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Garnett returns when Celtics host Pistons

Nov 20, 2008 - 11:21 AM Detroit (8-3) at Boston (10-2) 8:00 p.m. EST

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Celtics had no trouble winning without Kevin Garnett.

The Celtics go for their third straight win on Thursday when Garnett returns to the lineup against the Detroit Pistons.

Paul Pierce scored 22 points while Kendrick Perkins added 16 and eight rebounds as Boston claimed a 110-101 victory against the New York Knicks at TD Banknorth Garden on Tuesday.

The Celtics were forced to play without their emotional leader, Garnett, who was suspended for one game for retaliating against Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut on Saturday.

Bogut appeared to accidentally hit Garnett in the face as his arms flailed after getting fouled hard in the fourth quarter of Boston's 102-97 victory.

Garnett retaliated by swiping Bogut in the face, but Bogut, who already had picked up an earlier technical foul, was slapped with a second one and ejected.

The 32-year-old Garnett is averaging 16.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game and will be needed against the Pistons, who snapped the Cleveland Cavaliers' eight-game win streak with a 96-89 victory on Wednesday.

Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace teamed up for 33 second-half points, helping Detroit avoid back-to-back losses. Iverson poured in 23 points while Wallace, who will likely be defended by Garnett, finished with 21 and 15 rebounds.