The Boston Celtics rode a second-half surge to secure a 94-74 win over the Houston Rockets, ending the Rockets' 22-game winning streak in a battle of the NBA's top two teams.

Houston's streak had been the second longest in NBA history.

The league's longest winning run was 33 games by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers.

Kevin Garnett scored 22 points to pace the Celtics as the Eastern Conference leaders - who have won 13 of their past 14 games - raised their league-best record to 54-13.

The Rockets, who came into the game in sole possession of first place in the Western Conference, dropped to 46-21 and into a tie for first with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Rockets went toe-to-toe with the Celtics in the first half, with both teams playing smothering defense and going into the locker room tied at 40-40.

But the Celtics capitalised on their superior size to outscore the Rockets 32-16 in the third quarter and waltz home from there with an easy win.

"We didn't want to have the streak continue on us," said Boston forward Paul Pierce, who scored 20 points.

"This was a game that we wanted and we took care of business."

Luis Scola, who led the Rockets with 15 points and eight rebounds, said his team were outplayed by the Celtics.

"It's just basketball, it happens. We've got to give them credit, they played a great game," he said.

Rockets coach Rick Adelman said the Rockets' streak had been "a great run" but now the team must focus on the remaining 15 games of the season and try to secure a playoff spot in the tightly-bunched West.

Only 4.5 games separate the top eight teams in the Western Conference. Each conference has eight playoff spots.

"Sure it was great and we rode it a long time, and my perspective today is we've got a one-game losing streak," Adelman said.

"You've got to forget about it."

Elsewhere, the Lakers almost blew a 25-point lead but held on for a 102-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks which lifted them back to the top of the Western Conference standings.

The Lakers, without the injured Pau Gasol, moved into a tie for first place with the Rockets.

"The win was big," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "It was a tribute to our defense.

"We got stops when we needed to, even though Dirk [Nowitzki] and Jason Terry hit some big shots."

The Lakers led by 25 midway through the third quarter before the Mavericks ended it with a 14-1 run and opened the fourth with a 9-2 spurt.

Dallas never did catch up and Nowitzki, who had 35 points and 11 rebounds, missed a three-point shot as time expired that would have won the game.

"I think it's an example of how close the race is, in terms of the capabilities of each team," said Lakers guard Derek Fisher.

"On any given night, either of the two teams is capable of being the best.

"I don't think there are any foregone conclusions in terms of two teams in the Western Conference when they match up.

"You don't always have a clue of what the outcome is going to be. The top eight or 11 teams are that good this season."

Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and had seven assists, Odom had 17 points and 17 rebounds and Vladimir Radmanovic scored 10 of his season-high 21 points in the fourth quarter for the Lakers.

Los Angeles played their second straight game without Gasol, who has a sprained ankle.

Josh Howard and Terry added 19 points apiece for the Mavericks, who have struggled against the top teams since acquiring nine-times All-Star Jason Kidd from the New Jersey Nets at the trade deadline.

"We dug ourselves a big hole and we didn't do anything right in the first half," said Dallas coach Avery Johnson.

"We didn't execute our system or the game plan, we weren't hustling enough. But, boy, the light switched on and we started hustling."

Reuters