Boston 98, Utah 93

Celtics 98, Jazz 93: Paul Pierce scored 23 points and the bench played a key role as host Boston edged Utah to earn its third straight win.

Jeff Green and Leandro Barbosa scored 16 points apiece off the bench and Kevin Garnett came through in the final minutes to finish with 11 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo struggled to six points but handed out 10 assists to reach double figures in the category for the 32nd straight game.

The Jazz pulled within two points on four different occasions in the fourth quarter before Al Jefferson’s jumper finally knotted it up at 93-93 with 1:55 left. Garnett split a pair of free throws to put the Celtics back on top and grabbed three defensive rebounds in the final minute before sealing it at the free throw line with 6.9 seconds left.

Paul Millsap collected 20 points and 12 rebounds and Jefferson chipped in 13 and 14 for the Jazz, who dropped to 1-5 on the road. They have two stops left on a four-game trip.

Boston used an 8-0 run in the third quarter to gain control, getting six points and an assist from Barbosa during the surge. Chris Wilcox’s free throw made it a 73-70 edge heading into the fourth quarter.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Celtics sent rookies Fab Melo and Kris Joseph to the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League prior to the game. … Rondo’s assists streak is the longest since John Stockton went 37 straight games for the Jazz in 1989. … Mo Williams, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors each scored 14 points for Utah.

• Boston will play their next game on the road against Brooklyn. The Celtics have a W/L % of .750 after a win and .500 after a loss.
• Utah will play their next game on the road against Philadelphia . The Jazz have a W/L % of .400 after a win and .500 after a loss.