Pierce leads Celtics to win over Magic

BOSTON (Reuters) - Paul Pierce scored 24 points to guide the NBA champion Boston Celtics to a 107-88 victory over the Orlando Magic Monday, their ninth successive victory.

Pierce scored 17 of his points in the third quarter as the Celtics broke open a game they led just 48-46 at halftime to snap the Magic's four-game winning streak.

The Celtics veteran scored more than half of his team's points in the third quarter, but told reporters he just took advantage of the support he received from his team mates.

"My team mates did a good job of setting me up," Pierce said. "We were just taking advantage of the matchups."

Ray Allen scored 21 points for Boston (17-2), while Rajon Rondo had 16 points with 12 assists. Kevin Garnett added 15 points and nine rebounds.

The game was highly charged with eight technical fouls called in the showdown between two of the Eastern Conference's top teams.

"Emotions were running pretty high out there at times," Boston coach Doc Rivers said.

"I think both teams realize the importance of games like this between teams that are as high in the standings as we are.

"This was one interesting game. A lot of technicals."

Rashard Lewis scored 30 points for the Magic. Hedo Turkoglu added 19 and Dwight Howard scored 14 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.

"The score doesn't reflect how we match-up against the best team in the NBA," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said.

"I think more than anything it was a problem with our schemes and preparation.

"That's not a player issue, it's a coaching issue."

Orlando was without their starting guards for the second consecutive game with Jameer Nelson sidelined with a hip flexor strain while Mickael Pietrus remained on injured reserve with a torn right thumb ligament.

The Magic (13-5) still lead the Southeast Division by two games over Atlanta.

(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)