Paul Pierce continued his hot shooting in the third quarter. Pierce scored seven of Boston's first 13 points as the Celtics began the second half with a 13-6 surge.

Pierce had 11 points in the quarter and leads all scorers with 25 points. He was on the receiving end on one of the biggest ovations of the game when he found Rajon Rondo cutting to the basket and Rondo capped off the play with a one-handed jam that brought the crowd to its collective feet with about four minutes left in the quarter.

The dunk gave the Celtics a 64-59 lead. The Celtics will take a 73-71 lead into the fourth quarter. Kevin Garnett has 12 points and Rondo has 8 points and 3 assists.

Brook Lopez (17 points, 5 rebounds), Josh Boone (11 points, 7 rebounds) and Ji Jianlian (14 points) have kept the Nets in the game.

The Celtics start the fourth quarter with Rasheed Wallace, Lester Hudson, Glen Davis, Eddie House and Marquis Daniels on the floor.