New Three Win Opener

11/3/2007

Big Three Win Season Opener

With the local sports spotlight dominated by the Red Sox, Patriots, and Boston College football team, the Celtics screamed for attention last night.

They sparkled during their season opener by routing the Wizards, 103-83, before a sellout crowd of 18,624 at TD Banknorth Garden. Veteran Paul Pierce highlighted the debut of the star trio as he finished with 28 points, while newcomers Kevin Garnett (22 points, 20 rebounds) and Ray Allen (17 points) also shone in front of a national television audience.

Allen, acquired in a draft night trade from Seattle, cooled his nerves while driving to the arena by listening to such rap stars as Lil' Wayne, Outkast, and 50 Cent. Garnett? The 10-time All-Star, acquired in a blockbuster offseason trade from Minnesota, had his usual stone-faced intensity as he walked into the training room before the game. And the unflappable Pierce didn't seem fazed by the "Big Three" hype as he relaxed calmly at his locker.

"I don't really feed into it," said Pierce. "I stay focused on the locker room."

There actually has been more hype nationally for the Celtics (in Sports Illustrated and on ESPN) than locally because of the Red Sox, Patriots, and Eagles. But while much of the sports focus in this city has been understandably elsewhere, there was a buzz in the arena.

"It's like a playoff atmosphere," said forward Brian Scalabrine before the game. "That's what it feels like. I ain't lying to you."

As the buzzer sounded for the game to start, the ecstatic fans began chanting, "Let's go, Celtics." They also chanted, "Gilbert [stinks]," at Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas, who recently wrote in his blog that everyone is jumping on the Celtics' bandwagon and Boston fans should cheer for him as they watch their team lose.

Last season, the Celtics had the second-worst team in the NBA and endured a franchise-worst 18-game losing streak. A frustrated Pierce emphatically requested help from the front office and probably got more than he anticipated in two perennial All-Stars. And before the game, the 10th-year Celtic gave an emotional address to the long-suffering fans.

"You've stuck with us through the good times and bad times," Pierce said. "It's time to turn those times around."

Garnett seemed a bit nervous early as he shot a brick off the glass on his first field goal attempt. Garnett, Allen, and Pierce actually missed the first three shots for the Celtics. Boston's first points came on two free throws from Garnett with 10:13 left in the first quarter. The Celtics completed the first with a 21-18 lead.

Surprisingly, the Celtics put the game away in the second quarter with Garnett and Allen on the bench for much of a major run.

Boston used an 11-2 spurt to take a 38-26 lead with Garnett and Allen on the bench. Garnett and Allen returned with 6:32 left and helped the Celtics go into halftime with a 22-point cushion (58-36).

One question constantly asked during the preseason was which member of the star trio would take a big shot when needed. Garnett recently said it may not be him, Allen, or Pierce but a role player. With 15.2 seconds left and the ball in point guard Rajon Rondo's hands, the fans witnessed the first answer to the intriguing question.

Rondo took it himself, maneuvering for a shifty lay-in with 3.4 seconds left before the half.

The Celtics outscored the Wizards, 37-18, in the quarter, shooting 56 percent from the field and scoring 14 points off seven turnovers.

Pierce had a game-high 19 points at the half, making 8 of 13 shots and nailing three 3-pointers. Garnett had 10 points, Allen 12. With the crowd heckling him every time he touched the ball, Arenas missed 7 of 9 shots and all three 3-point attempts and had three turnovers in the half.

Each team scored 21 points in the third quarter as the Celtics maintained a comfortable 79-57 lead. Pierce had a game-high 23 points through three.

His 3-point play with 8:25 left in the fourth gave Boston an 86-68 lead, and the Celtics cruised from there.