Shaq Leads Celtics In Win Over Nets
BOSTON (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal scored a season-high 25 points, even hitting four straight free throws in the fourth quarter as the Boston Celtics came back to beat the New Jersey Nets 89-83 on Wednesday night.
Paul Pierce scored 18 and Ray Allen had 15 points and seven assists for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who have won consecutive games after losing two straight for the first time all season.
O'Neal matched his season high with 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double. He went 9 for 10 from the floor and 7 for 13 from the line as the Nets resorted to Hack-a-Shaq to get back
into the game.
Devin Harris scored 20 for the Nets, hitting back-to-back baskets in the final 2 minutes to help New Jersey cut the deficit to 82-78.
Boston guard Delonte West left the Celtics' game against the New Jersey Nets after breaking his right wrist.
West crashed to the ground after a layup with 2:48 left in the second quarter. He stayed there, grimacing in pain, until the medical staff came to help him. A few minutes later, he walked off, holding his right arm in his left, still in obvious pain.
No foul was called on Travis Outlaw, who was guarding him.
West had four points in 12 minutes on Wednesday night. He was averaging 7.5 points in about 19 minutes per game since returning from a 10-game suspension for his guilty plea on gun charges.
The Celtics were already short at guard because of a hamstring injury that has kept Rajon Rondo out the last three games.
Jimmy Golen, AP Sports Writer contributed to this report
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