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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
BOSTON (AP) -- Boston's winning streak was the only thing on forward Antoine Walker's mind after his second-quarter injury.
Walker scored 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds despite playing on an injured left foot that sidelined him early in the game as the Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 93-77 on Sunday.
|  | | Allen Iverson scored 21 points, but it wasn't enough to save the Sixers. |
"It feels great," said Walker of his team's recent success while his heavily-taped foot was buried in an ice-filled bucket. "I wasn't going to stop playing. It really had to have swollen up."
Walker, who limped off in the opening minute of the second quarter with what was diagnosed as a sprained left foot and was taken for x-rays, re-entered the game late in the quarter and picked up where he left off. He had 12 points before the injury that left him limping for most of the game.
"A whole lot of pain," said Walker of when he came out of the game after his foot was stepped on while driving to the basket. "I was just trying to block it out."
Paul Pierce had 29 points and Tony Battie added 11 points and 11 boards for the Celtics, who matched their season-high with their fourth consecutive win.
Boston, coming off a season-high 19 steals in a 104-74 blowout over Chicago Friday, forced 25 turnovers by the 76ers, their most this season. Philadelphia also hit just 15-of-29 free throws.
"We shot fifty percent from the line, turned the ball over 25 times and were outrebounded," Philadelphia coach Larry Brown said. "You can't do that and win."
Allen Iverson's 21 points led the 76ers, who dropped their second straight after winning four in a row. Eric Snow tied his season-high with 18 points and Matt Geiger had 13 rebounds.
The Celtics shot just 38.7 percent, including 1-for-15 on 3-point attempts. But it was their defense, especially containing Iverson, that made the difference.
"We said all year long if we're going to win games and go to the playoffs, its going to be with defense," Pierce said. "We didn't get down on ourselves when (Walker) went out. He was one of the reasons we had the lead, but other guys had to step up."
Boston, which held a 14-point halftime lead, had the first two baskets of the second half and pushed it to 56-38 before missing its next 10 shots as the 76ers closed to 61-55 on Toni Kukoc's short jumper.
The Celtics then scored the next 10 points, moving their lead to 71-55 on Walker's one-hander in the lane.
Boston made it 78-58 early in the fourth quarter, but the 76ers scored the next nine points before the Celtics put it away with a 7-0 spurt over the ensuing 72 seconds.
Pierce had six points as Boston broke to a 10-2 edge in the game's opening 3:41 and held a 31-21 lead after one.
Midway into the second quarter, the Celtics used an 8-1 run to open a 41-24 advantage on Dana Barros' fastbreak layup and led 52-38 at the half.
"We played a terrific game on the defensive end," Boston coach Rick Pitino said. "In the last three weeks we've concentrated on defense more than anything and we're picking up our steals."
Game notes
All of Boston's wins during its streak have come at home after coach Rick Pitino blasted the fans following a last-second loss to Toronto March 1.... Walker said afterwards that he will have to "suck it up for (Monday's) game" in Detroit. ... Former 76ers assistant coach John Calipari was not with the team for the first time after officially being named Memphis' coach Saturday. ... Philadelphia's next win ties its most (35) since 1991-92.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Philadelphia Clubhouse
Boston Clubhouse
RECAPS
Miami 105
Indiana 96
Boston 93
Philadelphia 77
Milwaukee 103
Cleveland 72
New Jersey 129
Orlando 91
New York 93
San Antonio 80
Toronto 99
Seattle 97
Portland 102
Washington 86
LA Clippers 112
Golden State 103
LA Lakers 109
Sacramento 106
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