Pierce stars in Celtics win

Paul Pierce claimed 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Avery Bradley scored 22 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 109-101.

The Celtics continued their push up the Eastern Conference standings as Kevin Garnett scored 18.

Pierce led the way as the Celtics controlled the game and used a 9-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to seal the win.

The defeat was a ninth in 10 for the 76ers who are out of the play-off picture.

Jrue Holiday had 18 points and 10 assists for the Sixers. Thaddeus Young had 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Oklahoma City Thunder held off the second half charge of the Los Angeles Lakers to win 122-105.

Russell Westbrook had 37 points and 10 rebounds and Kevin Durant scored 26 as the thunder led from the opening stages.

The lead had been reduced to five midway through the fourth quarter before the Thunder scored the last 12 points.

After leaving the game with a right elbow injury in the first quarter Kobe Bryant ended up with 30 points.

Steve Nash matched his season best with 20 points.

The Denver Nuggets won their sixth straight game with a 120-113 success against the Sacramento Kings.

Ty Lawson had 24 points and Danilo Gallinari added 23 for the Nuggets who had a 36-point third quarter to make their season-best third straight win on the road.

For Denver Kenneth Faried had 19 points and 12 rebounds, Andre Miller scored 16 and Kosta Koufos had 15 points.

Marcus Thornton made five three-pointers in a total of 32 points for the Kings.