Rajon Rondo scores 19, Celtics beat Nets 93-76 in Christmas opener

Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) and Brooklyn Nets forward-center Andray Blatche (0) battle for the ball in the first half of their NBA basketball game at the Barclays Center, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (34) shoots over Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans (30) in the first half of their NBA basketball game at the Barclays Center, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (The Associated Press)

NEW YORK – Rajon Rondo scored 19 points in his first full game against Brooklyn this season, and the Boston Celtics beat the Nets 93-76 on Tuesday in another game with some heated moments between the division rivals.

Rondo, hurt in the first meeting and thrown out of the second after shoving Nets forward Kris Humphries into the courtside seats, outplayed counterpart Deron Williams and helped the Celtics take control early.

Rookie Jared Sullinger tied a season high with 16 points and Jeff Green had 15 for the Celtics (14-13), who avoided falling under .500 with just their second victory in six games.

Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez each scored 15 for the Nets, who have lost four of five.