Boston's defense shuts down Portland in 96-76 win

PORTLAND (FOX25, myfoxboston) - Ray Allen scored 21 points, including eight straight early in the fourth quarter to stymie a run by Portland, and the Boston Celtics beat the Trail Blazers 96-76 on Friday night.

Kevin Garnett scored 13 of his 16 points in the first half, helping the Celtics on the second night of a difficult West Coast two-step. After holding off the Lakers 87-86 Thursday night in Los Angeles, the Celtics easily dispatched a rested Portland team and handed the Blazers their worst loss of the season.

Garnett and his frontcourt mates dominated the interior in the first half, as Boston built an 18-point halftime lead. When Portland made its charge in the fourth quarter, Allen knocked down a pair of key 3s to keep the lead in double figures.