The Boston Celtics, fresh from a tough West Coast road trip, got a warm welcome home Friday as they pounded the Washington Wizards 108-83 in a National Basketball Association contest.
Paul Pierce made his first nine shots from the field and scored 17 of his 26 points in the first half as the Celtics raced to a big lead and never looked back. Rajon Rondo added 10 points and 14 assists for the Celtics, who improved their league-leading record to 29-5 while winning their 13th straight at home.
It was a welcome turnaround for Boston, who lost three of four games on a West Coast holiday swing.
Nick Young scored 15 points to lead the Wizards, who fell to 6-25 and lost for the eighth time in 10 games. Caron Butler returned to the starting lineup after missing three games but scored just eight points for Washington.
The Celtics were on fire from the tip-off, with Pierce at the forefront. He made all five of his shots in the first quarter as Boston took a 28-14 lead. The Celtics led 86-55 heading into the fourth quarter, with Pierce not missing a shot from the floor until the final 90 seconds of the third period.
Cavaliers 117, Bulls 92
LeBron James notched his first triple-double of the season Friday as the Cleveland Cavaliers stampeded the Chicago Bulls 117-92.
James collected 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds and Anderson Varejao scored a season-high 26 points for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers went into the fourth quarter leading 89-72, with James enjoying a solid if unspectacular evening. Then midway through the final period, in a span of 16 seconds, the 24-year-old Cavs star drained a 3-pointer, collected his 10th rebound to clinch the triple-double and then sank another 3-pointer to energize the sellout crowd of 20,562.
In other NBA action from Friday: Orlando 86, Miami 76; Toronto 94, Houston 73; New Jersey 93, Atlanta 91 (OT); NY Knicks 103, Indiana 105; Detroit 98, Sacramento 92; Memphis 80, San Antonio 91; Minnesota 115, Golden State 108; Oklahomna City 120, Denver 122; Dallas 96, Philadelphia 86; Milwaukee 103, Charlotte 75; Phoenix 106, LA Clippers 98; Portland 77, New Orleans 92; LA Lakers 113, Utah 100
