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NEW JERSEY AT BOSTON, POSTPONED (WET FLOOR)

Oct 20, 2007 - 1:37 AM By Mike Petraglia By PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

WORCESTER, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- An Atlantic Division showdown of teams featuring star-studded trios will have to wait.

The preseason game between the New Jersey Nets and Boston Celtics was called at halftime as condensation made the court too slippery and unplayable. The Celtics remained and signed autographs for the near-capacity crowd at the DCU Center.

Before the game was cancelled by the NBA, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett all contributed during a 17-point, first-quarter surge as the Boston Celtics led, 36-33, before the game was called. Allen led the Celtics with seven while Garnett added six.

With temperatures soaring to 72 degrees outside, the game was delayed several times in the first half as workers mopped condensation off the court, which was on top of a hockey surface.

For the fourth straight game, the Celtics started their new "Big Three" before a near-capacity crowd at the DCU Center. All three along with guard Rajon Rondo and center Kendrick Perkins played the entire first quarter before resting for the rest of the first half.

Not wanting to show their strategy for defending Boston's new-look lineup, the Nets did not travel any of their star players, as Vince Carter, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson all stayed home.

Bostjan Nachbar, who led all scorers with 10 points, connected on a layup and free throw to complete a three-point play and put New Jersey up, 6-2. The layup would be the only field goal for the Nets in the opening quarter as the visitors made just one of 15 shots from the floor.

Following Nachbar's three-point play, Rondo converted a layup that began a 17-0 run for Boston. Allen had all seven of his first-quarter points during the surge, including back-to-back 3-point jumpers. Boston raced out to a 21-8 lead after one before New Jersey answered, outscoring the Celtics, 25-15, in the second to trail 36-33 at the break.

The two teams meet again Tuesday night in the Meadowlands at Continental Airlines Arena.