NEWARK, New Jersey (AFP) – The New Jersey Nets stretched their NBA winning streak to five games with an 88-79 victory over Boston that dropped the Celtics into a tie for best record in the Eastern Conference.

Brook Lopez on Monday scored 20 points and Deron Williams added 16 as the Nets beat Boston at home for the first time since April 16, 2006.

Kris Humphries had 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Nets, who have won five in a row overall for the first time since a stretch spanning December and January in the 2007-08 season.

Ray Allen scored 19 points and Kevin Garnett had 18 for Boston, but the Celtics couldn't overcome a dismal shooting night for All-Stars Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo.

Pierce connected on two of his 10 shots and finished with a total of seven points, and Rondo shot one-of-10 and scored two points.

Rondo, who fell hard in the first half and briefly left the game in the third quarter, missed his first seven shots.

The Celtics lost for the third time in their past four games and fell to 47-18, now tied with the Chicago Bulls for best record in the East.