Paul Pierce scored 38 points and Ray Allen tallied 32 as the Boston Celtics took a 3-0 series lead with 113-96 pasting of the host New York Knicks on Friday.

Allen made eight 3-points baskets and Pierce hit six for third-seeded Boston, which was 14-of-24 from 3-point range and can sweep the first-round series with a victory in Sunday’s Game 4.

Boston’s Rajon Rondo posted a triple-double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and a franchise playoff-record 20 assists.

Shawne Williams scored 17 points, Carmelo Anthony had 15 points and 11 rebounds and Toney Douglas scored 15 points for sixth-seeded New York, which was playing its first home playoff game in nearly seven years.

Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire played 33 minutes despite a back injury but was highly ineffective, scoring just seven points on 2-of-8 shooting.

New York was without starting point guard Chauncey Billups (knee) for the second consecutive contest.

Pierce was 14-of-19 from the field and Allen made 11-of-18 shots (including 8 of 11 from beyond the arc).

The Celtics never trailed after scoring the first nine points and leading 22-5 less than eight minutes in. Boston’s halftime margin was 52-44.

Allen (10) and Pierce (eight) combined for 18 third-quarter points as the Celtics re-established control by outscoring New York 34-19. Allen capped a 24-9 run with a 3-pointer to give Boston an 82-59 cushion with 2:10 left in the quarter.