Recap: New Jersey vs. Boston

Sports Network | November 8, 2009

East Rutherford, NJ (Sports Network) - Rajon Rondo recorded 16 points and five steals, while Paul Pierce chipped in 16 points and seven assists, as the Celtics came alive late to upend the winless Nets, 86-76.

Ray Allen scored eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, and Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins each tallied nine points to go with 13 and eight rebounds, respectively, in the win.

Boston was coming off its first loss of the season, a 110-103 setback to Phoenix on Friday, while the Nets have dropped their first seven games in the worst start in franchise history.

Brook Lopez donated a game-high 23 points while grabbing seven rebounds, and Rafer Alston logged 20 points and seven assists for New Jersey, which turned the ball over 24 times in the loss.

"We put our best foot forward, we battled them for pretty much 48 minutes," Lopez said. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Boston's Brian Scalabrine opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer and a jumper to give the visitors a 64-61 lead.

It was a one-point game before a pair of Allen buckets sparked an 8-2 Celtics run that helped them pull away four minutes in.

"We got good looks [in the fourth quarter]," Allen said. "The last couple of games we've been getting good looks but not knocking them down."

Lopez's basket with three minutes left cut New Jersey's deficit to 82-76, but the Nets missed their final eight shots to fall just short.

A low-scoring first quarter finished close, 19-18, and both teams scored 21 in the second as the Nets went up 40-39 at halftime.

Boston was held without a field goal in the final 5 1/2 minutes of the third, but still only trailed 61-59 heading into the fourth.

Nets forward Chris Douglas-Roberts tested positive for the H1N1 virus before the game and did not play. Also for New Jersey, Devin Harris missed his fifth straight game with a strained groin, Yi Jianlian was out with a right MCL sprain and Courtney Lee was sidelined with a strained left groin...Boston has won 10 straight matchups with the Nets...Josh Boone grabbed 12 rebounds for the Nets.