Bulls’ Streak Ends at Seven in Boston

Al Jefferson, scared to find himself on the court in crunch time, kept his wits long enough to guide Boston to a victory.

Paul Pierce had 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Jefferson added a career-high 17 points -- including two baskets down the stretch -- to lead the Boston Celtics past visiting Chicago, 92-83, Wednesday night, ending the Bulls’ winning streak at seven games.

Jefferson led the charge as the Celtics rallied from a 66-57 deficit with a 12-2 run midway through the fourth quarter. Jefferson capped Boston’s decisive run with two baskets, including a floater as the shot clock expired, that put the Celtics up, 84-77, with 5:05 left.

“I’m not used to being out there that late in the game,” Jefferson said. “I was [scared], I really was. That’s where I want to be, but it’s still a little frightening. But I didn’t show it.”

Eddy Curry scored 26 points for the Bulls, who held their opponent below 100 points for the 23rd consecutive game.

*

Memphis 88, Phoenix 79 -- Playing again without point guard Steve Nash, the Suns lost their fifth in a row to the visiting Grizzlies.

Phoenix (31-9) also surrendered the NBA’s best record to San Antonio (32-9), their opponent Friday in a game in which Nash is expected to return from a twisted back.

Bonzi Wells had 16 points for Memphis, which won its fourth in a row and 10th in 11 games. Quentin Richardson led Phoenix with 19 points.

*

Miami 111, Atlanta 92 -- Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade scored 25 points apiece as the Heat ended a four-day break at Miami.

Wade, who missed the previous two games because of back spasms, sore ribs and a migraine, scored 12 of his points in a 23-7 third-quarter run.

Antoine Walker had 18 points and 16 rebounds for Atlanta, losers of seven road games in a row.

*

New Orleans 90, Indiana 87 -- Lee Nailon scored 30 points, and Dan Dickau’s 17 points included a late go-ahead free throw that helped the Hornets upset the Pacers at New Orleans.

Indiana’s Reggie Miller missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer. Jamaal Tinsley scored 28 points for the second game in a row for Indiana.

*

Cleveland 107, Portland 101 -- LeBron James had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists at Portland, Ore., to become the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.

James is 20 years and 20 days old, younger than Lamar Odom, who was 20 years and 54 days old when he did it in 1999 with the Clippers.

Nick Van Exel had 28 points for Portland, which lost its fifth in a row.

*

Philadelphia 107, Charlotte 105 -- Allen Iverson scored only six of his 24 points in the second half but Kyle Korver made consecutive baskets in the final minutes and Corliss Williamson scored eight of his 14 points in the fourth quarter in a 76er victory at Charlotte, N.C. Emeka Okafor led Charlotte with 18 points and 19 rebounds but missed eight of 12 free throws.

*

Toronto 98, New York 81 -- Jalen Rose scored 20 of his 24 points in the second half at Toronto in the Raptors’ third victory in a row. The Raptors made seven three-point baskets in the fourth quarter and outscored the Knicks, 38-20, to send them to their eighth loss in nine games. Nazr Mohammed had 16 points for the Knicks.

*

New Jersey 96, Milwaukee 90 -- Vince Carter scored a season-high 33 points and Jason Kidd added 17 points and 10 assists to lead the Nets at East Rutherford, N.J. Michael Redd had 30 points for the Bucks but it wasn’t enough with Kidd and Carter nearly recording triple-doubles. Carter added nine rebounds and nine assists while Kidd had eight rebounds.