Los Angeles - With the Boston Celtics' "Big Three" watching from the bench, the second unit took front and centre to give the defending NBA champions their first pre-season victory. Tony Allen scored 25 points, and Leon Powe hit the game-winning free throws with 13.6 seconds remaining, lifting the Celtics past the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-94 on Friday night.
Boston's famed trio of Paul Pierce (eight points), Ray Allen (five points) and Kevin Garnett (four points) were limited to an average of just eight minutes against their Eastern Conference rivals.
"I really hadn't planned on playing Kevin and those guys at all tonight," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "But I thought because we are right here down the road (in nearby Providence) the fans needed to see them a little bit. And they got a chance to see the other guy, LeBron (James), who is pretty good, too. I thought they got their money's worth.
James had 12 of his 15 points in the opening quarter and logged just 13 minutes for the Cavaliers (0-2) who fell to the Celtics in a thrilling seven-game series in their conference semifinal playoff series last spring.
The Cavaliers had chance to send the game into overtime, but rookie Billy Walker blocked Jawad Williams' layup at the buzzer, leveling the Celtics' exhibition mark at 1-1.
Elsewhere:
New York Knicks 110, Philadelphia 76ers 104
Chris Duhon scored 19 points, David Lee also had 19 with 15 rebounds, and the Knicks overcome a 16-point first-quarter deficit to give new coach Mike D'Antoni his first pre-season victory.
Zach Randolph contributed 18 points for New York, which dropped its opener to Toronto on Wednesday night. Newcomer Elton Brand, formerly of the LA Clippers, topped Philadelphia (1-1) with 23 points.
Portland Trail Blazers 102, Atlanta Hawks 80
Off-season acquisition Shavlik Randolph scored 19 points on a perfect nine-for-nine floor shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds, leading the Trail Blazers (2-1) over the Hawks. Acie Law and Josh Smith led Atlanta with 12 points apiece.
Detroit Pistons 73, Washington Wizards 62
Rasheed Wallace scored 12 points and Chauncey Billups added 10 in limited action as the Pistons' defence shut down the short-handed Wizards. Caron Butler and Etan Thomas had eight points apiece for the Wizards, playing without all-stars Antawn Jamison (right knee contusion) and Gilbert Arenas (off-season knee surgery).
Orlando Magic 88, CSKA Moscow 63
All-Star centre Dwight Howard scored 16 of his 28 points in the opening quarters, powering the host Magic past the defending Euroleague champions CSKA Moscow, in a pre-season contest. Terence Morris led CSKA with 16 points while fellow-American Trajan Langdon had 12.
Indiana Pacers 102, Chicago Bulls 95
Rookie Brandon Rush and T.J. Ford scored 18 points apiece as the Pacers kept the visiting Bulls winless in pre-season. Tyrus Thomas scored 15 points for the Bulls, who fell to 0-2 under new head coach Vinny Del Negro.
Memphis Grizzlies 92, Charlotte Hornets 79
Rudy Gay scored a game-high 17 points and Hakim Warrick added 14 as the Grizzlies bounced the visiting Bobcats, for their first pre- season victory in three tries. Jason Richardson netted 14 points for Charlotte, which was blown out, 118-80 by Orlando, in new coach Larry Brown's pre-season debut on Wednesday night.
New Orleans Hornets 89, San Antonio Spurs 84
Newcomer Mike James poured in 18 points off the bench, Tyson Chandler added 14 and the Hornets held the host Spurs to nine third- quarter points, to run their pre-season record to 3-0. Perennial all- star forward Tim Duncan, making his pre-season debut, led the Spurs (0-2) with 12 points in just 18 minutes.
Denver Nuggets 118, Minnesota Timberwolves 95
J.R. Smith scored 21 points off the bench, Chris Andersen added 12 along with 11 rebounds, and the host Nuggets overcame the absence of injured all-star Carmelo Anthony (bruised ring finger) to win their pre-season opener. Corey Brewer topped the T-Wolves (2-1) with 18 points.
Dallas Mavericks 105, Milwaukee Bucks 79
Jason Terry scored 17 points to pace a balanced attack, and the Mavericks (3-0) knocked down 14 3-pointers against the host Bucks, to remain unbeaten in the pre-season.
Earlier in the day, Dallas acquired forward Shawne Williams from the Indiana Pacers, in exchange for veteran swingman Eddie Jones, two future second-round draft picks and cash.
Ramon Sessions scored 11 points for Milwaukee, which shot just 38 per cent (29-of-76) from the floor.
Sacramento Kings 94, Oklahoma Thunder 85
Rookie point guard Bobby Brown scored 12 of his 22 points in the final quarter, and backup centre Spencer added 21 as the host Kings (1-1) topped the Thunder, for their first victory in pre-season play. Jeff Green paced Oklahoma, (0-2) formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, with 19 points.
