Sports briefs

TENNISSerena continues roll

Serena Williams proved the break between seasons hasn't hurt her momentum, capturing her 47th career title with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Saturday in the Brisbane International final. Williams has won 35 of her past 36 matches, including titles at Wimbledon, the Olympics, the U.S. Open, the season-ending WTA championships and now the first event of 2013.

BASEBALLBerkman to Rangers?

A person familiar with the situation says the Texas Rangers are close to a deal with Lance Berkman to be their designated hitter. Multiple reports, all citing unidentified sources, said it would be a one-year deal worth at least $10 million. Berkman was limited by injuries to 32 games for St. Louis last season.

NBA

Celtics beat Hawks

Paul Pierce scored 26 points and Rajon Rondo had 14 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for the visiting Celtics, who came back from a 19-point deficit to earn an 89-81 win over the Hawks. Lou Williams led the Hawks with 28 points . . . Tony Parker had 20 points and Manu Ginobili 19 as the host Spurs defeated the 76ers, 109-86 . . . Chris Paul had 27 points and nine assists and Blake Griffin added 20 points as the host Clippers beat the Warriors, 115-89 . . . James Harden scored 29 points and Jeremy Lin added 20 as the visiting Rockets defeated the Cavaliers, 112-104. Kyrie Irving led the Cavs with 30 points . . . Danilo Gallinari scored 26 points as the host Nuggets beat the Jazz, 110-91 . . . Eric Gordon's three-point play with 4.7 seconds left in overtime gave the visiting Hornets a 99-96 win over the Mavericks, who have lost 10 straight overtime games.