Paul Pierce collected 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds and the short-handed Boston Celtics used a dominating defensive effort to crush the visiting Orlando Magic, 87-56, on Monday.

Brandon Bass added 19 points and eight rebounds and Kevin Garnett chipped in 14 and 10 to go along with five steals for the Celtics, who have won back-to-back games.

Boston held the Magic to four field goals and 15 percent shooting in the second half. Orlando managed 24.6 percent (16 of 65) from the floor overall - its lowest mark ever against the Celtics. Only Dwight Howard, with 18 points on 4-of-15 shooting, reached double figures for the Magic.

Orlando’s 56 points marked a franchise low.

The Celtics were without Rajon Rondo for the third straight game due to a wrist injury while Ray Allen (ankle) and Mickael Pietrus (shoulder) sat after suffering injuries in Sunday’s win over the Washington Wizards.

Boston was clinging to a 34-33 lead with 3:00 left in the second quarter when it began to pull away, closing the half with a 12-3 burst to take a 46-36 lead into the break.

Orlando had nothing in the second half, looking sloppy with 23 turnovers and no rhythm offensively.