Orlando, Fla. ? The Boston Celtics got their shots to fall in the third quarter and their defense on track in the fourth.

Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 27 points after halftime and Eric Williams added a season-high 21 as Boston won for the sixth time in seven games, beating the Orlando Magic 102-97 Monday night.

“It’s a huge win,” said the ex-Jayhawk Pierce, who also had 10 rebounds and eight assists. “Coming in here against a quality team – the Magic have been playing really well lately – to get a win on (the second game of) a back-to-back, this is one of our biggest wins of the season.

The Celtics took a 94-93 lead on Williams’ dunk with 4:01 remaining, and Antoine Walker followed with a layin off a break. Walker had 19 points and eight rebounds.

After Orlando’s Tracy McGrady hit a jumper to cut the deficit to one point with 2:41 to go, the Magic missed four shots and committed two turnovers in their final seven possessions. Pierce clinched the win with four free throws in the final 1:07, shooting 10-for-12 from the line.

McGrady, his first step diminished after turning an ankle early, used his outside game to score 25 points. Grant Hill had 22 points and a season-high 13 rebounds, while Mike Miller had 18 points.

Aside from those three players, the Magic shot 27 percent (10-for-37).

“I thought this was a very winnable game for us, even after Tracy’s ankle,” Orlando coach Doc Rivers said. “Some of our shooters didn’t make shots.”

Knicks 125, Cavaliers 93

New York – Allan Houston scored 29 points and Kurt Thomas had a career-high six blocks to go with 22 points, helping the New York Knicks deal the Cleveland Cavaliers their 15th straight loss.

Dajuan Wagner had 25 points and 10 assists for the Cavs, who are closing in on the longest losing streak in franchise history – 19 games during the 1981-82 season.

Orlando's Tracy McGrady tips the ball away from Boston's Paul Pierce, left, during the first half of Monday's game in Orlando, Fla. Pierce scored 27 points, leading Boston to a 102-97 victory against the Magic.

Mavs 113, Raptors 102

Dallas – Steve Nash scored seven of his 25 points during a crucial fourth-quarter run, and Dallas extended its home winning streak to nine games. Dirk Nowitzki added 23 points.

Alvin Williams scored 27 points, Morris Peterson added 24 and Antonio Davis scored 18 for the Raptors, who lost for the seventh time in nine games.

Jazz 102, Pacers 91

Salt Lake City – John Stockton had 22 points and 10 assists, and Karl Malone added 21 points as Utah beat Indiana.

Jermaine O’Neal led the Pacers with 25 points.

Heat 100, Suns 90, OT

Phoenix – Travis Best made a tying layup with 37 seconds left in regulation, then added three baskets in overtime to lead Miami. Eddie Jones led Miami with 21 points, rookie Caron Butler had 20 and Brian Grant had 17 points and 17 rebounds.

Shawn Marion topped the Suns with 30 points and rookie Amare Stoudemire had 20.