Wearing their alternate green uniforms for the first time this season, the Celtics held the Sixers to 28 first-half points - they started the second quarter with an 11-0 run - and only 47 after a devastating third quarter in which Ray Allen scored 15 points after hitting three straight 3-pointers and 11 straight overall.

If there were any thoughts that turkey lag might catch up with them, Kevin Garnett hit three late third-quarter dunks, including two three-point plays, the last on an alley-oop dunk from Rajon Rondo that brought the house down and broke the Sixers' backs.

Allen finished with 23 points and was simply devastating with Rondo running the show, picking up eight of his 12 assists in the quarter.

"Ray has been shooting lights out of late," said teammate Paul Pierce, who had an off night with only six points. "He's been knocking the shots down. When we see an advantage on the offensive end, that's what we try to do."

Rivers has expanded Allen's game this season, calling more plays for his 2 guard, and it seems to be paying dividends. "We realize that to get Ray shots we've got to get him open," said the coach, who stressed the value of good picks.

"I was getting open," said the veteran, who scored 21 against Toronto and 25 against Golden State in the previous two games. "All the while I was very aware of where the bigs were and trying to make the right play."

Garnett adding 16 points, but the unsung hero of this effort might have been, once again, Rondo, who finished with only six points, but six rebounds and the 12 assists. He was particularly effective in searching out Allen.

"It's funny," Allen said. "When the game was over I told him, 'When you play like that, we're a beast.' He said, 'We are when you play like that.' I just told him I feed off him."

"He kept seeking, kept pushing," Rivers said of Rondo.

Elton Brand scored 18 for the Sixers before calling it an early night, but the Celtics held Andre Iguodala to only nine points. Andre Miller scored 12 with only three assists.

Perhaps the only fire the Sixers showed was a flagrant 2 foul by Maurice Speights on Brian Scalabrine as he drove to the basket with 43.4 seconds left.

Meanwhile, it seemed as if the day off worked wonders.

"The guys played with fresh legs, and they just played well," said Rivers. "I always try to keep the perspective as far as family. I don't think I ever practiced, even in Orlando (his first coaching stop). One day is not gonna break the season."

"It's a long season and it's nice to be able to celebrate holidays with the family and take time off," said Allen. "It's an atmosphere where everyone comes in and works hard."

Allen says he's gratified that his teammates came back to face the Sixers without missing a beat.

"More so than any time in my career we come in and we're rested. We didn't have practice. All of us are thankful for that. Those days are big for us.

"It starts with Doc. Most of us have families, kids, wives. Families come in (to Boston). We know Doc wants to have an opportunity to spend time with his kids. More so than any coach I've ever played for, he knows the need to be with our families. We could come in and practice and talk trash and be upset about it. We've all been there. I could come in and be griping and complaining. You get on a treadmill and you don't want to do it."

Come in refreshed, though, and you're ready to destroy the Sixers.

Around the rim

Winners of seven straight games, the Celtics will play at Charlotte Saturday night (7, CSN) . Gabe Pruitt was apparently a victim of too-much turkey syndrome, forced to sit out because he wasn't feeling good. That meant that Sam Cassell suited up for the first time this season, but he didn't play . Kendrick Perkins added seven rebounds and four blocks . Tom Heinsohn was back in action two days after the funeral of his wife, Helen . Pierce, after being asked about how other teams always consider a Celtics game the biggest of the season: "I look at it as every time we play someone it's the biggest game on our schedule." . Pierce, asked how he could top a year in which Kansas, his alma mater, won the NCAA title, he became a father, and the Celtics won the NBA championship: "Uh, Kansas wins the title, I become a dad again and we win it again. It's a possibility."

Mike Fine may be reached at mikefine@ledger.com.

Celtics 102 76ers 78

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