In perhaps the most stunning result of the NBA season, the slumping Celtics suffered an inexplicable 104-96 home loss to the league-worst New Jersey Nets on Saturday night.

Brook Lopez scored 25 points and Devin Harris added 23 for the Nets (6-52), who are one loss away from mathematical elimination from the playoffs and threatening the worst record in NBA history. They snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Celtics.

"They kicked our (butts) tonight, period, point blank," said Boston forward Kevin Garnett, who scored 26 points.

"Players have to do more, including myself. We all have to dig deep and see what we're made of as a team."

The Celtics (36-21) were coming off Thursday's 20-point home loss to Cleveland that included a complete collapse in the second half.

This loss dropped Boston to just 16-11 at home.

"Right now, (teams) are coming in thinking they can win at the Garden, and last year it was totally opposite," said guard Rajon Rondo, who had 13 points and 17 assists.

The Nets came in with a 2-27 road mark and having lost 12 of their last 13 games. They fell behind by 10 points in the first 3 1/2 minutes but had the lead by the end of the first quarter and never trailed again.

"I think sometimes we don't respect guys like we should," said Boston center Kendrick Perkins, who scored just two points.

The Nets were much more aggressive, attacking the basket and shooting 41 free throws. Lopez attempted 14 and Harris and Kris Humphries shot 10 each while the Celtics shot just 11 as a team.

"A lot of the season we've been settling for jump shots at very inopportune times," Lopez said. "Tonight we were very assertive in trying to get to the basket and get the best possible shot we could."

New Jersey led 49-42 at halftime and 74-64 after three quarters.

Keyon Dooling's three-pointer made it 94-76 with 5:16 to play before Boston put together a frantic rally.

A three-pointer by Ray Allen cut the deficit to 98-92 with 2:09 left. But he missed a three-pointer on the next possession, and Humphries had a layup with 1:28 remaining to seal it.

"At some points in the game they had more energy than us and it looked like they just wanted it more than we did," said Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace, who scored nine points.

Courtney Lee scored 21 points and Humphries and Dooling added 11 apiece off the bench for the Nets, who scored 25 points off 18 turnovers by the Celtics.

Marquis Daniels scored 16 points for the Celtics, who again were without injured All-Star forward Paul Pierce and made just 3-of-19 three-pointers.

"I feel disgusted," Garnett said.

Deron Williams scored 20 of his 35 points in the first quarter and added 13 assists as the host Jazz shot a league season-high 67.5 percent (52-of-77) from the field. Kevin Martin scored 32 points for the Rockets, who have lost four of five.

France's Nicolas Batum had a career-high 31 points and seven assists for the Trail Blazers, who beat the host Timberwolves for the 12th straight time. Minnesota has lost nine of 10.

John Salmons scored 18 points as the visiting Bucks won their sixth straight game. Playing again without injured superstar Dwyane Wade, the Heat dropped their third straight game.

Zach Randolph had 31 points and 25 rebounds and Spain's Marc Gasol added 25 and 13 as the Grizzlies notched their fourth straight road win. Tracy McGrady sat out the second half with a sore left knee for the Knicks, who lost for the ninth time in 10 games.

Danny Granger scored 30 points for the host Pacers, who snapped a three-game slide. Bulls All-Star guard Derrick Rose scored 27 points but left in the fourth quarter with a knee bruise.

Rookie Stephen Curry covered for the injured Monta Ellis with 27 points as the host Warriors ended a five-game skid against the Pistons.