Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett reacts after dunking the ball against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter of their NBA basketball game in Boston, Massachusetts March 2, 2011. REUTERS

BOSTON, March 2 - The Boston Celtics continued their strong form since trading away center Kendrick Perkins last week, recording a 115-103 triumph over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

Kevin Garnett scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Eastern-Conference leading Celtics cruised to victory after opening up a 20-point advantage before halftime.

Despite sending Perkins to Oklahoma City after he helped them win the 2008 NBA title and reach last year's finals, the Celtics (44-15) have won three of four games since the deal to dampen fears that the team will regress.

Phoenix (31-28), pushing to move into a playoff position, had their four-game winning streak snapped and fell 1.5 games behind the eighth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference.