EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey, (Reuters) – The Boston Celtics bounced back from their first loss of the season to record an 86-76 victory over the winless New Jersey Nets on Saturday.
Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo each scored 16 points as the Celtics broke open a close game by outscoring the Nets (0-7) 27-15 in the fourth quarter.
“I thought we were just standing around a lot,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “It’s funny the best movement we had all game was the last five minutes of the game.”
The Celtics (7-1) had won six consecutive games to start the season before losing on Friday to the Phoenix Suns.
Brook Lopez scored 23 points and Rafer Alston 20 to keep short-handed New Jersey in the game.
Boston, who had a poor night shooting, trailed 61-59 after three quarters — which Pierce attributed to fatigue — before they outscored New Jersey 7-3 in the opening minutes of the fourth.
“I think maybe it’s starting to show,” the Boston forward said. “We knew this was going to be a tough stretch, eight games in 12 days, but we were able to get through it 6-1, so we’re happy with that.”
New Jersey, because of injuries and illness, used only eight players.
“With so many guys out, lots of guys are having to play in different spots and positions, so sometimes you don’t know where to move because you’re not used to playing that position,” Alston said.
The Nets committed 23 turnovers and the Celtics made 20 steals, five by Rondo, in defeating New Jersey for the 10th consecutive time.
“I’ve never seen a team have 20 steals,” said Nets coach Lawrence Frank, who praised the resolve of his team despite its shortcomings. “Our guys are battling … and we will break through, we’re not discouraged.”
