With Kevin Garnett in foul trouble and sitting on the bench at the TD BankNorth Garden for large periods of time the Boston Celtics knew they had to lean on others if they were to beat the New Jersey Nets for their 7th win of the year.
And a lot of guys chipped in as the Celtics overcame some first half sluggishness and beat the Nets 91-69 to remain the only unbeaten team in the NBA. Garnett only played 30 minutes but produced a team high 16 points, captain Paul Pierce contributed 15 points, Ray Allen had 14, Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen had 13 a piece and Kendrick Perkins put up 10 as a half dozen Celtics were in double figures. It was the teams second win over New Jersey since Saturday night and was the second time this week the Green won both ends of a back-to-back.
The 7-0 start is the franchises best in 35 years. The best start ever by a Boston team was in 1957-58 when they started 14-0 behind some guys named Russell and Cousy.
The Celtics really looked off their game in the first half trailing at times by 7 points before they started to find their mojo near the half and went to the locker room with a 36-34 lead. Garnett equated it to a bar fight after the game.
Garnett and Perkins led Boston with 8 boards each while Ray Allen had 6 assists and 4 steals.
The Nets were paced by Richard Jefferson who had 21 points, Jason Kidd put in 19 points, 7 assists and 9 rebounds and Sean Williams, a rookie from Boston College, had 14 points in his return to the Hub.
The Celtics were without Eddie House and the Nets played without Vince Carter. Both players have ankle injuries.
The Celtics host Dwayne Wade, Shaq and the Heat Friday night at the TD BankNorth Garden.
