Pierce, Garnett return as Nets defeat Celtics

Washington, Jan 27 (IANS) Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett returned to the TD Garden for the first time since they were traded to New York last July, and combined for 12 points in Brooklyn Nets’ 85-79 win over their former team Boston Celtics.

The veteran duo, who helped the Celtics win the NBA Championships in 2008, received a warm welcome from the Boston fans during the game Sunday. The Celtics broadcasted videos to thank them for their contribution to the team, reports Xinhua.

The Nets had won 10 out of their previous 11 games, and the highest-spending team in NBA stayed on the seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 20-22 record, 2.5 wins behind the third-placed Atlanta Hawks.

Andray Blatche scored a team-high 17 points for the Nets. Alan Anderson and Andrei Kirilenko had 11 points each.

Brandon Bass led the Celtics with 17 points. Rajon Rondo finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

The Nets would next face the Toronto Raptors Monday.