BOSTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Rajon Rondo led Boston with a triple-double Wednesday and the Celtics narrowly avoided wasting a late lead in defeating San Antonio 105-103.
After losing only four times in their first 33 games, the Spurs have dropped two in a row for the first time this season. They fell to New York on Tuesday.
Rondo scored 12 points, had 22 assists, grabbed 10 rebounds and registered six steals. That effort gave Boston a nine-point lead as the final minute began, but the Celtics wound up having to sweat out a last-second 3-point shot by Manu Ginobili.
Ray Allen missed two free throws with 8 seconds left that would have clinched the Boston victory, but Paul Pierce came through by blocking Ginobili's attempt as time expired.
Allen scored 31 points for Boston, making 13-of-16 shots in Boston's third straight win.
Ginobili had 24 points to pace the Spurs. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker had 18 points each.
