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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- It's rare that an opponent considers a date
with the Los Angeles Clippers a key game.
But the struggling Boston Celtics, whose turmoil includes the
resignation of coach Rick Pitino 10 days ago, felt that way about
Thursday night's contest.
"This was the most important game for our season," said
Antoine Walker, who had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for
his fourth triple-double of the season. "We wanted to come away
and finish this road trip strong. The Clippers are a tough team and
we knew we had to play our best game to get the win."
Paul Pierce scored on a driving layup to snap a tie with 43
seconds remaining as the Celtics won 82-79 for their fifth road
win.
Pierce finished with a double-double of 23 points and a
career-high 15 rebounds.
"Our focus was improved and we were doing the little things
that it took to win," Pierce said.
Lamar Odom had 20 points and 10 rebounds, but he was called for
an offensive foul with 16 seconds left and the Clippers down by
two.
However, Los Angeles got a break when Eric Williams turned the
ball over on a five-second violation with 15 seconds left. Odom
missed a 3-pointer and Eric Piatkowski got the rebound, but as he
set for a 3-point attempt his foot touched the right sideline and
Boston regained possession with 2.2 seconds left.
"I was in a funny position so I was trying to create some
space, but unfortunately I stepped out," Piatkowski said. "We
played terrible in the first half and were fortunate to be down
only 12 points."
Bryant Stith was fouled with 1.5 seconds left, and he made one
of two free throws. The Clippers never got off a shot before the
final buzzer in losing their fifth straight, which equals their
longest losing streak of the season.
"We had a chance to win it," Odom said. "Hopefully, we can
overcome the little slump we're in. Right now, everybody is a
little frustrated."
Especially Clippers coach Alvin Gentry, whose postgame comments
were limited to about three sentences before he walked away.
The fourth quarter was a two-point battle most of the way until
the Clippers took their largest lead, 76-71, on two free throws by
Odom.
But Walker hit a 3-pointer and Randy Brown scored to tie it at
76. Cherokee Parks stole the ball, but Pierce blocked Jeff McInnis
and Walker answered with another 3-pointer for a 79-76 lead with
1:51 left.
"That's a big momentum change," Piatkowski said. "It's one of
those tough things. We've got to learn and mature as a team and
make the right decisions."
Piatkowski scored inside to get the Clippers within one, then
McInnis tied it at 79 on his first free-throw attempt with 59
seconds left. Pierce answered with the game-winning layup.
"The best thing we did was get off to an early lead. On the
road, we usually get behind, but we were able to get up by 12,"
Walker said. "That helped because they had to play catchup."
The Clippers opened the third quarter with a 13-2 run, including
nine straight, to get within one. The poor shooting that plagued
the Clippers in the first half infected the Celtics in the third
quarter, when they were 6-of-19.
Twice more the Clippers got within one before tying it at 52 on
a free throw by Piatkowski.
But Piatkowski tossed up an air ball and Odom committed a
turnover as the Celtics scored six of the final 10 points to lead
58-56 going into the fourth quarter.
The Clippers trailed by 16 points in the first half, largely due
to 28 percent shooting.
Notes:
Los Angeles has scored more than 92 points only once in
losing eight of its last 10. ... Celtics G Kenny Anderson missed
his fourth straight game because of a sprained right ankle. ... It
was the Clippers' sixth loss by three points or less this season.
... Los Angeles was 10-31 at the halfway point last season and has
a 13-29 mark with 40 games remaining. ... Boston won the season
series 2-0, and has won six of its last seven against the Clippers.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Boston Clubhouse
LA Clippers Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 84
Atlanta 76
Dallas 115
Orlando 106
Portland 85
Miami 74
Detroit 116
Chicago 110
Houston 112
Golden State 104
Boston 82
LA Clippers 79
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Antoine Walker Official Site
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