After Six Attempts Garnett, Celtics Nails Suns 117-97

Boston, MA (AHN) - Kevin Garnett scored 30 points and Paul Pierce added 27 points lifting the Celtics past the Suns after six attempts with a 117-97 victory on Wednesday night.

Ray Allen chipped in 14 points and eight assists, while Kendrick Perkins added 13 points and 10 rebounds for Boston which snapped a two-game losing streak while improving its season record to 24-5 against the celebrated Western Conference teams.

Rajon Rondo contributed 14 points and six boards for the Celtics victory, after losing to the Detroit Pistons two days ago. The Celtics now improves its record 56-16, the NBA-best so far this season.

The Celtics, which beat the Suns for just the third time since 2001, had to fend off the Suns comeback after giving up a 15-point advantage in the first quarter. Phoenix managed to tie the score at the end of the half at 57.

The Suns managed to tie it again just inside the third period at 65 all before the Celtics unleashed a barrage of six straight baskets, and scoring 15 more including a four-point play courtesy of James Posey, who was knocked down by Amare Stoudemire after drilling from the 3-point arc. Shaquille O'Neal got a technical after giving Rondo an elbow with 1:24 remaining in the period, with Allen sinking the free throw making it an 80-69 advantage for Boston.

Amare Stoudemire led with 32 while O'Neal had 16 with seven rebounds for the Suns, who have lost two straight since posting a seven-game winning streak with O' Neal on the line-up.