EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey,  (Reuters) – The Boston  Celtics bounced back from their first loss of the season to  record an 86-76 victory over the winless New Jersey Nets on  Saturday.

Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo each scored 16 points as the  Celtics broke open a close game by outscoring the Nets (0-7)  27-15 in the fourth quarter.

“I thought we were just standing around a lot,” Celtics  coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “It’s funny the best movement  we had all game was the last five minutes of the game.”

The Celtics (7-1) had won six consecutive games to start  the season before losing on Friday to the Phoenix Suns.

Brook Lopez scored 23 points and Rafer Alston 20 to keep  short-handed New Jersey in the game.
Boston, who had a poor night shooting, trailed 61-59 after  three quarters — which Pierce attributed to fatigue — before  they outscored New Jersey 7-3 in the opening minutes of the  fourth.

“I think maybe it’s starting to show,” the Boston forward  said. “We knew this was going to be a tough stretch, eight  games in 12 days, but we were able to get through it 6-1, so  we’re happy with that.”

New Jersey, because of injuries and illness, used only  eight players.
“With so many guys out, lots of guys are having to play in  different spots and positions, so sometimes you don’t know  where to move because you’re not used to playing that  position,” Alston said.
The Nets committed 23 turnovers and the Celtics made 20  steals, five by Rondo, in defeating New Jersey for the 10th  consecutive time.

“I’ve never seen a team have 20 steals,” said Nets coach  Lawrence Frank, who praised the resolve of his team despite its  shortcomings. “Our guys are battling … and we will break through, we’re not discouraged.”