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Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Ray Allen poured in 26 points and seven rebounds and drilled a critical three-pointer with two minutes left, and Boston extended New Jersey's woes with a 96-87 win at TD Garden.
Rajon Rondo scored 17 points and dished out 11 assists for the Celtics, who have beaten the Nets 12 straight times since the tail end of the 2006-07 season. Glen Davis had 13 points, while Eddie House scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter.
Brook Lopez had 19 points and six rebounds to lead the Nets, who have lost 25 of their 26 road games this season. Devin Harris added 17 points and eight assists, as New Jersey stayed even with the 1972-73 76ers through 49 games (4-45) for the worst record of all time.
The Nets held a surprising 73-72 lead entering the fourth quarter, but Boston took over in the early stages of the final period.
A 14-4 run by the Celtics began the quarter, providing a nine-point advantage. House hit a pair of shots -- one from long distance -- to begin the rally, and Allen's layup gave Boston an 86-77 lead just past the midway point. House had 10 points during the spurt.
House had a potential three-pointer disallowed due to a shot-clock violation with just under four minutes to play, and New Jersey took advantage with Courtney Lee's triple for an 91-84 game.
The Celtics, though, answered with a layup from Perkins and a three from Allen to go ahead by nine, 93-84, with two minutes to play, and the Nets didn't get closer than six from there.
Boston ended a closely contested first quarter on a 6-2 burst to take a 29-25 lead into the second, but it was the Nets who led at halftime.
The Celtics had a 37-30 advantage a couple minutes into the second quarter, but New Jersey responded with a 12-4 burst and held a 42-41 edge following a Lopez free throw with under six minutes left.
The hosts retook a one-point lead moments later until seven straight points by the Nets gave them a 55-49 lead with just seconds left on the clock. Rondo's two free throws accounted for the four-point halftime margin.
Boston scored the first five points of the third to regain the lead, then neither team held more than a three-point lead for the remainder of the quarter. Davis' free throw with 9.1 ticks to go sent the Celtics to the fourth down, 73-72.
The Celtics have won all three games against New Jersey this season...The Nets have lost 13 straight road games...The 1972-73 Sixers didn't notch their fifth win of the season until their 63rd game. They finished 9-73...Boston has won three straight since a three-game losing streak...The Celtics played without guard Paul Pierce, who sat out with a strained left foot...Boston is 15-8 at home this season...Lee had 12 points for the Nets, who got 10 points apiece from Yi Jianlian and Jarvis Hayes...Kevin Garnett had 10 points and seven rebounds for the Celtics.