Celtics' 10-game winning ends

Posted March 14, 2008 11:00 pm

Associated Press

The Utah Jazz admitted that it was looking forward to playing the top team in the NBA.

And no one more than Deron Williams.

The Jazz guard and former Illini star scored 32 points -- 13 in the fourth quarter and 7 during a 10-0 run when Utah turned back Boston's last chance to win 110-92 on Friday night in Boston and snap the Celtics' 10-game winning streak.

"I tried to take over a little bit," said Williams, who was icing his head afterward. "It was time for me to assert myself a little more."

Carlos Boozer had 17 points and 12 rebounds for his 44th double-double of the season, and Mehmet Okur had 12 points and 9 rebounds for Utah. Williams went 17 of 18 from the line and added 8 assists and 5 rebounds as the Jazz handed Boston its worst loss of the season.

"He just kept driving and driving and driving and kept getting fouled and fouled and fouled. He played terrific," Boozer said.

Kevin Garnett had 15 points, 4 blocks and 6 assists for the Celtics.

Hornets 108, Lakers 98: Chris Paul had 27 points and 17 assists to help host New Orleans beat the Los Angeles Lakers in what could prove to be a costly game for both teams.

Paul hobbled to the finish after hurting his left ankle on a failed drive to the hoop with 2:31 to go. Lakers center Pau Gasol and David West, however, did not make it to the final horn as both left with ankle sprains.

Kobe Bryant had 36 points and nine assists for Los Angeles, which lost for only the third time in 17 games.

Pistons 84, Spurs 80: Richard Hamilton scored 25 and made an important 3-point play with 20.6 seconds left, lifting host Detroit over short-handed San Antonio. The Spurs were without Bruce Bowen (suspension) and Ime Udoka (right ankle).

Mavericks 116, Pacers 97: Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points and new backup point guard Tyronn Lue had 13 points in 15 minutes, carrying host Dallas past Indiana.

Magic 103, Heat 94: Jameer Nelson scored 21 points, Dwight Howard added 18 points and 16 rebounds, and visiting Orlando held off a serious Miami challenge.

Hawks 117, Clippers 93: Joe Johnson scored 21 of his 28 points and hit all 6 of his 3-pointers in the third quarter to help host Atlanta beat Los Angeles.