BOSTON – Down two guards, the Boston Celtics got a career-best night from reserve Avery Bradley.

Bradley, who played nine games for the Maine Red Claws last season, scored 23 points, including 15 in the first quarter to get Boston off to a quick start, and the short-handed Celtics held off the Washington Wizards 88-76 on Sunday.

With Ray Allen (ankle) and Mickael Pietrus (head injury) out of the lineup, the Celtics may need more from Bradley.

“It’s all about confidence. Sometimes I would go into the game thinking twice about shooting. Now, if I’m open, I’m open and I’ll shoot it. I’ve been making them,” said Bradley, whose previous high was 20 points.

Paul Pierce added 21 points and eight rebounds, Rajon Rondo had 11 assists, and Kevin Garnett finished with 10 points and six assists for the Celtics, who shot 22 for 34 (65 percent) in the first half.

THUNDER 103, HEAT 87: Kevin Durant had 28 points and nine rebounds and tied his season high with eight assists, Kendrick Perkins added a season-best 16 points, and Oklahoma City won at home.

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Oklahoma City got a season-high 13 steals and forced Miami into 21 turnovers that led to 28 Thunder points.

HAWKS 139, JAZZ 133: Joe Johnson scored 37 points, Josh Smith added 22 and host Atlanta ended Utah’s six-game winning streak in the NBA’s first quadruple-overtime game since 1997.

TRAIL BLAZERS 90, WARRIORS 87: Raymond Felton scored 24 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 18, including a fadeaway jumper and two free throws that proved the difference in the final minute, leading Portland at home.

SPURS 93, 76ERS 76: Tony Parker scored 21 points in San Antonio’s home win.

TIMBERWOLVES 117, NUGGETS 100: Kevin Love followed up his 51-point game with 30 points and 21 rebounds to lead Minnesota over visiting Denver.

SUNS 108, CAVALIERS 83: Marcin Gortat and Markieff Morris scored 22 points apiece and Phoenix never trailed in winning at Cleveland.

NOTES

Denver Nuggets guard Aaron Afflalo was suspended one game without pay by the NBA for throwing an elbow to the head of Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward on Friday night.


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