Paul Pierce scored 20 of his 22 points in the third quarter as the Boston Celtics rolled to a 118-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls Friday in the teams' first matchup since last spring's thrilling seven-game playoff series. Ray Allen had 20 points for Boston and Kevin Garnett, who missed the final 25 games of the regular season and the playoffs with strained ligaments in his right knee, added 16. Rajon Rondo had 16 assists and eight rebounds as the Celtics improved to 3-0. John Salmons led the Bulls (1-1) with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jannero Pargo had 13 points, and Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah 10 apiece. Cavaliers 104, Timberwolves 87: At Minneapolis, LeBron James scored 24 points and had nine rebounds and six assists for Cleveland to avoid his first 0-3 start in five years. Mo Williams added 20 points, Zydrunas Ilgauskus had 11 of his 15 points in the first half and Daniel Gibson drained three 3-pointers during a 3-minute stretch of the fourth quarter. Mavericks 94, Lakers 80: At Los Angeles, Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points as Dallas shot 25 of 32 from the free throw line to trounce Los Angeles for its first win of the season. Nowitzki made 10 of 11 from the line and grabbed 10 rebounds, Shawn Marion added 18 points and Jason Terry 16 to end the Mavs' six-game losing streak against the defending NBA champions. Erick Dampier had 10 rebounds and Jason Kidd had 11 assists. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 20 points and Andrew Bynum had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Thunder 91, Pistons 83: At Auburn Hills, Michigan, Kevin Durant scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as Oklahoma City downed Detroit. Ben Gordon had 25 points in his home debut for Detroit after scoring 22 in their season-opening win at Memphis. Heat 96, Pacers 83: At Indianapolis, Jermaine O'Neal had 22 points and 12 rebounds against his former team as Miami beat Indiana. The Pacers traded O'Neal before the 2008-09 season as they focused on rebuilding with younger players. Dwyane Wade scored 32 points for the Heat. Danny Granger led the Pacers with 22 points. Magic 95, Nets 85: At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Vince Carter returned to New Jersey and scored 16 points before leaving the game against his former teammates in the second quarter with a sprained left ankle. All-Star center Dwight Howard had 20 points, 22 rebounds and four blocks for the Magic. Hawks 100, Wizards 89: At Atlanta, Josh Smith scored 20 points and reached a blocked shots milestone as Atlanta held off Gilbert Arenas and Washington. Arenas had 23 points and Brendan Haywood added 19 for Washington. The 23-year-old Smith rejected a shot by Arenas in the fourth quarter to become the youngest player in NBA history to block 900 shots. Shaquille O'Neal was 24 years old when he reached 900. Bobcats 102, Knicks 100, 2OT: At Charlotte, North Carolina, D.J. Augustin made two free throws with 2.5 seconds left in the second overtime as Charlotte recovered from blowing an 18-point, fourth-quarter lead. Other results: Grizzlies 115, Raptors 107; Hornets 97, Kings 92; Jazz 111, Clippers 98; Suns 123, Warriors 101; 76ers 99, Bucks 86.
