BOSTON: Paul Pierce scored 24 points to guide the NBA champion Boston Celtics to a 107-88 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday, their ninth successive victory.

Pierce scored 17 of his points in the third quarter as the Celtics broke open a game they led just 48-46 at halftime to snap the Magic's four-game winning streak.

The Celtics' veteran scored more than half of his team's points in the third quarter, but told reporters he just took advantage of the support he received from his teammates.