Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton (left) reaches in on Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo during the second quarter of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals on Saturday night. - AP

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (AP):

Kevin Garnett led the Boston Celtics to their first win on the road in the play-offs.

He had plenty of help.

Garnett scored 22 points and was one of six players to make the Celtics' first six baskets, helping them build the first of many big leads en route to a 94-80 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night and a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

The NBA's top-seeded Celtics had lost their first six road games - tying a league record - and were 9-0 at home until losing Detroit in the previous game.

"We took care of business, getting our first win on the road," Garnett said.

The Pistons will host Game 4 tonight.

Detroit rallied to pull within 87-78 - their smallest deficit since midway through the second quarter - but couldn't get closer in a game in which they trailed by as many as 24 points.

Garnett, Ray Allen (14) and Paul Pierce (11) combined for 47 points to match the rest of the team. Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo and James Posey each scored 12 for the Celtics.

Detroit's Richard Hamilton scored 26 points and rookie reserve Rodney Stuckey added 17.

Hamstring injury

Tayshaun Prince scored four points on 2-of-11 shooting and Chauncey Billups had six points and appeared to be slowed after aggravating his right hamstring injury in Game 2.

Boston, who scored the first 11 points, led 50-32 after holding Detroit to a play-off low in the first half and getting at least two points from each of the nine Celtics who played.

"The main concentration was to come out aggressive and get the lead early," Pierce said.

The Pistons pulled within 13 early in the second half only to have their comeback hopes dashed by the Celtics' 12-0 run.