• 
• 

Allen scored 26 of his 35 points in the second half, and the Celtics snapped their season-high two-game losing streak with a 100-90 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

 In his last five games, Allen has averaged just 10 points per game - down from nearly 18 - hitting a frosty 18-of-58 field goals attempts before getting on track.

 "I needed a night like this," said Allen, who connected on 12-of-20 floor shots en route to a season-best point total. "I was just waiting for it."

   Kevin Garnett had 26 points for league-best Boston (31-6) which had dropped three of its previous four games overall and two straight at home.

 "We were upset that we lost, but by no means was our spirit down," said Celtics captain Paul Pierce, of the home loses.  

   "We recognized we were on a two-game losing streak at home, so we wanted to defend our home-court against a quality ballclub, one of the hottest teams in the NBA," said Pierce, who finished with just 12 points and eight rebounds. "The guys really stepped up to the challenge."

   Brandon Roy scored 22 points while reserves Travis Outlaw and Jarrett Jack added 17 apiece for Portland (23-15) which suffered only its third loss in the last 21 games.

 "I don't think we believed we could beat them," Roy said. "We've been playing to win lately, but tonight I think we just came in to give them a good game."

   The Celtics carried a 74-69 edge entering the final frame and never relinquished the lead.

 Ahead 86-81, Allen scored 12 of the Celtics' final 14 points, including a pair of three-pointers in the final 2:19 to help them pull away.

 "Ray had it going tonight," said Celtics guard Rajon Rondo. "He stepped up and made big shots for us when we needed them down the stretch."

   Elsewhere:    Chicago Bulls 126, Miami Heat 96    Ben Gordon had 24 points, Joe Smith added 23 and the visiting Bulls handed the hapless Heat its 11th straight loss to spoil the return of Shaquille O'Neal.

 O'Neal collected 24 points and 10 rebounds after missing the last eight games because of a sore left hip. Dwyane Wade also scored 24 points for Eastern Conference worst Miami (8-29).

 New York Knicks 111, New Jersey Nets 105    Jamal Crawford tossed in a season-high 35 points, including the tie-breaking three-pointer with 59 seconds remaining, carrying the Knicks to their season-high third straight victory.

 Zach Randolph added 24 points and 11 rebounds for visiting New York (12-26) which improved to 3-0 against their cross-river rivals.

 Vince Carter led New Jersey (18-20) with 26 points. Richard Jefferson added 22 while Jason Kidd dished out 17 assists.

 New Orleans Hornets 123, Seattle SuperSonics 92    Peja Stojakovic scored 23 points while Tyson Chandler had 14 points with 21 rebounds and the Hornets sent the visiting SuperSonics to their eighth straight loss.

 David West collected 19 points and 11 boards as New Orleans (26-12) pulled into a three-way tie atop the Southwest Division with idle San Antonio and Dallas.

 Rookie sensation Kevin Durant led Seattle (9-29) with 20 points.

 Toronto Raptors 116, Sacramento Kings 91    Chris Bosh had 31 points, Argentine Carlos Delfino came off the bench to add a season-high 26 as the Raptors ruined Mike Bibby's season-debut with their fourth win in the last five games.

 Kevin Martin led the Kings (15-22) with 22 points. Bibby finished with 19 points off the bench, after sitting out the first 36 games with a torn ligament in his left thumb.

 Charlotte Bobcats 99, Orlando Magic 93    Gerald Wallace collected 36 points and 14 rebounds, while Jason Richardson scored seven of his 26 points in the final minute, helping the Bobcats rally for their fourth win in the last six games.

 Dwight Howard had 24 points and 21 rebounds for visiting Orlando (24-17) which wasted a 19-point third-quarter lead.

 Milwaukee Bucks 87, Atlanta Hawks 80    Australian Andrew Bogut had 21 points with 10 rebounds, and the Bucks clipped the visiting Hawks for the 18th time in the last 20 meetings.

 Marvin Williams scored 22 points for Atlanta (17-18) which remained close despite going without a field goal for more than 12 minutes bridging the third and fourth quarters.

 Indiana Pacers 125, Golden State Warriors 117    Danny Granger scored 29 points, Karem Rush added 14 of his 19 in the decisive fourth quarter and the Pacers rallied to snap the Warriors' three-game winning streak.

 Mike Dunleavy had 24 points and nine rebounds as Indiana (18-22) outscored the visitors, 46-24 in the final period to overcome a 17-point second-half deficit.

 Baron Davis led Golden State (23-17) with 24 points and seven steals, while Al Harrington chipped in with 22 points.

By Paul Levine, dpa