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The Boston Celtics maintained their perfect start to the season by trouncing the Philadelphia 76ers 105-74 on the back of a dominant defensive display and sharp three-point shooting.

Paul Pierce had 21 points and eight rebounds, while key reserve Rasheed Wallace made six three-pointers in his 20-point effort as the Celtics outscored the home team 61-38 in the second half to improve to 5-0.

The Celtics' miserly defense, which has not conceded more than 90 points this year, held the 76ers to just 36 percent in shooting from the field.

"It starts with defense for us," Boston center Kendrick Perkins said. "We know we're going to get our points. In the Eastern Conference, it's about getting stops."

Andre Iguodala shot 17 points for Philadelphia, who dropped to 2-2 on the season.

The Celtics raced to a 58-38 lead in the third quarter and kept the 76ers at bay, making 57 per cent of their shots from the field, including 14-for-20 from the three-point line.

Eddie House made four three-pointers off the bench for 12 points, while Wallace, the seven-footer signed by the Celtics in the offseason, was dominant from the perimeter.

Point guard Rajon Rondo finished with 11 points and five assists in his first game since signing a five-year extension with Boston on Monday.

Philadelphia point guard Lou Williams, who has taken over the starting spot after Andre Miller's departure to the Portland Trail Blazers, entered the night averaging 20 points and shooting 63 per cent but managed just seven on 3-for-10 shooting.

"We need to keep improving in all facets," Williams said. "We'll keep working at it."

Full NBA results (home team in CAPS)

CLEVELAND 102-90 Washington; Denver 111-93 INDIANA; Boston 105-74 PHILADELPHIA; DETROIT 85-80 Orlando; Phoenix 104-96 MIAMI; CHICAGO 83-81 Milwaukee; LA Lakers 101-98 OKLAHOMA CITY ;(OT); DALLAS 96-85 Utah; Atlanta 97-91 PORTLAND.

Reuters