Pacers' moves pay quick dividends

Danny Granger scored 20 points, and the host Indiana Pacers beat the defending champion Boston Celtics 95-79 on Saturday night.

Pacers president Larry Bird brought in seven new players in the offseason to improve the team's talent level and overhaul its image after numerous off-the-court incidents the past several years, and the payoff was immediate.

New starting point guard T.J. Ford, the key acquisition in the trade that sent Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto, had 19 points and four assists. Backup point guard Jarrett Jack, picked up in a trade with Portland, added 11 points and seven rebounds.

Kevin Garnett led Boston with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Paul Pierce scored 15 points, but shot 3-for-15 from the field. Ray Allen finished with 10 points on 4-for-10 shooting.

The Celtics (2-1) started last season 12-0, but won't duplicate that early success because of poor fundamentals. Boson had 24 turnovers and shot 21-for-35 from the free-throw line Saturday.

Indiana (1-1) led 69-58 at the end of the third quarter, then took control in the fourth.

ALSO SATURDAY

PISTONS 117, WIZARDS 109: Richard Hamilton scored 24 points and Rasheed Wallace added 17 points and 11 rebounds to send host Detroit past Washington.

HAWKS 95, 76ERS 88: Joe Johnson scored 35 points as host Atlanta rallied from a 23-point deficit to stun Philadelphia.

The Hawks improved to 2-0 in their home opener, the team's best start in a decade.

MAGIC 121, KINGS 103: Dwight Howard had 29 points and 14 rebounds, and host Orlando beat Sacramento for its first victory of the season.

RAPTORS 91, BUCKS 87: Jose Calderon scored a career-high 25 points as Toronto won its third straight with a victory over host Milwaukee.

ROCKETS 89, THUNDER 77: Tracy McGrady had 22 points, Yao Ming added 16 and host Houston beat Oklahoma City for its third straight win.

MAVERICKS 95, TIMBERWOLVES 85: Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points, Jason Terry added 19, and visiting Dallas picked up its first victory of the season.

WARRIORS 105, NETS 97: Andris Biedrins had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Stephen Jackson scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half for visiting Golden State.

HORNETS 104, CAVALIERS 92: Chris Paul had 24 points and 15 assists, and host New Orleans improved to 3-0 with a win over Cleveland. David West added 25 points for New Orleans.

BULLS 96, GRIZZLIES 86: Rookie Derrick Rose had his best game, scoring 26 points, and Kirk Hinrich added 18 to lead host Chicago over Memphis.

LATE FRIDAY

NUGGETS 113, CLIPPERS 103 (OT): Allen Iverson scored nine of his 25 points in the final 3:35 of overtime and Denver overcame an 18-point halftime deficit to beat host Los Angeles.

GRIZZLIES 86, MAGIC 84: Rudy Gay hit an 18-foot jumper as time expired to give host Memphis the win.

TRAIL BLAZERS 100, SPURS 99: Michael Finley's shot at the buzzer for San Antonio rimmed out and host Portland San Antonio.