Garnett returns in easy win over Bobcats

The Associated Press

BOSTON -- Kevin Garnett scored 10 points with seven rebounds over 26 easy minutes in his return to the Boston parquet on Wednesday night and the Celtics held Charlotte to a franchise-low in scoring and coasted to a 92-59 victory in their home opener.

Ray Allen scored 18 points and was the only Boston starter to play in the fourth quarter as the Celtics followed their opening-night victory over Cleveland with a blowout of the Bobcats. Paul Pierce scored 15, Rajon Rondo scored 10 with 11 assists and Rasheed Wallace came off the bench with three 3-pointers.

Shelden Williams had 12 points and nine rebounds as a reserve.

Gerald Wallace had 10 points and 12 rebounds — the only Bobcat to reach double digits in scoring.

Garnett, who missed 25 regular-season games and the playoffs last year because of strained ligaments in his right knee, went through his usual pregame routine, pumping his arms and banging his head against the basket support. He hopped around the court, pointing at the crowd, drawing cheers from the fans who believe that his injury was the only thing that kept Boston from winning back-to-back NBA championships.

Pierce took the microphone before the opening tip, alluding to last season's disappointment and promising something better in 2009-10.

“We expect great things. You see up there, there's only 17 of them,” he said, pointing to the championship banners than hang from the Boston Garden rafters. “I think we need another one.”

Other than that, the biggest cheers were for the scores showing the Yankees were losing Game 1 of the World Series. (LeBron James and Co.'s loss to Toronto was also a crowd-pleaser.)

One day after beating the Cavaliers to snap an 11-game losing streak in Cleveland and make an early statement about the balance of power in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics returned to Boston. The home opener had fewer subplots, and even less drama.

MAGIC 120, 76ERS 106 — In Orlando, Fla., Dwight Howard had 21 points and 15 rebounds, Vince Carter scored 15 points and the new-look Orlando rolled over Philadelphia in the season opener for both teams.

Ryan Anderson added 16 points, and Jason Williams had 15 points to highlight a deep Magic bench. Orlando went ahead by 23 points at the half, scored 100 through three quarters and showed no signs of a finals hangover after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers on the same floor in June.

RAPTORS 101, CAVALIERS 91 — In Toronto, Andrea Bargnani scored 28 points, Chris Bosh had 21 points and 16 rebounds, and Toronto overcame LeBron James' 25th career triple-double to beat Cleveland.

James had 23 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, but Cleveland opened its season with consecutive losses for the first time since an 0-3 start in 2004-05. James scored 38 points in Tuesday's 95-89 home loss to Boston.

Mo Williams scored 16 points and Shaquille O'Neal had 12 for Cleveland, which had won five straight over Toronto and nine of 10.

HAWKS 120, PACERS 109 — In Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 25 points, Al Horford had 24 and the Atlanta Hawks finally played some defense in an offensive shootout, pulling away in the fourth quarter for a season-opening victory.

The Pacers shot 53 percent from the field but only 5 of 15 in the final period, including an uncontested layup at the end. They also turned it over six times to finish with a staggering 25 giveaways, leading to 32 points for the home team.

HEAT 115, KNICKS 93 — In Miami, Dwyane Wade began defense of his NBA scoring title with 26 points, Jermaine O'Neal finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds, and Miami opened their season with a win over the New York.

New starting power forward Michael Beasley scored 21 for Miami, which shot 9 of 25 in the first quarter — then a staggering 26 of their next 31 over the next 20 minutes, on the way to building an 85-59 lead.

THUNDER 102, KINGS 89 — In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Jeff Green added 24 points and Oklahoma City led from start to finish in a victory over Sacramento in the season opener for both teams.

Oklahoma City hit 10 of its first 13 shots and built a double-digit lead in the first 6 minutes of the game, then never let Sacramento mount a serious comeback in Paul Westphal's debut as coach.

SPURS 113, HORNETS 96 — In San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 17 points before leaving the game after a hard fall and San Antonio beat New Orleans.

Parker landed with a thud on his right side after slicing between fellow All-Star Chris Paul and Hilton Armstrong for a layup late in the third quarter. He lay scrunched up and wincing for more than a minute before walking back to the bench on his own.