Basketball: Celtics on top

The Boston Celtics put the Orlando Magic in peril with a 95-92 triumph in the NBA yesterday, capturing the second straight game on their opponents' home floor to earn a tight grip on the Eastern Conference final series.

Paul Pierce scored 22 of his 28 points in the first half and the streaking Celtics withstood a late Magic run to seize a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series which moves to Boston on Monday.