HOUSTON — The Boston Celtics have defeated Houston 94-74, snapping the Rockets' 22-game winning streak.

Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and Paul Pierce added 20 today as the Celtics handed the Rockets their first loss since Jan. 27.

The Rockets hadn't lost since a 97-89 defeat to Utah on Jan. 27. Houston had put together the NBA's second-longest winning streak, but it ended 11 shy of the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, who won 33 in a row.

Boston won for the 13th time in 14 games and did it without Ray Allen, who sat out for the third straight game with a sore left ankle.