Celtics Lose Big Lead, Still Defeat Trail Blazers

Paul Pierce scored 36 points and the Boston Celtics let a 20-point lead slip away in the second half but recovered in the final two minutes to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers, 100-92, Thursday night at Portland, Ore.

Pierce, who had been doubtful for the game after he sprained his right groin against the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday night, scored 20 points in the first quarter.

The Celtics maintained their lead until the fourth quarter, when Rasheed Wallace made a pair of free throws to put the Blazers ahead, 73-72.

Although the Celtics briefly took the lead back on Walter McCarty’s jumper, Derek Anderson made a three-point basket and followed it up with a fadeaway jump shot to give the Blazers a 78-74 advantage.

Portland stretched that lead to seven points before Boston’s Eric Williams made two free throws to tie it at 92-92 with 1:57 left. After Bonzi Wells missed two free throws, McCarty made a three-pointer to give the Celtics a 95-92 lead with 1:13 to go.

Pierce made another three-pointer with 37 seconds left to make it 98-92.

Detroit 98, Orlando 88 -- Richard Hamilton scored 29 points at Auburn Hills, Mich., and the Pistons matched their best streak of the season in winning their sixth in a row.

Orlando’s Tracy McGrady, the NBA’s leading scorer, had 35 points on 13-of-31 shooting, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Orlando, which trailed by 15 points late in the third quarter, cut the deficit to three for a fourth time in the final period with 4:21 left.

But Robinson made a three-pointer as the shot clock expired and Chauncey Billups scored inside to put Detroit ahead by eight with 3:13 left.