NBA: Boston 109, Minnesota 101

BOSTON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Paul Pierce led the Boston Celtics to their 11th straight victory Sunday, scoring 36 points in a 109-101 decision over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Celtics played without forward Kevin Garnett, a former Minnesota star, who was out with the flu.

Ray Allen added 22 points, Tony Allen had 14 and Glen Davis totaled 12 for Boston, which ran up a 21-point lead early in the second half, let it to shrink to six and then held on for the win.

Al Jefferson scored 34 points and Randy Foye had 21 for the Timberwolves, losers of three straight games.