Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce keep Celtics rolling

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Boston Celtics improved to an NBA-best 15-2 with a 113-103 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and Paul Pierce contributed 19 points and 12 assists for the Celtics, who pulled away in the fourth quarter against a Philadelphia team playing for the first time under new President and general manager Ed Stefanski.

The Sixers (5-13) responded with an impressive effort against the NBA leaders, surging 57-52 ahead at the half and regaining the lead in the fourth quarter while shooting an impressive 56 percent.

"Teams are up to play us," Boston coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "We've never gone through this."

The Celtics wore down Philadelphia in the dying minutes, however, Eddie House and James Posey hitting key three-pointers to seal the win.

Posey had 17 points, House added 15 and Ray Allen chipped in with 12 for the Celtics, who shot 53 percent.

Andre Miller had 26 points and 12 assists to lead the Sixers, with Andre Iguodala adding 24 for the losers.

"For 40 minutes we were there, but you've got to be able to sustain it against a team like that," coach Maurice Cheeks said.

*The Los Angeles Lakers overcame 51 points from Allen Iverson by beating the Denver Nuggets 111-107.

*The San Antonio Spurs beat the Dallas Mavericks 97-95, Tony Parker scoring 23 points for the Spurs.

*The Phoenix Suns set a season-high points total as Leandro Barbosa scored 35 in a 136-123 win over the Toronto Raptors.

*The Charlotte Bobcats lost their seventh game in a row, going down 91-82 to the Chicago Bulls.

*The New York Knicks beat the New Jersey Nets for just the second time in 12 meetings, downing them 100-93.

*Richard Hamilton scored 21 points as the Detroit Pistons beat the New Orleans Hornets 91-76.

(Writing by Roger Lajoie in Toronto; Editing by Ed Osmond)