Spurs record ninth straight win
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BOSTON — Tim Duncan had 10 points and 16 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs won their ninth straight game, recovering to beat the Boston Celtics 87-86 on Wednesday night after blowing a 17-point, first-half lead.
Duncan also stopped Paul Pierce on the final play, forcing him into a fallaway jumper that bounced off the rim at the buzzer.
Danny Green scored 14 points, and Gary Neal had 13, including a 3-pointer with 2 minutes left that gave the Spurs the lead after Boston went on a 13-4 run to move in front.
Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 11 assists for Boston. The Celtics had won five in a row.
Pierce had 15 points and 10 rebounds, but he couldn’t maneuver into open space after Boston inbounded the ball with 7.9 seconds left. Duncan stayed on him, forcing Pierce to step back near the top of the key for a floater that clanged harmlessly off the rim.
Avery Bradley scored 19 points off the bench for Boston, and Kevin Garnett had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Ray Allen returned after missing six games with a sore right ankle and added seven rebounds and five points, including a 3-pointer in the final minute that brought Boston within a point.
Pacers 109, Wizards 96
WASHINGTON — Danny Granger scored 20 points, and Indiana won its third straight game, shooting a season-high 58 percent in a victory over Washington.
Darren Collison added 17 points and 11 assists for Indiana. The Pacers have won eight of 11 to move into third place in the Eastern Conference.
Jordan Crawford scored 28 points, and Kevin Seraphin had a career-high 19 points and added 10 rebounds for Washington. The Wizards have lost eight of nine.
Raptors 99, 76ers 78
PHILADELPHIA — Andrea Bargnani scored 24 points, DeMar DeRozan had 18 and Toronto beat Philadelphia for its third straight victory.
Elton Brand and Jrue Holiday had 20 points each for Philadelphia. The 76ers have lost eight of 12 games to fall to seventh in the Eastern Conference.
Hawks 120, Bobcats 93
ATLANTA — Josh Smith scored 24 points, Jeff Teague added 17 and Atlanta beat Charlotte.
