www.nbacircle.com Now! Free NBA Jersey. Orlando Magic 56 - 87 Boston Celtics NBA Highlights Monday 23 January 2012 NBA Game Recap Boston Celtics' injuries didn't affect what coach Doc Rivers always wants—solid defense. Paul Pierce and former Magic forward Brandon Bass each scored 19 points to carry the injury-riddled Celtics to an 87-56 win over Orlando on Monday night. The Magic set franchise lows for points and field goals (16). "Defensively that was as good as you can get," Rivers said after his team matched a club record for fewest points allowed in the shot-clock era, also done last season against Milwaukee. Boston was minus starters Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and three bench players, drastically reducing its roster. Bass and Pierce carried the offense and Boston got some strong play from a cast of down-the-bench reserves. The Celtics snapped a streak of six straight losses against teams with winning records. Pierce is looking for it to shake Boston out of its early season woes. "Hopefully it'll funnel over to the guys that were out," said Pierce, who followed a 34-point effort in a win at Washington on Sunday. "There's no more excuses." Avery Bradley and Sasha Pavlovic started in the backcourt for Boston and attempted to pressure Orlando's guards early, helping the Celtics pick up the pressure defensively. "(It) started with Avery," Rivers said. "The ball pressure—and then it led to everyone. They're a great shooting team. ... Everything had to be precise and it was <b>...</b>
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