Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (left) makes a pass while being defended by Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger during their NBA game in Indianapolis on Tuesday night. Boston won 101-86. - AP
NEW YORK (Reuters):
THE UNDEFEATED Boston Celtics matched their best start to a season for 20 years, notching a sixth-straight win with a 101-86 road victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night.
Paul Pierce led the way with 31 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and was 14-for-14 from the foul line as the Celtics equalled the franchise's best start since 1987-88 in remaining the only team yet to lose this season.
Boston's best start is 14-0, set in 1957-58.
"I have a great cast around me," said Pierce, whose team acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in trades during the off-season.
Good guys
"These guys are fun to be around. Not just as basketball players, but also good guys off the court.
"You know you can't win all the games, but when you have a locker room like this, it makes it easier."
Garnett had 18 points and 11 rebounds and has had a double-double in all six games. Allen scored 15 points in the third quarter after being held scoreless in the first half.
At one point during the second quarter, Pierce was angered by a hard foul by Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley and did push-ups on the court between his free throws to taunt the Indiana crowd.
"I was a little frustrated," Pierce said. "I thought it was a flagrant foul. I got hit on the back of the head.
"I tried to use it to fire up my teammates."
The game was tied at the time and Pierce scored 13 points before the end of the half to put Boston in control.
"They are a terrific team," Indiana coach Jim O'Brien said.
The Celtics trailed by six points on three different occasions in the first quarter, their largest deficit of the season. They have only won one game by fewer than 10 points.
"It was a good win," Boston coach Doc Rivers said.
"I don't think it was a good game by either team. We just keep seeking the right combinations."
Danny Granger led the Pacers with 24 points and seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, Pau Gasol scored 26 points, including four free throws in the final minute, and the Memphis Grizzlies overcame 41 points by Tracy McGrady and 22 by Yao Ming to end Houston's three-game winning streak with a 105-99 home win.
Rashard Lewis scored 22 points against his former team and the Orlando Magic kept the Seattle Supersonics winless with a 103-76 home victory.
The San Antonio Spurs took care of the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 107-92 as Tony Parker had 26 points and nine assists and Bruce Bowen scored 23 points. Kobe Bryant had 18 for the Lakers, well below his 30.4 scoring average.
