Paul Pierce scored 24 points in his second game of the season as the Boston Celtics won their fourth straight, a 89-70 triumph over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night.

Pierce was sidelined with a bruised right heel to open the campaign but looked sharp in shooting 8 of 14 from the floor. He added six rebounds and five assists while keying a second-half surge.

Brandon Bass had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo dished out 12 assists as the Celtics moved above .500 for the first time this season despite playing without guard Ray Allen (illness).

Rookie MarShon Brooks scored 17 points in his first career start for New Jersey, which has dropped six in a row. Jordan Farmar chipped in 11 points off the bench.

The Nets trailed 45-44 early in the third quarter before the Celtics took over. Boston closed out the frame on an 18-3 run, with Pierce accounting for nine points, to take a 63-47 lead into the fourth.

New Jersey missed 16 of 20 3-pointers in losing for the eighth time in nine meetings in Boston.