Ray Allen leads Celtics to 103-99 win over Rockets

[November 05, 2008]  HOUSTON (AP) -- Boston's Big 3 outplayed Houston's trio of stars Tuesday night. Ray Allen scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds and the Celtics shut down Ron Artest and Yao Ming in a 103-99 victory over the Rockets.

Tracy McGrady scored 26 points for Houston and tried to rally the Rockets (3-1) down the stretch against the defending NBA champions

The Celtics led 101-97 when McGrady rose for a 3-pointer and was fouled by Tony Allen. McGrady landed awkwardly and grabbed his sore left knee as Boston coach Doc Rivers protested the call, claiming McGrady was trying to pass.

Referees reviewed the play as McGrady walked off the blow to his knee. He was given three foul shots and made two, cutting Boston's lead to 101-99.

Eddie House hit two free throws at the other end with 9.6 seconds remaining. Brent Barry then shot an airball and Garnett caught it to secure the win.

Paul Pierce added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics (3-1). Yao went 4-for-14 from the field and scored eight points, while Artest missed 13 of 16 shots and scored 15.

Since acquiring Artest in the offseason, the Rockets have boldly talked about contending for the NBA title. The Celtics proved Houston still has a ways to go.

Yao, Artest and McGrady went a combined 0-for-8 to start the fourth quarter and the Celtics led 93-86 with 3 1/2 minutes left. McGrady converted a three-point play, but Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer at the other end. McGrady then hit a shorter shot and Ray Allen answered again.

Luis Scola scored twice to cut Boston's lead to 98-95. Out of a timeout, Garnett swished a shot from the wing with 59.6 seconds left and McGrady missed a long jumper on Houston's next trip down.

The Celtics ended the Rockets' 22-game winning streak last season with a 94-74 win at the Toyota Center on March 18. Yao missed that game with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Houston feels more equipped to win games like this with defensive specialist Artest. He guarded Pierce from the opening tip and stole the ball on Boston's second possession. Yao, guarded by 6-foot-10 Kendrick Perkins, had a dunk and two hook shots in the first five minutes as Houston took the early lead.

But Yao went to the bench with his second foul with 6:35 left in the quarter and the Celtics went on a 15-4 run, hitting seven of nine shots. Pierce scored only four points in the first quarter, but Rajon Rondo had 10 and Boston led 28-22.

Yao returned with 10:52 left in the first half. With Yao backing off, Glen Davis grabbed an offensive rebound and scored, part of a 15-5 Celtics run. Davis converted a three-point play, drawing Yao's third foul, to put Boston up 43-27 with 7:56 remaining in the half.

Yao went out again and the smaller Rockets' lineup mounted a 25-4 run, sinking nine straight shots, including three 3-pointers. The Celtics hit only one field goal and committed three turnovers in the five-minute stretch, and Aaron Brooks' jumper put Houston ahead 52-47.

Ray Allen stopped the Rockets' run with a three-point play and swished a 3-pointer on the next possession to put the Celtics back in front. Pierce hit a 3-pointer in the final minute and Boston led 58-53 at the break.

Yao missed five of his first six shots after halftime, including a dunk, and Boston stayed in front. McGrady dived into the first row to make a save and start a fast break, then he made a steal and drove for a layup.

But the Celtics hit 11 of 16 shots in the third quarter and were up 81-78 heading into the fourth.

Notes: The Celtics outrebounded Houston 46-41. ... Perkins scored 15 points. ... Brooks scored 12 for the Rockets, but starting point guard Rafer Alston had an off night, going 1-for-6 from the field and scoring four points. ... Houston guard Steve Francis, out with a knee injury, arrived at the arena wearing a red velvet sport jacket with "Barack Obama" spelled on the back in sequins. Francis said he would try to attend Obama's presidential inauguration. "Today is a transitional day in my career and everybody else's career," he said before the game.

[Associated Press; By CHRIS DUNCAN]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.