NBA roundup: Celtics blow out Bulls

BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 20 of his 22 points in the third quarter, and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 118-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night 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, added 16. Rajon Rondo had 16 assists and eight rebounds as the Celtics improved to 3-0.

Eddie House came off the Boston bench and was shooting freely in garbage time, finishing with 22 points.

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, LeBronJames scored 24 points and had nine rebounds and six assists to avoid his first 0-3 start in five years. MoWilliams added 20 points, ZydrunasIlgauskus had 11 of his 15 points in the first half.

THUNDER 91, PISTONS 83: At AuburnHill, Mich., KevinDurant scored 11 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. The franchise is 2-0 for the first time since the 2003-04 season when it was in Seattle.

HEAT 96, PACERS 83: At Indianapolis, Jermaine O'Neal had 22 points and 12 rebounds against his former team. The Pacers traded O'Neal before the 2008-09 season as they focused on rebuilding with younger players.

MAGIC 95, NETS 85: At EastRutherford, N.J., VinceCarter 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.

HAWKS 100, WIZARDS 89: At Atlanta, JoshSmith scored 20 points and reached a blocked shots milestone, and Atlanta held off GilbertArenas and Washington. Arenas had 23 points.

BOBCATS 102, KNICKS 100, 2OT: At Charlotte, N.C., D.J. Augustin made two free throws with 2.5 seconds left in the second overtime and Charlotte recovered from blowing an 18-point, fourth-quarter lead.

GRIZZLIES 115, RAPTORS 107: At Memphis, Tenn., ZachRandolph scored 30 points to lead Memphis to its first victory of the season. MarcGasol added 19 points for Memphis.

HORNETS 97, KINGS 92: At New Orleans, ChrisPaul scored 31 points and EmekaOkafor blocked KevinMartin's tying 3-point attempt in the final seconds. Okafor finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks.

76ERS 99, BUCKS 86: At Philadelphia, AndreIguodala scored 19 points, EltonBrand had 17 and the Philadelphia 76ers bounced back from a dismal opener. SamuelDalembert had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

SUNS 123, WARRIORS 101: At Phoenix, Steve Nash scored 18 points and had the sixth 20-assist game of his career in Phoenix's rout of Golden State. All five Phoenix starters scored in double figures, led by Leandro Barbosa's 24 points.

Mavericks 94, Lakers 80: At Los Angeles, Dallas ended a six-game skid against the Lakers as Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way. Shawn Marion added 18 points. Kobe Bryant had 20 points in the loss.