HOUSTON: Ray Allen scored 29 points to lead the reigning National Basketball Association champion Boston Celtics past Houston 103-99 here on Tuesday, handing the Rockets their first loss of the season.

Allen, who went 11-of-15 from the field, scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to thwart a last-minute comeback bid by Houston, which missed a chance for a 4-0 start for the first time since 1996.

Boston center Kendrick Perkins scored 15 points and Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who rose to 3-1.