Garnett-led Celtics go wild over Orlando
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Boston's Kevin Garnett made a game-clinching steal in his return to the court on Monday and Paul Pierce nailed the winning shot in the final minute to lift the Celtics to a 109-106 triumph over the Orlando Magic.
Pierce drew a foul on his go-ahead jump shot and converted the three-point play with 38 seconds remaining while Garnett added 19 points and eight rebounds in his first action since missing nine games with a leg injury.
With Boston leading 107-104 and 15 seconds to go, Garnett stole an Orlando pass to send the Celtics to their third successive win.
"I felt good," Garnett told reporters in his first game since December 29. "Felt strong, so I was glad I was able to help my team get a win tonight."
Ray Allen led the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics (31-9) with 26 points.
Dwight Howard had a game-high 33 points and 13 rebounds for the Magic (26-15), who came up short in a rematch of last season's Eastern Conference finalists.
Orlando lost in six games in that post-season series but managed to get the better of Boston this season on Christmas Day.
Hedo Turkoglu, one of four new players acquired by the Magic through trades last month, twice gave Orlando the lead in the final five minutes where the advantage changed hands several times.
Allen made a three-pointer to put the Celtics up one with 2:15 left, and Garnett again restored a cushion with two free throws.
Magic point guard Jameer Nelson tied the game on a jumper with 51 seconds remaining before Pierce's stepped up.
Garnett's presence will help Boston inside as the Celtics are still without injured post players Kendrick Perkins and Jermaine O'Neal.
"We look like a totally different team out there with Kevin on the court," Pierce said.
"His presence and everything goes far beyond the numbers."
In Los Angeles, Blake Griffin had a career-high 47 points and 14 rebounds for his 27th consecutive double-double as the Clippers rallied to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-107.
Danny Granger scored 32 points, making 10 of 11 free throws, and Darren Collison added 30 points and eight assists for the Pacers.
Eric Gordon added 23 points and Baron Davis had 14 points and 12 assists for the Clippers, who were coming off a win over the two-time defending NBA champion Lakers a day earlier and have won 10 of their last 14.
In Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored a season-high 36 points, including two free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining to help the Hawks recover 100-98 after trailing most of the game.
In other action, it was: Suns 129, Knicks 121; Pistons 103, Mavericks 89; Hornets 85, Raptors 81; Bulls 96, Grizzlies 84; Rockets 93, Bucks 84; 76ers 96, Bobcats 92; Wizards 108, Wizards 101; Warriors 109, Nets 100.
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