(REUTERS) – Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett scored a game-high 28 points in his rematch with Phoenix Sun’s Channing Frye as the Celtics eased to a 115-103 victory over the Suns last Wednesday night. In his previous matchup against the Suns on January 28, Garnett was ejected with two technical fouls after he hit Frye in the groin area leading to a confrontation between the two.
This time around, Garnett was back to his best, adding 11 rebounds as the Eastern-Conference leading Celtics cruised to victory after opening up a 20-point advantage before halftime.
The Celtics were also helped by Rajon Rondo recording 16 points and 15 assists and Paul Pierce scoring 16 and 13 rebounds.
“I think all our guys were (extra motivated). That’s what the explosion early was all about,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
Boston led by as many as 29 points over the Suns in the third before the visitors fought back to trail by as little as eight.
The victory maintained Boston’s strong form since they traded away centre Kendrick Perkins last week to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Perkins helped the Celtics win the 2008 NBA title and reach last year’s finals and fans have been worried the team would regress but this victory was Boston’s (44-15) third in four games since the trade and the Celtics now lead the East by 1.5 games over the Miami Heat.
Forward Troy Murphy made his debut for Boston after being picked up off waivers but scored only one point in 14 minutes of play.
Phoenix (31-28), pushing to move into a playoff position, had their four-game winning streak snapped and fell 1.5 games behind the eighth and final post-season spot in the Western Conference.
Guard Aaron Brooks led Phoenix with 17 points and seven assists in his third game since the team acquired him in a trade with Houston. Steve Nash finished with eight points and seven assists.