Boston Celtics 106 , Los Angeles Clippers 104
The Celtics led almost the entire way, as they held a 19-point lead over the struggling Clippers, who were playing their seventh straight game without injured point guard Chris Paul, before nearly letting them back into the game at the end.
“Lob City” started the fourth quarter on a 24-11 run, getting as close as two points with 26 seconds remaining. Head coach Vinny Del Negro decided not to foul on the last possession and Paul Pierce made a three-pointer with two seconds left, giving the Celtics a five-point lead.
Boston had a perfect week, going 4-0 since Rajon Rondo went down. Eric Bledsoe scored 23 points along with 10 assists and seven rebounds for the Clippers, who are on a two-game losing-streak.
Los Angeles Lakers 98, Detroit Pistons 97
The Lakers, who played without center Dwight Howard for the second straight game, seem to be playing the same script during the last few games.
Los Angeles was leading by double-figures in the first half, however they struggled in the fourth, almost costing them the win. After Will Bynum’s driving layup with about a minute left, the Pistons were trailing by a single point.
Los Angeles had four chances at the free-throw line (including two attempts by Steve Nash) to ice the game, but they didn’t make any, giving Detroit a final chance. Andre Drummond grabbed an alley-oop pass with a second to go, but couldn’t make it. Pau Gasol led the Lakers with 23 points and 10 boards. Greg Monroe had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Detroit.
Miami Heat 100, Toronto Raptors 85
After the Raptors kept it close for most of the game, the Heat took care of business during the final four minutes. Miami ended the game on a 14-2 run, with LeBron James and Chris Bosh each having seven points apiece during the stretch.
James led the Heat with 30 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Rudy Gay, in his second game as a member of the Raptors, had 29 points and four rebounds.
