Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008

TORONTO (AP) With Rajon Rondo running at full speed, the Boston Celtics' offense has found a new gear.

Ray Allen scored 21 points and Boston led from the start in winning its fifth straight game, 118-103 over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Tony Allen each scored 15 points for the Celtics, who have won 11 of 12 since a Nov. 1 loss to Indiana.

"Our offense carried us tonight and we executed on all cylinders," Rondo said.

Kendrick Perkins had 12 points and Paul Pierce and Eddie House each had 11 in helping Boston score a season high. Its previous best was 110 points in a Nov. 18 victory over New York.

Coach Doc Rivers credited Rondo for relentlessly pushing the ball.

"I thought his speed was the factor of the game," Rivers said. "It set the tables for everyone else to get in. He's done that three or four games in a row and we're winning by big margins and I really believe that's the reason."

Rondo was reluctant to run at first, so Rivers had to press the message home.

"I told him that his speed, every night, has to be the factor of the game," Rivers said. "That makes people have to play him. Early in the year, everyone was playing off of him because we were walking the ball up the floor and not doing anything. Now, with his speed, you've got to stay with him."

Now in his third season, Rondo said he's more confident with the high pace than he was last season.

"I think I'm 10 times better," Rondo said. "I've been working, trying to continue to learn the game. It's just part of growing as a young player, knowing when and when not to attack."

Continued reinforcement from Rivers has taught Rondo one thing.

"When guys are backpedaling, it's tough to defend a guy that's coming full speed at you," Rondo said.

Lakers 118, Kings 108

In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, Andrew Bynum had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Lakers improved the NBA's best record to 11-1.

All five Los Angeles starters reached double figures in points by the third quarter, and eight players finished with 10 or more as the defending Western Conference champions won for the fourth straight time since losing to Detroit at home.

Timberwolves 106, Pistons 80

In Auburn Hills, Mich., Randy Foye had 23 points and a career-high 14 assists, and the Timberwolves beat the Pistons for its first road victory of the season.

Minnesota came into the game with a 2-9 record, including 0-5 on the road, but dominated a lethargic Detroit, which has lost three of four. The Pistons fell to 4-5 since Allen Iverson joined the team on Nov. 7.

Nuggets 114, Bulls 101

In Denver, Kenyon Martin scored 26 points, Carmelo Anthony had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and the Nuggets beat the Bulls.

Chauncey Billups and Nene also added 21 points as Denver moved to 8-2 since the acquisition of Billups. The Nuggets closed the game out on an 18-2 spurt.

76ers 89, Warriors 81

In Philadelphia, Elton Brand had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Andre Iguodala added 15 points and the Sixers moved above .500 for the first time this season by beating the Warriors.

Thaddeus Young contributed 12 points and Samuel Dalembert had 16 rebounds for Philadelphia, which improved to 7-6 and snapped a five-game losing streak to Golden State.

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