Ray Allen scored 28 points and Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett had 17 apiece as the host Boston Celtics defeated the Denver Nuggets, 105-89, on Wednesday for their eighth straight victory.

Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony did not play due to a sore knee.

Rajon Rondo, who is battling plantar fasciitis and a hamstring injury, had 13 assists in 30 minutes for the Celtics (17-4), who have the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Reserve Ty Lawson scored 24 points and J.R. Smith added 16 off the bench as the Nuggets’ reserves outscored the starters, 47-42. Starting guard Chauncey Billups had five points on 2-for-10 shooting.

The Celtics made 13 of their first 19 shots and led by as many as 19 points before they settled for a 35-21 lead after one quarter. The Nuggets (13-8) cut the deficit to 51-50 before Allen scored six points in the final three minutes of the first half to help the Celtics to a 59-52 lead at the break.

Allen scored 18 points in the first half and finished 9-of-14 from the floor. Garnett made 8-of-9 shots.

The Nuggets got as close as 65-61 in the third quarter.

Nuggets coach George Karl was denied his 1,000th career victory for the second straight night.