Boston ? Richard Jefferson and the New Jersey Nets are rolling again at the right time.

With the Atlantic Division lead in jeopardy, Jefferson matched his career-high with 27 points and the Nets held on to first place with an 87-74 win against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.

The Nets are 3-1 in their last four games after struggling through a 1-7 slump. In his previous 10 games, Jefferson averaged only 11.5 points and hit 33 percent of his shots.

“This is huge. People had really started to talk bad about us and write us off,” Jefferson said.

He was 11-of-20 from the field as the Nets remained a half game ahead of Philadelphia in the division and moved three games in front of third-place Boston.

“He was aggressive. It’s about time,” said Kenyon Martin, whose 22 points gave New Jersey’s starting forwards a total of 49. “That’s the way I expect him to play. I’m not surprised.”

Jefferson and Martin also played tight defense on Paul Pierce, who scored 23 points, and Antoine Walker, who had 14.

“We’re not executing our game plan when we play a team like New Jersey,” said Pierce, a former Kansas University standout. “For some reason, they have our number.”

The Nets beat the Celtics last week in New Jersey, 90-75, but Boston came back to beat Eastern Conference leader Detroit Saturday. The Celtics shot only 3-of-20 from three-point range against the Pistons and were 1-for-21 against the Nets.

“Every game is important. This is a big loss for us,” Walker said. “We had an opportunity to help ourselves out” in the standings.

Pierce didn’t return after spraining his left ankle with seven seconds left in the third quarter.

Boston's Paul Pierce, left, battles New Jersey's Jason Kidd for the ball. Pierce scored 23 points, but the Nets defeated the Celtics, 87-74, Tuesday night in Boston.

“It’s feeling all right,” said Pierce, who expects to be ready for tonight’s game at Indiana.

Kings 117, Warriors 91

Sacramento, Calif. — Former Jayhawk Scot Pollard had 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Peja Stojakovic scored 20 points to lead seven Kings in double figures as Sacramento beat Golden State for the 14th straight time. Chris Webber had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Jim Jackson scored 14 points. Sacramento has won 18 of its last 19 home meetings with Golden State.

Jazz 99, Nuggets 81

Salt Lake City — Matt Harpring scored 22 points and Karl Malone added 18 while collecting his 5,000th career assist as Utah defeated Denver. Harpring shot 9-of-11, making three three-pointers, as Utah led by double digits for almost all of the final three quarters.

Mavericks 114, Cavaliers 93

Dallas — Steve Nash came back after a one-point first half and scored 18 during a third-quarter surge as Dallas shook off a lethargic start and won its third straight.

Knicks 105, Spurs 97

San Antonio — Allan Houston scored 36 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as New York snapped the Spurs’ six-game winning streak. Houston was coming off a 50-point performance in his last game, a victory over the Bucks that kept the Knicks in the playoff picture.

Bulls 103, Hawks 78

Chicago — Jalen Rose broke out of his scoring slump with 31 points, and Tyson Chandler had a double-double as Chicago routed Atlanta.

Timberwolves 96, Grizzlies 80

Minneapolis — Kevin Garnett made eight consecutive field goals in the second half and finished with 29 points and 19 rebounds as Minnesota ended Memphis’ six-game winning streak.

SuperSonics 100, Rockets 94

Seattle — Rashard Lewis scored 25 points and Ray Allen had 23 to lead Seattle past Houston. Lewis shot 10-of-20 from the field for Seattle.

Pistons 94, Wizards 90, OT

Washington — Richard Hamilton damaged his former team’s playoff prospects by scoring six of his 16 points in overtime, helping Detroit defeat Washington. Hamilton, who shot just 4-of-12 in regulation, was 3-of-5 in the extra period.

Sixers 103, Heat 83

Miami — Allen Iverson scored 32 points and Philadelphia kept pace with the Nets in the Atlantic Division by coasting past Miami. The Sixers, 15-2 since the All-Star break, stayed a half-game behind New Jersey for first place in the Atlantic Division, improving to 40-26.