Big Ticket Leads Cetics To Easy Win Over Phoenix 117-97

Kevin Garnett scored 30 points, leading all five Boston Celtics starters in double figures as Boston defeated the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night 117-97 at the “New Garden.” The win ended a two game losing steak for the Green Team who improved to 24-5 against the NBA Western Conference. Phoenix actually had a better shooting percentage than the Celtics (55.9%/52.3%) but Boston hit more shots ( 45-86/38-68.)

Boston broke out to a healthy lead at the end of the first quarter as they had a 33-20 advantage at the end of the first period. Phoenix came back with a flurry in the second quarter, however, and the two teams were deadlocked at 57-57 as the two teams went to their respective locker rooms at the half. The Celtics broke the game open in the third quarter as they were up 84-73 at the end of the period. The Suns never got within single digits of Boston in the fourth.

The “Big Ticket” scored 30 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, in the Boston victory. Paul Pierce scored 27 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Ray Allen scored 14 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal. Rajon Rondo scored 14 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, Kendrick Perkins recorded a double-double as he scored 13 points, 10 boards, 1 block.

Amare Stoudemire led all scorers with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block. Shaquille O’Neal scored 16 points, 7 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, Boris Diaw scored 15 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. Steve Nash scored 12 points, 9 assists, 2 rebounds, Gordan Giricek scored 11 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. Boston is now 56-15, the Suns are 47-24.