BOSTON (AP) – Paul Pierce scored 36 points, Wally Szczerbiak added 18, and the Boston Celtics snapped the Denver Nuggets’ four-game winning streak with a 106-101 victory Sunday night.

Pierce, who has scored at least 30 points in 14 of 16 games, shot 15-of-23 to lead five Celtics in double figures. He also had four assists and three steals to help the Celtics win for the third time in four games and end a three-game losing streak against the Nuggets.

The Nuggets led the entire first half, but there were 13 ties and 17 lead changes in the second half. Pierce gave the Celtics the lead for good on a dunk from the baseline with 2:43 remaining.

The Nuggets went the final 4:35 without a field goal.

After Delonte West missed a 3-pointer from the baseline with 1:12 left, Ryan Gomes stole Kenyon Martin’s outlet pass. On the ensuing possession, Pierce made a 17-foot fadeaway jumper to extend the Celtics’ lead to 104-101.

Carmelo Anthony then missed a layup on the Nuggets’ possession, and Pierce iced the game for Boston with a bank shot from just inside the 3-point line.

West, who returned to the lineup after missing three games with a strained right groin, had 12 points and five assists. Gomes added 11 points and 11 rebounds and the Celtics improved to 9-5 with him in the starting lineup.

Anthony scored 36 points, but was held to 10 in the second half.

The Nuggets fell to 8-3 when Anthony scores at least 35 points.

Anthony made his first 11 shots and scored 26 first-half points to lead the Nuggets to a 58-56 halftime lead.

He didn’t miss until his 30-foot heave at the buzzer in the second quarter rimmed out. He then missed his first three attempts of the second half, and the Celtics took advantage.

Boston trailed by as many as 12 in the first half, but went on a 13-4 run spanning both halves to close the gap.

West’s layup with 10:42 remaining in the third tied the game at 60. After Ruben Patterson made 1-of-2 free throws, Raef LaFrentz made a 3-pointer to give the Celtics their first lead of the game, 63-61.

The Nuggets fell to 2-1 on their seven-game, 10-day road trip.

Andre Miller scored 19 and Patterson added 14 for the Nuggets, who fell to 5-2 with Patterson in the starting lineup.

Notes: The Celtics wore their gold-trimmed St. Patrick’s Day uniform for the first time. … The Celtics are 27-6 all time at home against the Nuggets. … Martin came off the bench after missing four games with tendinitis in his left knee. He had five points and five rebounds. … Kendrick Perkins returned to the Celtics’ lineup after missing 13 games with a dislocated left shoulder. … Former Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins is traveling with the Nuggets on their road trip. … The Celtics have never been swept by the Nuggets in consecutive seasons. … The Nuggets are 9-17 with Martin and Marcus Camby both in the lineup.

AP-ES-03-12-06 2048EST