Celtics fast out of the blocks, chop Timberwolves

Pierce established a season high for points at home, and it was his most productive offensive performance since a 33-point game Nov. 22 in a 107-105 overtime win in New York.

“I wanted to be more aggressive than I have in the past few games,’’ Pierce said, “but do it within the concept of what we’re doing as a team.’’

The Celtics led, 34-19, after the first quarter, and 66-41 at halftime, season-high point totals for a first quarter and first half.

The Celtics led by as many as 26 points, Pierce’s foul shot making it 86-60 with 5:13 remaining in the third. Before the end of the quarter, Kendrick Perkins (14 points, 11 rebounds) had compiled his third double-double in six games. But there were signs of a letdown as Minnesota’s Jonny Flynn scored 14 of his 21 points in the quarter, preventing the Celtics from extending their advantage.

In the final quarter, though, the Celtics (21-5), who host Indiana tomorrow, allowed the Timberwolves (5-23) to pull within 12, causing the starters to return with seven-plus minutes remaining.

After a Flynn drive cut the deficit to 106-94 with 5:14 left, the Celtics reestablished their defensive intensity. The Timberwolves would convert only once more from the field (a Ryan Hollins follow with 3:01 to go). And 3-pointers on consecutive possessions by Pierce and Ray Allen (20 points) allowed the Celtic starters to sit back down for the final 2:33.

“When games get out of reach you seem to let your guard down,’’ Perkins said. “I think we’ve got a bad habit of doing that, like the game’s over. And Minnesota is going to keep fighting. They made some big plays, they were out running. Just minor things for us; when you’ve got a team down you’ve got to keep them down.’’