NEW YORK, 28 January 2005 — Paul Pierce scored 23 points and Ricky Davis added 18 to spark the Boston Celtics to a 100-86 win over the Indiana Pacers Wednesday.

Back in Indiana’s lineup for the first time since receiving a 30-game ban for brawling with Detroit fans November 19, forward Stephen Jackson played 38 minutes and contributed 17 points.

Jackson, whose suspension was the third longest in NBA history, showed no signs of rust, hitting his first three shots. But his production tailed off in the second half, picking up only six points.

Raef LaFrentz had 12 points and 11 rebounds while Gary Payton chipped in with 10 points as the Celtics won at home for the ninth time in 10 games to move top of the Atlantic Division.

In Cleveland, LeBron James continued his torrid play with 27 points, a career-high 15 assists and nine rebounds to power the Cavaliers to a 114-111 win over the undermanned Memphis Grizzlies.

James crumpled to the floor in pain clutching his left ankle with less than 10 minutes to play. He was helped off by teammates before returning to the court to thunderous applause with 4:53 to go to help seal the victory.

The Grizzlies, without leading scorer Pau Gasol, suffered their third loss in 15 games.

In Auburn Hills, Ben Wallace notched 14 points and 12 rebounds as the NBA champion Detroit Pistons broke out of a season-high, four-game losing skid with an 87-70 rout of the Denver Nuggets.

The Pistons received double figure efforts from six players and limited Carmelo Anthony to five points.

In Milwaukee, Shawn Marion drained 24 points while Amare Stoudemire added 23 and Steve Nash had 21 points and 17 assists to help the high-flying Phoenix Suns tame the Bucks 121-115 for their third straight win.

In Washington, Gilbert Arenas poured in 33 points to carry the Wizards to a 117-107 triumph over the Philadelphia 76ers, who were without Allen Iverson.

With Iverson out due to a shoulder problem, Willie Green did his best to fill the void, hitting for a career-high 32 points. Washington’s victory was the team’s fourth in a row. In Los Angeles, Elton Brand scored 28 points and Bobby Simmons 20 as the Clippers pounded the Lakers 105-89 to register the first win over their city rivals in six contests.

In New Orleans, Tracy McGrady had 33 points and Yao Ming chipped in with 12 points and 13 rebounds as the Houston Rockets squeezed past the last-place Hornets 82-77.

In Toronto, Shaquille O’Neal claimed 33 points and 18 rebounds and Dwyane Wade added 16 points while dishing out 10 assists to drive the Miami Heat to a 111-96 win over the Raptors.

In Salt Lake City, the Utah Jazz had seven players in double figures, led by 20 points from Raul Lopez, to defeat the Seattle SuperSonics 109-100 and break out of a two-game losing skid.

In Minneapolis, Latrell Sprewell notched a season-high 32 points and Kevin Garnett posted 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Atlanta Hawks 104-87.

In Portland, Dirk Nowitzki recorded 24 points and 15 rebounds and Michael Finley added 22 points to guide the Dallas Mavericks to a 95-88 victory over the Trail Blazers. In Oakland, Brian Scalabrine had 29 points as the New Jersey Nets cruised past the Golden State Warriors 113-99.

Meantime, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James’s injury will have treatment to determine whether he misses any games.

James sprained his left ankle in Wednesday’s game with Memphis but returned to lead the Cavaliers to victory.

“I know (Thursday) I’m going to wake up and my ankle is going to be on fire,” James told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I’m not going to be able to walk, but I just ignored that feeling and went back into the game ready to play.”

James walked out of the arena with an air cast on his leg. He said x-rays on the ankle would probably be done on Thursday.

“I’m going to do as much treatment as I can so I can prepare myself to play,” he said. “If I’m not able to play, my team mates will have to step up.”

James already was wearing a mask to protect his broken left cheek, which he injured earlier this season.

The latest injury occurred when James landed on the foot of Memphis’ Dahntay Jones, who was closely guarding him, causing his ankle to turn.

Heat Sign Troubled Forward Qyntel Woods

In Miami, Qyntel Woods, twice suspended, arrested and waived by Portland since the start of the National Basketball Association season, will get a chance to start over in Miami.

The Heat signed Woods on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed. Woods was in the final year of a three-year, $ 1.1 million rookie contract he signed in 2002 with the Trail Blazers, who released him from the suspended list five days ago.

On Friday, the 23-year-old Woods pleaded guilty in an Oregon court to abusing his pit bull. He was sentenced to 12 months probation and 80 hours of community service.

The plea deal stemmed from an incident for which Woods was being investigated for a felony charge that he had participated in or possibly hosted a dog-fighting event. The Trail Blazers suspended him on October 12.

While suspended, Woods was found to be in violation of the NBA’s Anti-Drug Program and drew a five-game suspension from the league.

He will begin serving that suspension on Wednesday, when he joined the Heat’s active roster. He will be eligible to play on February 5.