Heat eclipsed last season's win total by beating Chicago.

Mario Chalmers had 16 points and six assists while Michael Beasley - the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, after the Bulls chose Derrick Rose (10 points, 3-of-14 shooting) - scored 8 of his 14 points in the fourth for Miami, which won its fourth straight.

These teams don't meet again until Feb. 12. By then, the critical moment of this game may be remembered as the one with 30.9 seconds remaining.

With a 13-point lead, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra called a 20-second timeout to get Chalmers, Wade, and Udonis Haslem out of the game. Some Bulls players and coaches were livid, and were still steaming afterward.

"That is something only done to disrespect the opponent," said Bull Andres Nocioni.

Spoelstra defended the move afterward, denying there was anything untoward about the decision. "I don't why they're all fired up," he said. "I wanted to get our guys out . . . just in case something crazy would happen."

Ben Gordon led the Bulls with 15 points.

Nuggets 105, 76ers 101 - Kenyon Martin took a bounce pass from Chauncey Billups and drove for the go-ahead dunk with nine seconds left to lift host Denver past Philadelphia.

Andre Iguodala of the 76ers got called for traveling on the next possession and Andre Miller got called for a technical foul with 2.9 seconds left. Billups made the free throw, then Chucky Atkins made two more to push the lead to 4 and seal Philadelphia's third straight loss.

J.R. Smith hit seven 3-pointers en route to a game-high 27 points for the Nuggets, who trailed by as many as 17 midway through the third quarter and needed a season-high 15 3-pointers to avoid their fifth loss in six games.

Pistons 90, Thunder 88 - Allen Iverson's off-balance runner with 0.2 seconds left gave host Detroit a victory over Oklahoma City.

After Iverson's jumper, Jeff Green nearly tipped in a halfcourt alley-oop, but the ball bounced twice off the rim before falling harmlessly away.

Iverson led the Pistons with 22 points. Kevin Durant had 26 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder.

Jazz 97, Mavericks 88 - Rookie Kosta Koufos scored a career-high 18 points and Deron Williams added 17 points and 13 assists as shorthanded Utah beat visiting Dallas.

The Jazz were without Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, and Mehmet Okur - their top three scorers and rebounders - but outran the weary Mavericks all game and ended Dallas's three-game winning streak.

Bobcats 95, Nets 87 - Raymond Felton scored 22 points, Emeka Okafor added 21, and visiting Charlotte won for the fourth time in five games.

Boris Diaw and Felton hit clutch late baskets as the Bobcats held on after a 15-point third-quarter lead dwindled to 2 points in the waning minutes.

Grizzlies 108, Pacers 105 - O.J. Mayo scored 18 points, including two key free throws with a second left, and host Memphis overcame an early 17-point deficit to beat Indiana.

Memphis took the lead with 7 unanswered points late in the game and held on to snap a four-game skid. The Pacers lost for the third time in their last four.

Hornets 88, Rockets 79 - Chris Paul had 26 points and 10 assists, and host New Orleans snapped a two-game skid with a victory over Houston.

Yao Ming had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, who dropped their second straight game.

Raptors 107, Kings 101 - Jermaine O'Neal scored 36 points in his highest-scoring game in two seasons and Toronto ended a 10-game losing streak in Sacramento.

[FLCeltsFan]

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Cs 3rd quarter @ Golden State
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff December 26, 2008 11:46 PM
New Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, who is from nearby Vallejo, was sitting courtside at the Celtics-Warriors game. The Celtics seem to be going through the motions a little bit in the third quarter. Real sloppy play. It's got to be tough to go from the emotions of playing the Lakers to playing the terrible, injury-riddled Warriors. I've always been intrigued by Warriors guard Marco Belinelli. The Italian kid can really shoot it and is hot against the Celtics right now. Not sure why Warriors coach Don Nelson hasn't been using this kid more.

Cs first @ Golden State
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff December 26, 2008 11:07 PM
Celtics center Kendrick Perkins missed his first game of the season with a strained left shoulder suffered in Thursday’s loss at the Lakers. Starting for the first time of the season in Perkins’s place was Oakland native Leon Powe. Powe didn’t know he was going to start until about 45 minutes before the game. The 6-foot-8-inch, 240-pounder seemed nervous at first after missing a jumper badly and clanging a dunk, but he settled down to have 7 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block in the first.
“It's always special,” Powe said. “If you are going to start, start at your house, in front of your family and friends. But you've still got a job to do, so you want to go out there and do your job.”
Celtics guard Eddie House nailed a 3-pointer late in the first after the ball bounced off referee Greg Willard to the Warriors' fans dismay. But Willard didn't count it, saying House stepped out of bounds.

Perkins out versus Warriors
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff December 26, 2008 10:15 PM
While a shoulder injury is always a concern for Celtics center Kendrick Perkins, he said the latest one is “nothing serious.”
Perkins will miss tonight’s game at Golden State and his first game of the season with a sprained left shoulder. The 6-foot-10-inch, 264-pounder suffered the injury during the first quarter of a Christmas Day game at the Lakers and opted not to play tonight after waking up in San Francisco with an “extra sore” shoulder. While Perkins is listed as day to day, he expects to return to action at Sacramento on Sunday. Oakland native Leon Powe is expected to start in place of Perkins. The Warriors will also be without starters Jamal Crawford (strained left groin) and Corey Maggette (strained left hamstring).

[FLCeltsFan]

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Celtics’ new streak now stands at two — losses

NBA ROUNDUP

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS




Warriors 99, Celtics 89
The defending champions were drained.

