BOSTON, January 23 – Ray Allen scored the go-ahead three pointer in overtime as Boston made Kevin Garnett's return a successful one by beating Portland 98-95 on Friday.Allen went just three-of-14 from the field in regulation but made the most of his overtime minutes.
Garnett returned to the lineup and finished with 13 points and four rebounds in over 30 minutes of floor time for the Celtics.
Boston won five games and lost six with Garnett out of the lineup.
"I thought I had some decent energy," Garnett said. "My timing is off a little bit as far as rebounding, but you know I’ll get that."
Paul Pierce logged 24 points before fouling out near the end of regulation, and Rajon Rondo chipped in 19 points, nine assists and six rebounds in the win.
Andre Miller ended with a game-high 28 points to go with eight assists and eight rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who had won three of four coming in.
Martell Webster and LaMarcus Aldridge each netted 19 points in defeat.
Brandon Roy sat out due to a nagging hamstring problem, and his replacement Jerryd Bayless suffered an ankle sprain in the third quarter.
