Pierce, Garnett spark Celtics' win

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Celtics shut down Howard, Magic

The Boston Celtics left the floor with the smallest of grins, hands raised in triumph, leaving the Orlando Magic's fans listening to a somber song by Elvis.

Blue Christmas.

Not for the guys in green.

Garnett should be ready

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers would be "very, very surprised" if Kevin Garnett, resting a sore right knee, isn't playing in the opening game of the playoffs.

Rivers also said Wednesday night he thinks the Celtics can win their second straight championship even if Garnett is not completely healthy.

"I believe that," he said before Boston's game against the Charlotte Bobcats. "Defensively is where we need him. Offensively, we need his shot and all that, his leadership on the floor. And I think he will be 100 percent or close to it."

Recap: Miami vs. Boston

Kevin Garnett was nearly perfect from the field and scored six of his team-high 24 points in the last quarter, as the Boston Celtics surged late for a 92-85 win over the Miami Heat.

Garnett went 11-of-12 from the field and also had eight rebounds as Boston won its fourth straight game. Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 11 assists for the Celtics, who finished the game on a 14-3 run. Paul Pierce had 15 points, while Kendrick Perkins was a force down low with 14 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks.

Dwyane Wade had 27 points and six assists for the Heat, who lost to the Celtics for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings. Jermaine O'Neal chipped in 14 points and 10 boards, and Michael Beasley finished with 18 points in defeat, Miami's fifth in seven games.

Recap: Boston vs. New Jersey

Paul Pierce scored a game-high 25 points and Kevin Garnett added 12 points and six rebounds, as the Boston Celtics claimed a 100-93 win over the New Jersey Nets in NBA preseason action.

Eddie House chipped in with 13 points, while Kendrick Perkins donated seven points and as many rebounds for the Celtics.

Brook Lopez went for a team-high 21 points to go along with eight boards for New Jersey. Yi Jianlian contributed 20 points and eight rebounds before fouling out.

Recap: Houston vs. Boston

Aaron Brooks poured in a game-high 21 points, as the Houston Rockets edged the Boston Celtics, 96-90, in preseason action at Dodge Arena.

Will Conroy and Carl Landry each had 12 points off the bench for the Rockets, who scored the final eight points of the game to pull out the win. David Andersen added 11 points for the victors.

Michael Sweetney led a very balanced Boston attack with 10 points. Eddie House, Glen Davis and Lester Hudson each tallied nine points in defeat. Kevin Garnett, who was seeing his first action since aggravating a right knee injury last March, tallied six points and five rebounds. Rasheed Wallace made his Boston debut, scoring six points.