Stephen Jackson scored eight straight points during the decisive fourth-quarter stretch to finish with 28, and Golden State sent Boston to back-to-back losses for the first time this season by rallying past the visiting Celtics last night.

Paul Pierce had 21 points and five assists and Kevin Garnett scored 14, but the Celtics couldn’t hold a 14-point lead a day after their franchise-record 19-game winning streak ended with a nine-point loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles.


Boston (27-4) still must play at Sacramento tomorrow and at Portland on Tuesday to complete this West Coast swing before heading home.

Jackson scored 15 points in the final period and Marco Belinelli totaled 22 for the Warriors, who have won five straight and 12 of 15 against the Celtics at home. Golden State lost, 119-111, in Boston on Nov. 26 in the teams’ first meeting.

Kelenna Azubuike’s 3-pointer with 7:47 to play cut the Celtics’ lead to 76-74 before Ray Allen hit a floater on the other end. Jackson then scored eight straight points for Golden State. He followed Allen’s bucket with a 3 at 7:03, hit the go-ahead basket with 6:02 to play to make it 79-78, then made another 3 at 5:33.

After Eddie House’s 3 pulled Boston to 93-87 with 1:17 left, the Celtics had two misses and Jackson knocked down a pair of free throws with 36.2 seconds to go.

With Garnett and Rajon Rondo on the bench, Belinelli hit consecutive 3-pointers in the final minute of the third quarter for the Warriors, who trailed, 72-64, heading into the final period. Ronny Turiaf dunked for Golden State to start the fourth, pulling his team the closest it had been since late in the first quarter and delighting the Warriors’ second sellout crowd of the season.

Turiaf finished with 14 points and eight boards.

Rondo had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists to go with 7 turnovers. He shot just 3 for 11 against the Lakers for six points after scoring 26 and 18, respectively, in his two prior outings on a combined 19-of-26 shooting.

After Golden State pulled to 42-35 late in the first half, Allen answered with a 3 on the other end for his first points of the game and the Celtics led, 51-39, at the break.

Boston was minus starting center Kendrick Perkins, who injured his left shoulder in the first quarter Thursday. Local standout Leon Powe earned the start in Perkins’ place and finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Heat 90, Bulls 77
Dwyane Wade scored 28 points yesterday, Daequan Cook hit three big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as host Miami pulled away, and the Heat eclipsed last season’s win total.

Mario Chalmers had 16 points and six assists, while Michael Beasley — the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft, after the Bulls chose Derrick Rose — scored eight of his 14 points in the fourth for Miami (16-12), which won its fourth straight.

Timberwolves 120, Knicks 107
Visiting Minnesota snapped a 13-game losing streak and won for the first time this season under Kevin McHale while getting a season-best 23 points from Rashad McCants.

Al Jefferson added 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who rode the combination of Jefferson’s inside play and some sizzling 3-point shooting to win for the first time since beating Oklahoma City on Nov. 28. They had dropped their first eight games under McHale, who took over when Randy Wittman was fired Dec. 8.

Sebastian Telfair finished with a season-high 20 points, and Randy Foye had 19 for the Wolves, who overran New York by using the Knicks’ primary weapon, the 3-pointer. They came in 28th in the league in 3-point percentage and were making 4.6 per game — 6.0 fewer than New York’s league-best average — but made a season-best 13 in 24 attempts.

Bobcats 95, Nets 87
Raymond Felton scored 22 points, Emeka Okafor added 21, and visiting Charlotte won for the fourth time in five games.

Boris Diaw and Felton hit clutch late baskets as the Bobcats held on after seeing a 15-point third-quarter lead dwindle to two in the waning minutes.

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Pistons 90, Thunder 88
Allen Iverson’s off-balance runner with 0.2 seconds left gave Detroit a home win.

Detroit has won eight straight against the Thunder, and haven’t lost to them at the Palace since the then-Supersonics won, 93-72, on Dec. 12, 2003. The Pistons didn’t have an easy time yesterday, though, struggling to beat an Oklahoma City team that fell to 3-27 with the loss.

Hornets 88, Rockets 79
Chris Paul had 26 points and 10 assists as New Orleans snapped a two-game skid with a home win.

David West added 23 points for New Orleans, which led throughout. Tyson Chandler had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Rasual Butler scored 13 for the Hornets.

Yao Ming had 19 points and 12 rebounds for Houston, which dropped its second straight. Tracy McGrady was held to 11 points, missing nine of his 11 shots from the field.

Grizzlies 108, Pacers 105
O.J. Mayo scored 18 points, including two key free throws with a second left, and host Memphis overcame an early 17-point deficit.

Memphis took the lead with seven unanswered points late in the game and held on to snap a four-game skid. The Pacers lost for the third time in their last four games.

Hakim Warrick paced the Grizzlies with 21 points off the bench, and Darko Milicic scored a season-high 14. Rudy Gay finished with 13 points, and Mike Conley had 12.

Mayo added a career-high seven assists.

Jazz 97, Mavericks 88
Rookie Kosta Koufos scored a career-high 18 points, and Deron Williams added 17 points and 13 assists as short-handed Utah won at home.

The Jazz were without Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap and Mehmet Okur — their top three scorers and rebounders — but outran the weary Mavericks all game and ended Dallas’ three-game winning streak.

The Mavericks, who didn’t arrive in Utah until early yesterday after playing in Portland the night before, also lost Dirk Nowitzki early in the fourth quarter when the former MVP was called for a flagrant foul under the basket.