Celts end 17-year drought at Spurs.

SAN ANTONIO - Paul Pierce led Boston with 30 points as the Celtics beat the Spurs, 91-85, last night for their first victory in San Antonio in more than 17 years.

Delonte West had 23 points, Al Jefferson added 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo grabbed 14 rebounds during the Celtics' St. Patrick's Day matchup.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 30 points. Tim Duncan added 20 points and 16 rebounds and Michael Finley had 10 points.

The Celtics last beat the Spurs in San Antonio on Feb. 14, 1990. The Spurs had won 18 straight against the Celtics and 15 straight at home.

Boston had last beaten the Spurs on Jan. 8, 1997, the season before Duncan entered the NBA.

The Spurs were down, 75-62, at the beginning of the fourth quarter. They never led in the game and had been behind by 19.

But, as they've made a habit of doing when down at home, the Spurs turned it on to start the fourth.

They went on a 15-4 run, highlighted by Finley's dunk and key 3-pointer, that brought them within two points with 6:31 left. Parker made two foul shots 59 seconds later to tie it at 81, then passed on the next possession to Duncan, who went well above the rim to jam it for an 83-81 lead.

Pierce tied it again, then Duncan matched him for a Spurs lead.

After Pierce tied it at 85, Bruce Bowen committed a turnover, leading to Gerald Green's dunk with 1:05 remaining.

Parker was called for traveling and Pierce converted a jumper with 17 seconds left for an 89-85 lead. West then made two foul shots with 7 seconds left to clinch the win for Boston.

The Spurs were coming off a 101-90 loss in Milwaukee on Thursday that snapped their season-high 13-game winning streak.

The Celtics, who have the league's second-worst record, lost Friday to the Dallas Mavericks, 106-101.

When the teams met in Boston in January, the Spurs nearly blew the game in the fourth when the Celtics used a late 13-0 run to make it close. The Spurs held on for a 93-89 victory, after having led by 23 in the third quarter.

Boston got off to a fast start last night, holding the Spurs to 15 points and taking a 14-point lead into the second period.

Boston kept a double-digit lead throughout the second until Duncan stole the ball from Kendrick Perkins and was able to get it to Brent Barry, who threw the long pass to an all-alone Parker for the fast-break layup with 6:19 left. Parker's score brought the Spurs within nine.

The Spurs used Boston's foul trouble and poor shooting from the field (28 percent in the period) to get within 45-40 at the half.

Boston opened the second half with a 10-0 run until Parker's score more than 3-1/2 minutes in.

NAME: BOSTON CELTICS

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Boston's Paul Pierce sails to the basket during the second quarter.

PHOTOG: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS