Talking Points: Celtics 107, Nets 94

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Hot shot: Paul Pierce scored just 33 seconds into the game, and continued to pour on the points in just about every way imaginable. By the end of the night, Pierce had a team-high 27 points on 10-for-14 shooting, in addition to grabbing four rebounds and doling out eight assists.

"Paul Pierce tonight, that's why his jersey is going to be hanging from the rafters one day," said Nets coach Avery Johnson. "Just tough to cover. He beat our traps, he beat single coverage, we fronted him and he still beat us."

In-n-out: This was not one of DeShawn Stevenson's better games, for sure. Known primarily as a defender, Stevenson had no answer for Pierce. And offensively, he was even worse. He finished with three points, missing five of the six shots he took from the field.
Super sub: If the Celtics keep winning like this and Chris Wilcox continues to play well, he may soon enter the conversation as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate. After tallying double-digit rebounding numbers in the two games prior to Friday night's matchup with the Nets, Wilcox had 14 points against New Jersey in addition to grabbing seven rebounds.

Turning point: In the second quarter, a free throw by Brook Lopez cut Boston's lead to 3430 with 7:02 to play in the half. From there, Boston went on an 181 run to take a commanding 21-point lead. Boston would lead by at least 13 points for the rest of the game.
By the numbers: 9. That would be the number of double-digit rebounding games Kevin Garnett has this season. The rest of the Celtics have combined for 10.
Quote to note: "It's like deja vu. It's just part of life."Celtics' Rajon Rondo on the trade rumors.

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