BOSTON, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Paul Pierce had a pair of blocks on Michael Jordan in the fourth quarter and Antoine Walker scored 31 points Wednesday night as the Boston Celtics posted a 104-95 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Pierce snubbed an invitation to join Jordan's private workouts over the summer and the pair went at each other during a heated exhibition contest on Oct. 26. Afterward, Jordan stated that he would be ready for Pierce in Wednesday's game.
Pierce blocked Jordan with 5:05 left, but Jordan later scored on a fadeaway jumper to forge an 89-89 tie with just under four minutes to go.
Walker converted a three-point play and Kenny Anderson added a pair of free throws for a 94-89 lead with 3:17 left.
The Wizards isolated Jordan on Pierce once again, but Pierce failed to go for Jordan's headfakes and made an emphatic block. That triggered a two on one fast break as Jordan failed to get back and rookie Joe Johnson dunked and a 96-89 lead with 2:52 to go.
Jordan made 12 of 26 shots for a season-high 32 points while Laettner made 13 of 17 shots for a season-high 29 points.
