In hindsight, it was a good decision that the Celtics took the unusual step of retiring Paul Pierce’s jersey in a post-game ceremony rather than at halftime of Sunday’s showcase game against the Cavaliers. Otherwise, the home crowd—which included former Celtics coach Doc Rivers and 2008 title-winners Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo—would have had no reason to stick around for the fourth quarter.
LeBron James and his refashioned supporting cast smoked the Celtics 121-99 at TD Garden, with all four new Cavaliers turning in impressive debuts. Cleveland torched Boston’s No. 1 ranked defense for 64 first-half points before blowing open the contest with an 11-0 run late in the third quarter.