BOSTON, Nov. 28 - Ray Allen scored 23 points Friday and Boston blew the game open in the second quarter en route to a 102-78 decision over Philadelphia.

The Celtics won their seventh straight and improved the best record in the Eastern Conference to 15-2.

Boston expanded a six-point lead after one period into an 18-point cushion at halftime. The Celtics held the 76ers scoreless for almost the first 4 minutes of the second quarter.

Kevin Garnett added 15 points and the Boston bench received most of the second-half playing time. Leon Powe, Tony Allen and Glen Davis all scored 10 for the Celtics.

Philadelphia was led by Elton Brand with 18. The 76ers showed little fight until Marreese Speights committed a hard foul in the final minute that led to his ejection from the contest. (UPI)