Marcin Gortat had a career-high 19 points to go with 17 rebounds and Vince Carter scored 17 points to help the Phoenix Suns defeat the visiting Boston Celtics 88-71 on Friday.

The Suns (21-24) played one of their best defensive games of the season while snapping a three-game losing streak and handing the Celtics their worst loss of the season. The 71 points are the fewest allowed by Phoenix this season.

Kevin Garnett had 18 points and nine rebounds for Boston (35-11) before being ejected.

Phoenix was allowing 107.9 points entering the contest, the second-highest figure in the NBA. But the Suns held Boston to 34.6 percent from the field and under 20 points in three of four quarters.

Steve Nash had 13 points and 10 assists while outplaying Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo, who had seven points and six assists while committing seven turnovers. Gortat finished one rebound shy of matching his career-best output.

Paul Pierce added 14 points for Boston but made just 5 of 15 shots.

Garnett was ejected after drawing two technical fouls with 4:07 remaining. The sequence began when Garnett poked Channing Frye in the groin while Frye was shooting. The two players had to be separated and Garnett drew one technical for his reaction to the call and the second for arguing.