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NBA: Boston 86, Indiana 72

INDIANAPOLIS, April 7 (UPI) -- Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined for 44 points Saturday, propelling the Boston Celtics to an 86-72 victory over Indiana.

Pierce netted 24 and Allen 20 as Boston snapped a two-game skid with the help of Kevin Garnett, who provided 15 points and seven rebounds.

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The Celtics won for for the sixth times in eight games overall and strengthened their grip on first place in the Atlantic Division, where they held a 1 1/2-game lead over Philadelphia.

The Pacers, who entered with a four-game winning streak, fell despite a combined 36 points from Danny Granger and David West.

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