(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-11 18:20

NEW YORK - The red-hot Boston Celtics got 73 points from their new "Big Three" and remain the NBA's only unbeaten team after a 112-101 road victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday.

The 5-0 Celtics are off to their best start since going 6-0 in 1987-88, when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish led the way. The 2008 version of the Big Three -- Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen -- have Boston firing on all cylinders.

Pierce scored 28 points, Allen 27 and Garnett added 18 points and 14 rebounds to take care of the Nets.

The win came just hours after their coach Doc Rivers attended his father's funeral. He returned in time to run the game.

"It says a lot about us," Pierce told reporters.

"We didn't know if Doc was going to be here. We've got two rotation players out (injured) and we responded.

"We are learning more about ourselves each and every day."

Richard Jefferson led the Nets (4-2) with 28 points while Jason Kidd had 17 points, 12 assists and six rebounds and Vince Carter 17 points. Carter left in the third quarter with a sprained ankle.

"I'll see how it feels tomorrow and we'll go from there," said Carter. "I don't want to put a timetable on it."

*The Phoenix Suns got a career-high 39 points from Leandro Barbosa to record a 106-96 road win over the Orlando Magic.

*The Portland Trail Blazers got their third win in a row and ended an 11-game losing streak against Dallas with a 91-82 home victory over the Mavericks.

*The Utah Jazz scored a 118-94 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies with Carlos Boozer scoring 31 points. Andrei Kirilenko just missed a triple double with 15 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.