Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009

BOSTON (AP) Road-weary Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics couldn't miss on their comfortable homecourt.

Especially against the lowly Washington Wizards.

Behind Pierce's 26 points and nearly perfect shooting, the team with the best record in the NBA roared back from a rough road trip and beat the team with the worst record in the Eastern Conference 108-83 on Friday night.

The Celtics were determined to play well after going 1-3 on the West Coast.

"It always leaves a bad taste in your mouth," Pierce said. "Knowing that we're going to spend a large amount of this month on the road, it's good to get back home and finally get a taste of some winning."

After an overnight flight Wednesday morning, coach Doc Rivers figured his players might be tired Friday. But they took a 10-point lead with 4:15 left in the first quarter and stayed ahead by double digits the rest of the way.

"I asked a lot of guys this morning. They said they couldn't fall asleep (Thursday night) so I was concerned with the start," Rivers said. "They fought through it and they were great."

Boston struggled on its trip after the best 29-game start in NBA history, 27-2. The Celtics were in charge from the start Friday on their homecourt where they're 18-1.

"A buzz saw. A buzz saw," Wizards coach Ed Tapscott said. "They jumped on us."

Cavaliers 117, Bulls 92

In Cleveland, Anderson Varejao scored a career-high 26 points for the hosts, and LeBron James had 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season and the 18th of his career.

The Cavaliers, 17-0 at home this season, learned before the game that center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will miss a month because of a fractured bone in his left ankle. Ben Gordon scored 22 points for Chicago.

Lakers 113, Jazz 100

In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 40 points and the hosts beat Utah for their fifth straight win and 17th in 18 home games.

Pau Gasol added 21 points, giving him 10,001 for his career, and had 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who were coming off a four-day break.

Nets 93, Hawks 91 (OT)

In East Rutherford, N.J., Vince Carter hit a long 3-pointer at the buzzer in overtime and the Nets overcame a 20-point halftime deficit to end Atlanta's winning streak at six games.

Nuggets 122, Thunder 120

In Oklahoma City, Carmelo Anthony's 3-pointer from the corner with 0.1 seconds left capped a 31-point outing.

Suns 106, Clippers 98

In Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire scored 23 points to help the Suns extend their winning streak to three and hand Los Angeles its sixth consecutive loss.

Pacers 105, Knicks 103

In New York, Jarrett Jack made a jumper with 0.9 seconds left and scored a season-high 29 points, and Indiana snapped a four-game losing streak.

Magic 86, Heat 76

In Orlando, Rashard Lewis scored 17 points, Jameer Nelson added 16 and Dwight Howard had 15 points and 15 rebounds in the Magic's 10th straight win over Miami.

Pistons 98, Kings 92

In Auburn Hills, Mich., Rodney Stuckey scored 13 of his 38 points in the fourth quarter, and undermanned Detroit won its sixth straight game. Allen Iverson and Tayshaun Prince added 23 points each for the Pistons.

T-Wolves 115, Warriors 108

In Minneapolis, Al Jefferson had 32 points and 10 rebounds, and Ryan Gomes scored 13 of his 21 points in the third quarter and added 10 rebounds for the hosts.

Raptors 94, Rockets 73

In Toronto, Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani each scored 19 points to help the Raptors snap a three-game losing streak.

Mavericks 96, 76ers 86

In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points, and Jason Terry added 21 in the Mavericks' sixth victory in their last seven games.

Spurs 91, Grizzlies 80

In Memphis, Tim Duncan had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Tony Parker added 19 points for San Antonio.

Hakim Warrick led Memphis with 16 points, and Marc Gasol had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Bucks 103, Bobcats 75

In Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 31 points, and Charlie Villanueva had 27 in the Bucks' fifth straight victory over Charlotte.

Hornets 92, Blazers 77

In Portland, David West had 25 points, Chris Paul added 17 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds and New Orleans beat the Trail Blazers for their fourth straight victory.

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