Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett enjoyed a homecoming Sunday night.
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The Boston Garden showered Kevin Garnett and, especially, Paul Pierce with applause as they were announced before Sunday night’s return to the city. But the duo, who led Boston to the 2008 NBA title, didn’t allow their new team to take it easy on the current Celtics.
As for Pierce and Garnett themselves, well they struggled mightily in an 85-79 win by Brooklyn. Pierce scored just six points on 2-of-10 shooting and struggled with foul trouble. Garnett wasn’t much better, with six points as well, though he took just six shots.
The second unit, led by Andray Blatche and Deron Williams, still returning from injury, had 47 points for Brooklyn. Blatche led all scorers with 17 points.
Mirza Teletovic, one game after blowing up for 34 points, had just nine points on 4-of-11 shooting. He was 1-of-6 from 3-point range after sinking seven 3-pointers against Dallas.
Jeff Green suffered through an equally terrible shooting performance as Pierce. He finished 2-of-13 (1-of-7 from 3-point range) for eight points.
Pierce, who spent the first 15 years of his career in Boston, didn’t acknowledge the cheers before the game — though Garnett did.
Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.
