CELTICS 107, 76ERS 91: Kevin Garnett had 27 points and 13 rebounds and Paul Pierce rebounded from a poor outing with 24 points and 12 boards as visiting Boston took a 2-1 lead in its Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Rajon Rondo had 23 points and 14 assists and the Celtics led by as many as 27 points while cruising past Philadelphia in the first double-digit margin in the Eastern Conference series.

Thaddeus Young scored 22 points and Jrue Holiday added 15 for the 76ers.

Game 4 is Friday in Philadelphia.

Pierce scored just seven points in Game 2 while battling left knee pain, but erupted for 15 second-half points in Game 3.

Boston trailed by seven points early in the second quarter before shifting control with a 14-2 run to take a five-point lead midway through the stanza.

The advantage reached 13 on a 3-pointer by Mickael Pietrus with 1:38 left in the half and Boston led 60-49 at halftime.

The onslaught continued in the third quarter as the Celtics started the half with an 11-2 run to stretch the lead to 71-51 on Rondo’s basket less than four minutes into the quarter. A three-point play by Ryan Hollins boosted the lead to 25 with 3:47 left in the period.

A basket by Pietrus with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the contest gave Boston a 105-78 lead.

Pietrus scored 13 points for Boston. Jodie Meeks and Lou Williams had 13 apiece for Philadelphia.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Each of the first two games of the series were decided by one point. … The Celtics committed just seven turnovers. … Philadelphia shot just 40.7 percent from the field despite Young making 10 of 16 shots. … Garnett was 12 of 17 from the field while posting his fourth consecutive double-double.