INQUIRER Sports

BOSTON ? Paul Pierce overcame a cold start to score 16 points in the fourth quarter, powering Boston past Indiana 103-94 Tuesday on a night when the Celtics were without Kevin Garnett.

Pierce, who finished with 21 points, missed his first 10 shots but scored seven points in the row late in the game to give Boston the lead for good after trailing 57-42 at half-time.

The Celtics, who lead the Eastern Conference at 22-5, also had 19 points from Kendrick Perkins with Rasheed Wallace contributing nine points and 13 rebounds in place of Garnett, who was sidelined with a bruised right thigh.

Garnett, averaging 15.3 points and 7.6 rebounds a game, missed his first game of the season after taking part in a pre-game workout.

The Pacers, who fell to 9-18, lost their fourth game in a row despite 24 points and a season-best 18 rebounds by Troy Murphy and 18 from Earl Watson.

Ray Allen scored nine points in a 13-0 run to grab a 67-66 lead, pulling ahead for the first time on an Allen 3-pointer with 7:15 elapsed in the third quarter.

Pierce hit a jumper, sank two free throws and followed with a 3-pointer to snap an 86-86 deadlock and the Celtics were never caught again.