Granger leads Pacers past Celtics

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Danny Granger scored 21 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 97-83 victory over Boston on Saturday night, the Celtics' fourth straight loss.

Paul George and Darren Collison each scored 17 points and Roy Hibbert added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers (9-3), who won their third straight. The Pacers improved to 5-0 at home, with four wins by double digits.

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett both scored 21 points for the Celtics, but Brandon Bass was the only other Celtic in double figures with 10 points. Boston (4-7) fell to 1-4 on the road.

It was Indiana's second win in two tries against the Celtics this season. Indiana won at Boston 87-74 on Jan. 6.

The Pacers held the Celtics to 39 percent shooting.

Indiana led 56-48 at halftime, then took control after the break.

Hibbert blocked a shot by Garnett, then Collison drained a 3-pointer at the other end to give the Pacers a 67-54 lead and force Boston to call timeout.

Pierce hit a 3-pointer right out of the timeout, but Indiana quickly reasserted itself. A 6-0 run, including a jumper and a fast-break layup by Collison, helped Indiana take a 75-60 lead. Collison's baskets were part of a 9-0 run by the Pacers during which they held the Celtics scoreless for five minutes.

Collison scored 11 points in the third quarter to help Indiana take an 82-67 lead. The Pacers held the Celtics to 7-for-22 shooting in the period.

Indiana never looked back. A dunk by George gave the Pacers a 91-73 lead with just over four minutes remaining.

Notes: Pierce passed Kevin McHale and moved into third place in Celtics history in games played (972). He still trails John Havlicek (1,270) and Robert Parish (1,106). ... Purdue coach Matt Painter attended the game to watch two of his former players, Boston forward JaJuan Johnson and Boston guard E'Twaun Moore. Moore and Johnson both entered the game in the second quarter. Moore hit a 3-pointer late in the third quarter and finished with seven points. Johnson had a dunk in the final minute and finished with four points. ... Ray Allen, who entered the game leading the league in 3-point percentage, made 1 of 3 and finished with seven points. ... Boston failed to score more than 100 points for the ninth straight game.