(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-06 14:47

NEW YORK - The Boston Celtics improved to an NBA-best 15-2 with a 113-103 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and Paul Pierce contributed 19 points and 12 assists for the Celtics, who pulled away in the fourth quarter against a Philadelphia team playing for the first time under new President and general manager Ed Stefanski.

The Sixers (5-13) responded with an impressive effort against the NBA leaders, surging 57-52 ahead at the half and regaining the lead in the fourth quarter while shooting an impressive 56 percent.

The Celtics wore down Philadelphia in the dying minutes, however, Eddie House and James Posey hitting key three-pointers to seal the win.

Posey had 17 points, House added 15 and Ray Allen chipped in with 12 for the Celtics, who shot 53 percent.

Andre Miller had 26 points and 12 assists to lead the Sixers, with Andre Iguodala adding 24 for the losers.

*The Phoenix Suns set a season-high points total as Leandro Barbosa scored 35 in a 136-123 win over the Toronto Raptors.

*The Charlotte Bobcats lost their seventh straight game, Luol Deng scoring 30 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 91-82 win over the Bobcats. The Bulls erased an 11-point third-quarter lead in winning for just the second time in their last nine road games.

*The New York Knicks beat their crosstown rivals the New Jersey Nets for just the second time in 12 meetings, downing them 100-93.

*Richard Hamilton scored 21 points as the Detroit Pistons beat the New Orleans Hornets 91-76.