Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Paul Pierce led six Boston players in double figures with 22 points, and the Celtics hammered the New Jersey Nets, 118-86, at TD Banknorth Garden.
Kevin Garnett added 20 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics, who have won three in a row following a four-game skid. Rajon Rondo totaled 11 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists as Boston moved to 20-2 at home this season.
Devin Harris scored 17, but had six of New Jersey's 20 turnovers. Ryan Anderson, Brook Lopez and Keyon Dooling each scored 13 for the Nets, who host Portland on Thursday before playing the Celtics again on Saturday afternoon, this time at the Meadowlands.
Vince Carter, who played 26 minutes despite suffering a right ankle injury in the first quarter, was limited to four points on 1-of-10 shooting as the Nets lost to Boston for a sixth straight time.
Boston was ahead by 10 at the half, but the Celtics put the game away in the third quarter when Pierce had 18 of the team's 37 points. He made all five of his three-point attempts in the period and a free throw from the veteran moved the Celtics ahead 64-44 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the stanza.
A three-ball from Pierce, who was dubbed "Superman" by Garnett after Monday's overtime victory over Toronto, widened the margin to 84-58 with just over a minute remaining in the third. It was 88-60 heading to the fourth.
Eddie House accounted for seven consecutive Boston points during the final quarter, as the Celtics cruised down the stretch.
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Brian Scalabrine's jumper made it 8-2 in favor of Boston, and despite the Nets rallying later in the period, the Celtics were in front 30-23 going to the second quarter.
Boston held a sizeable lead throughout the second, on the way to a 51-41 cushion at intermission.
