BOSTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A 3-point shot by Trevor Ariza with 1:34 to play Friday gave New Orleans the lead for good and the Hornets held on to edge Boston 83-81.
The Celtics played without star forward Kevin Garnett, who is expected to miss two weeks with a strained muscle in his right calf. The Celtics, who lost just four times in their first 27 games this season, have dropped three of their last four.
Ariza's shot from beyond the arc lifted the Hornets into an 80-77 lead. Boston eventually climbed back within one on a pair of free throws by Ray Allen with 21 seconds left. David West could make only 1-of-2 foul shots for New Orleans with 19 seconds remaining.
Allen missed a 3-point shot for Boston and Chris Paul claimed the rebound to clinch the victory.
Paul led the Hornets with 20 points and 11 assists and West scored 19. New Orleans had lost its previous two games.
Allen had 18 points for the Celtics. It was only the second home loss of the campaign for Boston, leaving the Celtics tied with San Antonio for fewest in the NBA.
Boston had a six-point lead midway through the final period.
