THE Boston Celtics became the first team to reach 40 NBA wins this season with a 104-97 road victory over the Indiana Pacers today.
With starters Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins still absent through injury, Paul Pierce stepped up to score 28 points and grab 12 rebounds. He helped the Celtics earn a fourth successive win leaving them 40-9 for the season.
But coach Doc Rivers was not getting carried away.
“I’m not looking at numbers and I didn’t even know we had made 40 wins,” he said.
“But we’re getting better and better. We just need to keep improving. Every night is a new test.”
Pierce, who will play in Sunday’s All-Star game, also had five assists. Ray Allen had 23 points while Leon Powe added 16 and nine rebounds. Rajon Rondo had 12, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Danny Granger led the Pacers with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots.”
“This was definitely a winnable game,” said Granger.
“We let it get away at the end with a lack of execution and our usual letdown in the stretch.”
The Pacers played without the injured Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley.

In other NBA games, Chauncey Billups scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter to help the visiting Detroit Pistons earn a 94-90 away win over the Atlanta Hawks, their ninth consecutive victory.

In Miami, the Heat piled up their 23rd loss in 24 games, going down 114-113 in an overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets.

In Memphis, the Grizzlies ended a six-game losing streak with a 107-94 win over the Sacramento Kings. It was the Grizzlies’ first win since trading Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers.

And in Chicago, New Orleans Hornets improved to 35-15 with a 100-86 road victory over the Chicago Bulls.