Pierce's triple-double leads Celtics over Pacers

[December 20, 2010]  BOSTON (AP) -- Paul Pierce had his seventh career triple-double and Boston extended its winning streak to 13 games by holding off the Indiana Pacers 99-88 on Sunday.

Pierce finished with 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double since 2006, and the Celtics got a boost from the return of Shaquille O'Neal, who had 11 points after missing four straight games with a sore right calf.

Ray Allen added 18 points, scoring 12 in the second half, and Kevin Garnett finished with nine points and nine rebounds for the Celtics, who improved to 12-1 at home.

Danny Granger led Indiana with 18 points. Roy Hibbert added 17 points and 14 rebounds for the pesky Pacers, who hung with the Celtics until the final few minutes.

The Pacers made just 34 of 96 shots, but only had 13 turnovers to Boston's 18 and were almost able to keep up with the bigger Celtics in rebounding.

Nate Robinson added 18 points for Boston, starting at point guard because Rajon Rondo missed his second game with a sprained left ankle. Glen Davis also scored 18 for the Celtics, who haven't lost in nearly a month.

Boston finally broke it open with a spurt late in the fourth quarter after Indiana pulled within 85-81. Davis and Allen each hit jumpers, then Allen made one of the plays of the day to wilt any hopes the Pacers may have had about another comeback.

Darren Collison burned Robinson with a crossover in the lane, passed it back outside and Allen was there to pluck it away and break for the basket. He crossed up Mike Dunleavy with a dribble in the lane and banked in a reverse layup that gave the Celtics a 91-83 lead with 3:11 left.

The Celtics were playing their second straight game without Rondo, who is out indefinitely with a sprained left ankle.

NOTES: O'Neal hadn't played since Dec. 8 against Denver. ... Boston's last loss was Nov. 21 at Toronto. ... The Celtics closed the first period on a 9-2 run for a 30-23 lead.

[Associated Press]

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