By Joe Rizzo
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
<div class="pre">EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) The Boston Celtics' Big</div>Three is bigger than the New Jersey Nets'.
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen combined for 73 points,25 rebounds and 13 assists as the Celtics remained unbeatenthrough five games with a 112-101 victory over the Nets in anearly battle of the favorites in the Atlantic Division.
Richard Jefferson scored 26 points and Vince Carter added 17 forthe Nets, who lost for the second time in six games to open theseason.
Carter sprained his right ankle with 1:19 left in the thirdquarter, when he landed on Pierce's left foot following a dunk.Carter limped off under assistance and went directly to thelocker room and did not return. X-rays proved negative.
A free throw by Pierce with 5:10 left in the second quarter gaveBoston the lead for good, 42-41. But it was Pierce's 26-foot3-pointer with 3:51 left in the third quarter that capped a 20-3run that bridged the halves and blew open the game, giving theCeltics a 75-55 bulge.
Pierce finished with 28 points - all after the first period.Allen added 27 points, nine rebounds and four 3-pointers andGarnett 18 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
Carter's layup pulled the Nets within 57-52 in the final minuteof the first half, but Garnett's 16-foot turnaround jumper atthe buzzer kicked off the decisive run. Pierce had 10 points inthe run, while Allen added four.
New Jersey pulled within 105-97 with 80 seconds left, but JasonKidd missed a layup and Pierce knocked down two free throws toice it.
Kidd, the other member of New Jersey's Big Three, finished with17 points, 12 assists and six rebounds for the Nets, who startedhot but failed to open a big lead.
The Nets' Big Three totaled each of their 27 first-quarterpoints, with Jefferson's 13 leading the way. Allen had 12points and Garnett eight in the opening quarter for the Celtics,who stayed within a point despite allowing the Nets to make 10of their first 14 shots.
