NEW ORLEANS — Not even the return of the Hornets’ Chris Paul or the departure of Boston’s Ray Allen could stop the Celtics from winning yet again on the road.
Paul Pierce scored 30 points and the Celtics won their eighth straight away from home, 89-77 over New Orleans on Wednesday night.
Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Eddie House scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter to help Boston pull away despite the absence of Allen, who hyperextended his right thumb in the first half.
“It was a good, gutty win for us,” said Boston coach Doc Rivers, whose team shot 47 percent in the final quarter while holding New Orleans to 33 percent.
Allen is expected to be ready to go tonight in Dallas.
Paul, who had missed four games with a right groin strain, finished with 13 points and five assists in 32 minutes.
“I was a little nervous about what I could do, whether I could cut,” Paul said. “It’s one thing in practice, playing two- on-two, but it’s another thing playing at game speed. But I’m excited because now I feel good to go.”
Tied at 64-all through three quarters, Paul then rested during the first five minutes of the fourth quarter, when House scored eight points to help the Celtics surge to a 79-67 lead.
