HOUSTON — Boston’s Big 3 outplayed Houston’s trio of stars Tuesday night.

Ray Allen scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds and the Celtics shut down Ron Artest and Yao Ming in a 103-99 victory over the Rockets.

Tracy McGrady scored 26 points for Houston and tried to rally the Rockets down the stretch against the defending NBA champions.

The Celtics led 101-97 when McGrady rose for a 3-pointer and was fouled by Tony Allen. McGrady landed awkwardly and grabbed his sore left knee as Boston coach Doc Rivers protested the call, claiming McGrady was trying to pass.

Referees reviewed the play as McGrady walked off the blow to his knee. He was given three foul shots and made two, cutting Boston’s lead to 101-99.

Eddie House hit two free throws at the other end with 9.6 seconds remaining. Brent Barry then shot an airball and Garnett caught it to secure the win.

Paul Pierce added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics. Yao went four for 14 from the field and scored eight points, while Artest missed 13 of 16 shots and scored 15.

Since acquiring Artest in the offseason, the Rockets have boldly talked about contending for the NBA title. The Celtics proved Houston still has a ways to go.

Yao, Artest and McGrady went a combined zero-for-eight to start the fourth quarter and the Celtics led 93-86 with 3½ minutes left. McGrady converted a three-point play, but Ray Allen hit a three-pointer at the other end. McGrady then hit a shorter shot and Ray Allen answered again.

Luis Scola scored twice to cut Boston’s lead to 98-95. Out of a timeout, Garnett swished a shot from the wing with 59.6 seconds left and McGrady missed a long jumper on Houston’s next trip down.

The Celtics ended the Rockets’ 22-game winning streak last season with a 94-74 win at the Toyota Center on March 18. Yao missed that game with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Also on Tuesday:

Suns 114

Nets 86

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Raja Bell hit all six of his three-pointers and scored 22 points, and Phoenix shot 63 percent from the field in beating New Jersey. Steve Nash added 12 points and 11 assists, Shaquille O’Neal had 18 points and six rebounds and Amare Stoudemire added 14 points as the Suns won for the third time in four games. Vince Carter had 19 points and Yi Jianlian added 15 and eight rebounds for the Nets, who lost their second straight game.

Mavericks 98

Spurs 81

SAN ANTONIO — Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points, Jason Terry added 29 in his first start of the season and Dallas beat San Antonio to send the Spurs to its first 0-3 record in 35 years. Dallas (2-2) also got 14 points from Josh Howard. The Mavericks shot 53 from the floor compared to 42 for San Antonio. Dallas outrebounded San Antonio 48-38.