EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce each
scored 16 points, and the Boston Celtics bounced back from their
first loss of the season to beat the winless New Jersey Nets 86-76
on Saturday night
Ray Allen came alive after three dismal quarters to score eight
of his 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics (7-1), who
lost 110-103 to Phoenix on Friday night, allowing 20 more points
than in any previous game.
Their defense was back Saturday - and it needed to be, because
the Celtics couldn't shoot for most of the night. Boston finished
with 20 steals, five by Rondo, scoring 19 points off New Jersey's
24 turnovers.
Brook Lopez, the only regular starter available, scored 23
points, and Rafer Alston had 20 for the Nets (0-7).

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)