Paul Pierce had nineteen points and twelve assists. Kevin Garnett scored twenty-two points and the Celtics broke open a truly tight game in the 4th quarter to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 113-103 yesterday. Ray Allen scored twelve points for the Celtics (15-2), but it was James Posey and Eddie House who sank the big three-pointers that let the NBA-best Celtics remain undefeated in their division.

The Boston Celtics overcame with a slow start. The Cleveland Cavaliers were not able to overcome the absence of LeBron James. With the National Baseball Association scoring leader missing his 2nd straight match because of a sprained finger, the Celtics beat the Cavaliers 80-70 on yesterday. On Thursday, the Celtics crushed the Knicks 104-59. On Tuesday night, Cleveland handed Boston one of their 2 losses of the season, 109-104 in overtime at Cleveland.

Jackson has signed a 2-year extention extension to coach the LA Lakers for about twelve million dollars a season. Phil Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year. On Wednesday, Jackson met with the Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss and said he was going to accept the offer, a raise from the 3-year contract for thirty million dollars he signed in 2005. Phil Jackson has dated Jerry Buss’ daughter Jeanie since September of 1999.

The SuperSonics could not find a way to counter Bryant, who scored thirty-five points in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 106-99 victory. Seattle has now lost eleven of their thirteen games this season, including their last 5 matches. Los Angeles used the SuperSonics’ futility to break their own 3-game losing streak. Odom scored twenty points for the Lakers, while Bynum added twelve points and ten rebounds, and Fisher scored fourteen points and eight assists.

Lebron James scored forty-five points yesterday, propelling the Cavaliers to a 97-86 victory over the Timberwolves. Lebron James also had 8 rebounds and 5 assists, and Drew Gooden contributed seventeen points and 9 rebounds. The Timberwolves has lost 8 of 9 games this season. Jefferson had thirty points and 8 rebounds for Minnesota. Lebron James has scored at least forty points in twenty National Baseball Association games. He has hit thirty or even more in 5 straight matches against the Timberwolves.

The Celtics won’t go undefeated this year. Howard scored twenty-four points, Lewis had twenty-two, and the Magic sent visiting Boston to its 1st loss of the season, 104-102 yesterday night. Nelson scored eighteen points for Orlando, whose 4th straight victory improved the team’s record to 9-2 under new head coach Van Gundy. At 8-0, Boston was off to the 4th-best start in the history of the franchise. However, it ended after Pierce missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer on the final play of the match.

If the Seattle SuperSonics do not stop their losing streak that has already grew to 8 games after Tuesday’s 103-76 loss to the Orlando Magic, tonight in Miami, then there appears to be no end to their suffering in the nearest future. Seattle’s string of consecutive defeats is tied for 4th longest in team history, it’s the longest in franchise history to start a new season. After trading Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen, their leading scorers in the offseason, the SuperSonics were expected to struggle harder this season.

Houston Rockets star center Yao Ming came to the team’s video room with a special request. The player wanted a DVD featuring every highlight from Yi Jianlian’s brief career. Today night, Yao Ming will finally get a closer look at China’s NBA next big thing. Before what is expected to be one of the largest TV audiences in the history of NBA, Yao Ming will play against Yi Jianlian for the first time in the NBA, when the Bucks visit Toyota Center. The two basketball stars will be the first Chinese players to match up against each other since Zhizhi from Dallas played against Bateer from Denver in 2002. But apparently, Yao vs. Yi has a bit more intrigue.

Boston put on a precision clinic at both ends of the court yesterday night that left the Nuggets helpless.

Pierce scored twenty-six points, newcomers Garnett had twenty-three points and thirteen rebounds while Allen finished with twenty-two points as the unbeaten Boston (3-0) rocked visiting Denver 119-92.

After watching his team shoot a torrid 64.5 % from the floor Boston head coach Doc Rivers said there was nothing to complain about. The team came out ready to play and they played well.

Despite their 2nd straight home victory, Boston thinks they can play much better. Pierce said they were just scratching the surface of where they can be. The player sees a lot of positives, but they are by far nowhere near where they want to be, however, they are getting better every day.

Allen Iverson led the Nuggets (2-3) with 22 points, but Carmelo Anthony was held to just 11.

Playing unselfishly, the Celtics came out of the gate fast and never let up against Denver, who dropped a 119-112 decision in NYC 2 days ago.

Ahead 38-22 after 1, the lead ballooned to 77-38 by halftime as Boston shot a blistering 72 % from the field (31-of-43) behind Pierce’s twenty points, while Garnett and Allen added fourteen and thirteen, respectively.

The Boston Celtics got the early lead and never looked back. With Denver offering little resistance, Boston continued the onslaught as the gap swelled to 91-50 on Garnett’s dunk late in the 3rd quarter before coasting to the emphatic win.

Elsewhere Utah 103, Cleveland 101 Speedy Williams drove the length of the court and scooped in a driving layup with 1.3 seconds remaining, lifting Utah to the dramatic home court win over Cleveland.

NBA Player of the Week honors went Tracy McGrady, the Houston Rockets star, and Danny Granger, the Indiana Pacers forward. Tracy McGrady was honored after he averaged 4.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 32.3 points on 50.0 shooting, leading the Houston Rockets to a 3-0 mark. Eastern Conference honors went to Danny Granger. The player averaged 8.7 rebounds and 22.7 points in helping the Indiana Pacers to a 3-0 week.