NBA roundup: Celtics bounce back vs. Nets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce each scored 16 points, and the Boston Celtics bounced back from their first loss of the season to beat the winless New Jersey Nets 86-76 on Saturday night

Ray Allen came alive after three dismal quarters to score eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics (7-1), who lost 110-103 to Phoenix on Friday night, allowing 20 more points than in any previous game.

Their defense was back Saturday — and it needed to be, because the Celtics couldn't shoot for most of the night. Boston finished with 20 steals, five by Rondo, scoring 19 points off New Jersey's 24 turnovers.

Kevin Garnett shot 3 of 13 but added nine points and 13 rebounds to help the Celtics beat the Nets for the 10th straight time.

Brook Lopez scored 23 points for the Nets (0-7).

HAWKS 125, NUGGETS 100: At Atlanta, Jamal Crawford scored 25 points, and Josh Smith had 22 points, nine rebounds, six blocked shots and seven assists for Atlanta. Joe Johnson added 21 points, and Marvin Williams had 14. Carmelo Anthony had 30 points for Denver, and Chauncey Billups added 25. The Nuggets have lost two straight after opening 5-0.

MAVS 129, RAPTORS 101: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki had 29 points and nine rebounds, and Josh Howard scored 16 in his season debut for Dallas following ankle and wrist injures. Jason Terry added 19 points, and Shawn Marion had 18 points and eight rebounds for Dallas. Dallas native Chris Bosh had 26 points and 12 rebounds for Toronto.

BULLS 93, BOBCATS 90: At Chicago, John Salmons scored 27 points, and Joakim Noah added a career-high 21 points and had 16 rebounds in Chicago's third straight win. The Bulls had a 16-0 run in the third and fourth quarters that turned a nine-point deficit into a seven-point lead at 77-70. Boris Diaw led Charlotte with 20 points.

BUCKS 102, KNICKS 87: At Milwaukee, Andrew Bogut scored a season-high 22 points and had eight rebounds, and rookie Jodie Meeks added 19 points for Milwaukee. Rookie Brandon Jennings added 17 points to help the Bucks improve to 3-2. David Lee had 18 points and seven rebounds for New York (1-6).

CLIPPERS 113, GRIZZLIES 110: At Los Angeles, Chris Kaman had 26 points and nine rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers won third straight — equaling their longest winning streak of last season. The Grizzlies were without 10-time All-Star point guard Allen Iverson, whose current status as a backup behind Mike Conley — and Iverson's subsequent comments on the matter — have cast a cloud over coach Lionel Hollins' 1-6 club.