BOSTON, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett both scored 23 points Friday and the Boston Celtics fought off a comeback bid to down Memphis 100-96.
Boston became the fourth team in NBA history to open a season at 28-3. The other three went on to win the league championship.
The Celtics have won eight in a row and set up an anticipated meeting with Detroit Saturday. The Pistons are riding an 11-game winning streak following their victory over Toronto Friday night.
Boston had a nine-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but Memphis put on a rush that included a pair of three-pointers by Juan Carlos Navarro in the final eight seconds. The Grizzles, however, never made it a one-possession game.
The Celtics' Ray Allen made two free throws with 9.3 seconds remaining to avoid going scoreless for what would have been only the second time in his career. He missed all nine of his shots from the field.
Memphis was led by 21 from Rudy Gay. The Grizzlies have lost six out of seven.
