The reunited Big Three -- and Rasheed -- are one up on the Big Two.
Paul Pierce scored 23 points, Ray Allen 16 and Kevin Garnett 13 in his first regular-season game since last March as the Boston Celtics beat Cleveland 95-89 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener, spoiling the hyped debut of the Cavaliers with LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.
Pierce made two crucial jumpers and two free throws in the final 1:03 to pace the Celtics, whose drive to a second straight title was derailed when Garnett injured his knee late last season. Rasheed Wallace, added as a free agent during the offseason, had 12 points.
James scored 38 and O'Neal added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who won their first 23 home games last season but are already 0-1 on their floor. Boston's road win also snapped a 16-game winning streak at home in games between the Celtics and Cavaliers.
Also Tuesday
Wizards 102, Mavericks 91: Gilbert Arenas had 29 points and nine assists, helping stake visiting Washington to an early lead over revamped Dallas and keeping the Wizards ahead throughout the final three quarters.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 points, but was only 10 of 25 for the Mavericks.
Notes
Griffin disappointed: The NBA's No. 1 overall draft pick will be out for up to six weeks with a stress fracture in his left kneecap, likely delaying his debut until December.
"It's disappointing, especially when it happened, but I'm not going to feel sorry for myself," Blake Griffin said Tuesday.
Less than 24 hours before the Clippers' season opener against the Lakers on Tuesday night, Griffin learned he will be watching in street clothes. The former Oklahoma star won't be allowed back into practice until the fracture has healed in several weeks.
Bobcats' Bell postpones surgery: Charlotte Bobcats starting shooting guard Raja Bell is leaning toward putting off surgery and trying to play this season with a torn ligament in his left wrist.
Bell said Tuesday he will sit out the first week of the season. But if he makes progress, he will try to play. Surgery would sideline him up to four months.
Celtics' Davis has thumb surgery: Boston Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis had surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken right thumb after fighting with a childhood friend while riding in an SUV less than two days before the season opener.
A police report identified Davis as the victim and said his friend, Shawn Bridgewater, appeared to be intoxicated.
Davis is expected to miss at least six weeks, though the Celtics said he also could be suspended for his behavior.
