Celtics Hold Off Nets

Before picking up a somewhat questionable technical foul with 5:17 to play, Antoine Walker was only hurting the New Jersey Nets. After the `T', the Boston Celtics power forward was unstoppable.

Walker scored 14 of his season-high 39 points in the fourth quarter, including the Celtics' final seven in leading Boston to a 99-96 victory over New Jersey on Saturday night.

"The way Antoine played tonight reminded me of Bernard King when he was with the Knicks," Celtics coach Rick Pitino said. "He took over the game, dominated the low post, made all the right decisions and played great defense."

In all, Walker had 10 of the Celtics last 14 points after being called for a technical by David Jones following a foul inside against Keith Van Horn with Boston leading 85-80.

Not only did Van Horn get two free throws because the Celts were over the limit, but the technical made it a two-point game.

"Obviously I was upset by the (initial) call," Walker said of the technical. "I didn't say anything, but I clenched my fist and the referee thought I was trying to show him up. There was nothing else I could do but play harder."

Walker, who had not scored more than 19 points in the last five games, did just that in leading the Celtics to only their third road win in 17 games. He also got the rebound of Stephon Marbury's drive in the closing seconds, and later added a free throw in ending the Nets' three-game winning streak.

"When he gets 20 or 30 shots as skilled as he is, good things are going to happen usually," Nets coach Don Casey said of Walker. "They went to the horse tonight, and the horse delivered."

Paul Pierce added 15 points, and Vitaly Potapenko had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics. Point guard Kenny Anderson was in foul trouble all night and had only six points, ending his 15-game double-digit scoring streak.

Van Horn and Kerry Kittles had 20 points apiece for the Nets, who had won 10 of their last 11 at home. Marbury added 17, but he also had a crucial turnover in the forecourt with the game tied at 94.

Anderson took the ball upcourt and drove the lane for a floater that bounced off the rim, but Walker went above the rim and tipped it home for a 96-94 lead.

After a Nets timeout, Walker stepped in front of Kendall Gill's pass for Van Horn and raced down the court for a dunk and a 98-94 lead.

"He played huge at both ends," Anderson said of Walker. "We know he is going to score his points but the difference tonight was his defense. This was probably the best defensive game I've ever seen him play."

Neither team led by a more than five points the entire second half, with Boston grabbing a 92-87 edge on a steal and dunk by Pierce with 3:14 to play.

However, Gill hit two free throws and then blocked a dunk attempt by an open Potapenko. Marbury then hit a jumper and later made the second of two free throws with 1:42 left to tie it at 92.

Walker hit a layup off a nice feed from Anderson with 1:22 to go, but he missed a free throw that would have given Boston a three-point lead.

Marbury tied the game a final time with a jumper in the lane with 1:09 to play.

Walker's career high is 49. His previous high this season was 36.

Notes