BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 27 points and the Boston Celtics improved to 4-0 with a 97-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night.

Chris Paul had 22 points and eight assists for New Orleans, and then had to be held back after the game when he tried to follow the Celtics off the court to their locker room. Paul and Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo also exchanged words in the second quarter, drawing matching technical fouls.
Ray Allen scored 17, Kevin Garnett had 14 and Rondo had 10 assists for Boston, which pulled away with an 11-3 run in the last 4 minutes.
Peja Stojakovic scored 26 as a reserve for New Orleans, including 6-for-10 3-point shooting. Emeka Okafor had 10 rebounds for New Orleans.