Antoine Walker made nine three-pointers and scored 31 points and Paul Pierce had a big fourth quarter as the Boston Celtics won their fourth straight game Saturday night, 105-99 over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.
Walker, who was 9-for-39 on three-pointers coming into the game, shot 9-of-12 to help Boston overcome Pierce’s struggles through the first three quarters.
“The threes hadn’t been falling,” Walker said. “Finally I got it going tonight. The guys did a great job finding me.”
Pierce, averaging 26 points, scored just eight on 3-of-13 shooting through three quarters.
Walker keyed a 14-2 run to close the third quarter, making three three-pointers, the last of which banked in with 0.3 seconds left to give Boston a 77-76 lead.
Then Pierce took over, scoring 12 in the fourth.
Pierce’s three-pointer with 3:30 remaining put the Celtics up 96-92, and he hit two free throws and a fadeaway jumper to make it 100-92.
Stat watch: Toni Kukoc has hit 33.6 percent on three-pointers in his career, but he is 13-for-22 in his first five games with the Bucks.
No way: “It would have been a disgrace,” said Houston’s Steve Francis about losing on a night when Hakeem Olajuwon retired. “It was a very emotional night.”
RESULTS, SATURDAY’S SYNOPSIS
New Jersey 93 at Bulls 100
Complete Bulls coverage, Page 10.
Toronto 84 at Indiana 108
After trailing by 13 at halftime, the Pacers outscored the Raptors by 37 points in the second half.
Washington 93 at Cleveland 79
Wizards coach Doug Collins is a victory away from 300 career triumphs. Wizards’ bench outscored Cavs’ 39-11.
Seattle 84 at Miami 82
In the last 5 seconds Eddie Jones had a potential game-tying shot blocked by Desmond Mason.
Boston 105 at Minnesota 99
The Timberwolves played without guard Wally Szczerbiak because of soreness in his left knee. He is day-to-day.
Portland 95 at San Antonio 76
The Spurs’ 10 first-quarter points barely averted the team’s record-low of 9 for the period, set in Houston in April 1994.
Golden State 104 at Houston 111
Rockets retired Hakeem Olajuwon’s No. 34. He retired after 18 seasons in the league, 17 with Houston.
Philadelphia 105 at Milwaukee 110
Tim Thomas scored 21 points, including five in OT, as the Bucks ended the 76ers’ four-game winning streak.
Detroit 75 at Dallas 114
The Mavericks continued their franchise-best start (6-0) and remained the league’s only unbeaten team.
Memphis 73 at Denver 84
The Grizzlies dropped to 0-7 to remain the league’s only team without a win. It was just the Nuggets’ 2nd win overall.
