Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Michael Finley scored 15 points apiece, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and eight rebounds Monday night to help the Boston Celtics coast to a 119-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Boston rested its starters in the fourth quarter while beating a non-contender for the second straight home game. But in between was a 104-93 loss at Cleveland that could be a more important measurement of where the Celtics stand in the playoff hunt. Will Bynum had 16 points and seven assists, and Jason Maxiell had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who lost Tayshaun Prince to a first-quarter back injury, then slumped to their ninth loss in 11 games. Lakers 124, Warriors 121: At Oakland, Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and Pau Gasol added 26 to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to their ninth straight victory over the Golden State Warriors. Andrew Bynum added 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Lamar Odom had 17 points and 12 boards for the Lakers, who have won three straight following their first three-game losing streak in more than two years. The Lakers led by 11 late in the fourth quarter but barely held on for the victory. It wasn't sealed until Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis missed 3-pointers in the final seconds. Ellis' last-ditch attempt bounced on the rim three times before falling aside at the buzzer. Curry scored 29 points for the Warriors, who have lost seven of eight. Rockets 125, Nuggets 123: At Houston, Aaron Brooks scored 31 points, including a jumper with 2.9 seconds left, to help the Rockets end Denver's six-game winning streak. Carmelo Anthony scored 45 points for the Nuggets, but missed a 3-point attempt at the buzzer. Luis Scola grabbed the final rebound and finished with 23 points and 11 boards. Scola was coming off a career-high, 44-point game, and converted a key three-point play with 41 seconds remaining to put Houston ahead 122-121. Kevin Martin scored 29 points for Houston. Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith added 17 apiece for the Nuggets. Jazz 112, Wizards 89: At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer scored 23 points and Deron Williams notched his 35th double-double of the season as Utah ended a two-game losing streak by beating Washington. Elsewhere it was: Knicks 94, 76ers 84; Hornets 108, Clippers 100.
