NBA: Kevin Garnett carries Boston Celtics to win over Toronto Raptors

Kevin Garnett powered the Boston Celtics to a 110-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday and held their slim lead atop the NBA's Eastern Conference.      

Garnett had a season high 26 points and added 11 rebounds to give the Celtics their third straight win since dropping a game to the Raptors last week. 

The Celtics, who never trailed in the game, scored on their first seven possessions and opened a 19-5 lead. Toronto battled back to within a point during the second quarter but Boston pulled away in the third quarter.                                           

Rajon Rondo, back in the lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury, had four points and 14 assists as the Celtics (12-4) maintained a half-game lead over the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference.

The loss is the Raptors' (6-10) first in five games.