PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Late free throws by Glen Davis and Kevin Garnett halted a Portland comeback Thursday and lifted the Boston Celtics to an 88-78 win over the Trail Blazers.
Boston won for the seventh time in eight games in the first contest of a four-game road trip.
The Celtics led by 15 points early in the fourth period but Portland hit three straight 3-pointers to get back in the game after previously having made just 1-of-11 from beyond the arc.
Portland also took advantage of Boston's struggles from the foul line to get within five before Davis and Garnett made two free throws each to increase lead to nine inside the final minute.
Ray Allen led Boston with 18 points, Paul Pierce had 17 and Rajon Rondo added 11. The Celtics will visit Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento on their western swing.
Portland, which has dropped two in a row, was led by LaMarcus Aldridge with 17 points. The Trail Blazers shot just 36 percent from the field.
