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Pierce, Celtics top Clippers

Feb 27, 2011 - 7:02 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Paul Pierce netted half of his 24 points in the pivotal third quarter, and the Celtics earned a 99-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Ray Allen totaled 22 points, while Kevin Garnett added 16 with 11 rebounds for Boston, which won for the fourth time in five games. The Celtics outscored the Clippers, 34-21, in the third, limiting the hosts to 6-of-18 shooting in the period.

"It was a good third and fourth quarter," Pierce said. "We were aggressive and attacked the rim."

The Celtics brought a new look to their team Saturday night. Nenad Krstic and Jeff Green, acquired in the deal that sent Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City, combined for 16 points. Krstic started at center and had nine points and six boards as Boston bounced back after losing in Denver on Thursday.

"It felt good, new team, different look," Green said. "It's good to get that first win under my belt."

Randy Foye had a season-best 32 points for the Clippers, losers of four straight and seven of eight games. Blake Griffin ended with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Chris Kaman chipped in 16 points and nine boards in a reserve role.

Eric Bledsoe's layup provided the Clippers with a 51-46 lead 1 1/2 minutes into the third quarter, but the Celtics then embarked on a 16-2 surge. Pierce had six points and Garnett had the same amount during the spurt, ending it with an alley-oop jam off a feed from Rajon Rondo for a 62-53 difference with 5:14 left in the quarter.

"The thing about them is how well they move the ball and play off of each other," Griffin said. "You can tell they have been playing together for a while. That's tough to beat when teams are moving the ball and everybody knows their role. Everybody is getting shots and everybody is rotating defensively."

Boston carried a 74-68 lead into the fourth and later expanded the difference to 12 points, at 89-77, following three-pointers from Delonte West and Pierce, and a layup from Glen Davis.

It was just too much to overcome for the Clippers, although they got within five with 2:20 left after a three-ball from Foye. Garnett quickly restored order with a jam at the other end for a 94-87 score.

A quick start carried the Clippers to a 26-18 lead after the opening quarter. The LA lead reached 13 at 38-25 following a Foye three, but the Celtics crawled within 47-40 at the break.

"We got off to a slow start. They played harder than we did in the first half," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "We got into the game in the third quarter and we ran."

Game Notes

Clippers new acquisitions - Mo Williams and Jamario Moon - didn't suit up for the game...Rondo had 11 assists...The Clippers had 21 turnovers, leading to 25 Boston points.