BOSTON - Marcin Gortat ran circles around the Boston Celtics in the first quarter, scoring 14 points (one more than Boston in the opening quarter) and finished the half with 16 points as the Phoenix Suns took a 46-35 lead at the break.
Gortat was nearly unstoppable in the first quarter, making 7-of-11 baskets and scoring 10 straight points to put Phoenix up 16-8 with 4:32 left in the quarter and the Suns took a 20-14 advantage after 12 minutes. Gortat's production slowed down in the second, but the Suns still outscored the Celtics, 26-20.
Avery Bradley, starting in place of the injured Rajon Rondo, scored six points in the half after a shaky start, in which he missed two open jumpers and mishandled a feed from Paul Pierce (six points) early in the half. Brandon Bass scored eight points off the bench, Ray Allen added seven points and Kevin Garnett had six points for Boston. Mickael Pietrus, who was waived by the Suns prior to signing with the Celtics this season, had zero points on two missed jumpers prior to halftime.
Grant Hill scored seven points and Steve Nash totaled four points and five assists.
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