Kevin Garnett’s followed Rajon Rondo’s advice perfectly.
“I told KG to take us home down the stretch,” Rondo said. “I said, `Make something happen.’ He said, `No problem.”’
Garnett led Boston to its 16th straight victory Wednesday night, scoring 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to help the Celtics beat Atlanta 88-85.
Garnett was 5-for-5 from the field in the fourth after opening 2-for-10.
“We want to play championship basketball. That’s what we’re building up to. Our goal is to win a championship,” Garnett said. “You play your role around here. You do your job. You do what you’re supposed to.”
In other NBA games Wednesday night, it was: New Orleans 90, San Antonio 83; Utah 103, New Jersey 92; Cleveland 93, Minnesota 70; Chicago 115, the Los Angeles Clippers 109 in overtime; Philadelphia 93, Milwaukee 88; Indiana 127, Golden State 120; Detroit 88, Washington 74; and Dallas 96, Toronto 86.
In Atlanta, Paul Pierce added 18 points, and Ray Allen had 16 for Boston, a franchise-best 24-2. The Celtics – 10-1 on the road and 14-1 at home – are two wins away from tying the franchise record of 18 straight set in 1981-82.
“Sometimes it seems as though it’s a burden. That monkey grows. It’s a good monkey though,” Allen said. “I’ve never been on a streak like this. It’s great to be a part of our winning here. I think our winning is based on our preparation.”
After Atlanta’s Joe Johnson missed the second of two free throws with 2.7 seconds left, Allen made two free throws with 0.7 seconds to go for Boston.
Johnson led Atlanta with 20 points, 10 in the final period. He was 7-of-7 from the line before the miss. Marvin Williams added 16 points.
“I had a chance to get us into overtime and missed the second free throw. I made the first one and some of the pressure was off,” Johnson said.
In the only other game this season between the teams, the Celtics won 103-102 on Nov. 12 in Boston on Pierce’s last-second basket. Last season in the playoffs, Boston beat Atlanta 4-3 in the first round en route to the NBA title. The home team won all seven games in the series.
Hornets 90, Spurs 83
At New Orleans, Chris Paul set an NBA record with a steal in his 106th straight regular-season game and had 19 points and 12 assists to lead the Hornets.
Paul broke Alvin Robertson’s NBA mark – which stood since 1986 – when he deflected and quickly corralled an attempted pass by Tony Parker late in the second quarter.
eficit in the last 5 minutes. Parker led San Antonio with 20 points, and Tim Duncan had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Jazz 103, Nets 92
At East Rutherford, N.J., Deron Williams had 17 points and 11 assists, and Utah overcame a seven-point first quarter.
Mehmet Okur had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Paul Millsap added 18 points and 12 rebounds for his 13th straight double-double. The Jazz played without Carlos Boozer for the 15th straight game because of a strained left quadriceps, then lost coach Jerry Sloan after he picked up two technical fouls early in the fourth quarter.
Vince Carter scored 32 points for New Jersey.
Cavaliers 93, Timberwolves 70
At Minneapolis, LeBron James scored 32 points on 14-of-20 shooting, and Cleveland sent Minnesota to its 11th straight loss.
The Cavs were coming off a loss in Atlanta on Saturday night that ended their winning streak at 11. They improved to 21-4, the exact opposite of Minnesota’s record.
Al Jefferson led the Wolves with 20 points.
Bulls 115, Clippers 109, OT
At Chicago, Derrick Rose converted a decisive three-point play in overtime, and Ben Gordon made a four-point play with 20.5 seconds left in regulation for Chicago.
Gordon and Andres Nocioni each scored 22 points to help Chicago improve to 9-3 at home. The Bulls scored the final nine points in overtime.
gh 27 rebounds and scored 19 points, and Zach Randolph finished with 30 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
76ers 93, Bucks 88
At Philadelphia, Lou Williams matched his career high with 25 points, Andre Miller added 19, and Philadelphia overcame the loss of forward Elton Brand.
Brand dislocated his right shoulder with 7:23 left in the third quarter after landing on Milwaukee’s Luc Mbah a Moute.
The Sixers improved to 11-14 overall and 2-0 under interim coach Tony DiLeo. DiLeo replaced the fired Maurice Cheeks on Saturday.
Luke Ridnour and Charlie Bell had 14 points each for Milwaukee.
Pacers 127, Warriors 120
At Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 17 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter, made all 17 of his free throws and had 11 rebounds and six assists for Indiana.
Jarrett Jack scored 24 points, and Marquis Daniels added 23. Jamal Crawford had 29 points for Golden State.
Pistons 88, Wizards 74
At Auburn Hills, Mich., Allen Iverson scored 28 points, and Rodney Stuckey added 18 points and matched his career high with 11 assists in Detroit’s third win in a row.
Mike James scored 16 points for Washington, an Eastern Conference-worst 4-19.
Mavericks 96, Raptors 86
At Toronto, Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Jason Terry also scored 27 points for Dallas. Jermaine O’Neal had 19 points for Toronto.
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