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Celtics handed first loss of season by torrid Suns

Jim Fenton
Boston Celtics center Rasheed Wallace takes off his headband after missing a shot during the second half of Boston's 110-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns in an NBA basketball game in Boston, Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

They managed to survive one subpar outing earlier this week against the Minnesota Timberwolves to remain undefeated.

The Boston Celtics, however, were not able to turn that trick a second time when they struggled against a higher-caliber team on Friday night.

Their six-game winning streak to open the season came to an end with a 110-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns at the TD Garden as the Celtics’ defense let them down.

After limiting teams to 90 points or less in the first six games, the Celtics had their problems holding down the Suns, particularly Jason Richardson (34 points, 6-for-7 from 3-point range).

They fell behind for good with 1:15 remaining in the first quarter and spent the rest of the night playing catch up against a team that has won five of its first six games.

The Suns made 50 percent of their shots _ two nights after the Timberwolves hit 52 percent _ and went 13-for-24 from 3-point range against a team that had been allowing 81.5 points on 41 percent shooting in the six wins.

“They really put you in a (tough) position when they have four 3-point shooters out there,’’ said Paul Pierce, who had 16 points, six assists and four rebounds. “They spread the court and run a lot of pick-and-rolls and force the rotation.

“When they skipped the ball, we just were a step slow, I thought, all night to the 3-point shooters. Instead of running them off the line, we stopped short and allowed them to shoot the three.’’

The Celtics were led by Kevin Garnett (26 points, eight rebounds, four assists) while Ray Allen (16 points on 7-for-11 shooting), Pierce, Rajon Rondo (14 points, 11 assists, three steals) and Kendrick Perkins (12 points, seven rebounds).

Boston hit 52 percent of its shots, but the Celtics were 4-for-18 from 3-point range and couldn’t come up with the key basket down the stretch to complete a comeback bid.

Trailing by as many as 11 points (96-85) 4:03 into the fourth quarter, the Celtics got within 104-100 with 2:29 left on a Garnett reverse layup.

They had a chance to get closer on the next possession, but a Rondo shot inside was blocked by Amar’e Stoudemire. The Celtics got the ball back after a stop, but a 3-pointer by Rasheed Wallace (0-for-6 from long range) went in and out with 1:08 remaining, preventing Boston from getting within a point.

Steve Nash (16 points, 12 assists) then made a 3-pointer to open a seven-point advantage in the final minute.

Time and again, whenever the Celtics’ usual stingy defense needed to hold the Suns, they were unable to make it happen as Richardson (scoreless in Orlando on Wednesday), Stoudemire (22) and Nash found ways to beat them.

“A step slow with the defense,’’ said Pierce. “Steve really controlled the pick-and-roll and when we got it out of his hands, he found the open guys.

“I thought we really got good shots. It’s a long season and I think through the course we’ll make more than we miss. At the end of the night, we hang our hat on defense and we see teams shoot 54 percent from the three, 50 percent from the field, that’s what you kind of point your finger at..’’

Richardson had 11 of his points in the third quarter when the Suns led by as many as eight, but the Celtics held Phoenix to just four points in the final 4:20.

That allowed the Celtics to climb within 85-83 going into the fourth quarter as Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer and Wallace added a 13-footer in the final 2:13 to close the deficit.

The Celtics trailed by as many as 11 points in the second quarter before getting the Suns lead down to six, 57-51, by halftime.

The Suns made 7 of 10 shots from 3-point range in the opening half with Richardson hitting all three of his attempts and Steve Nash and Boston College product Jared Dudley (10 points) adding two each.

The Celtics were down, 48-37, with 4:25 to go in the half, then scored eight straight points ( baskets by Garnett, Pierce, Perkins and Rondo) to close within three.

The half ended with a brief altercation under the Celtics basket involving Perkins and Channing Frye as they got tangled up going for a rebound.

The Suns made 61 percent of their first-quarter shots to take a 29-27 lead after the opening 12 minutes. Richardson had 14 of the Phoenix points while the Celtics got 10 points from Garnett.