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Garnett records triple-double, Celtics rip Cavs

Oct 27, 2007 - 2:32 AM By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

BOSTON (Ticker) - Appearing on the cover of several national publications this week, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen want to live up to the hype.

On Friday night, in the final preseason tune-up for both teams, the Boston Celtics beat a team that stands in their way, the defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers, 114-89, at TD Banknorth Garden.

Garnett received a standing ovation after recording his first triple-double in a Celtics uniform, finishing with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Allen had 20 while Pierce added 12.

LeBron James scored 17 for Cleveland while Larry Hughes led the visitors with 18.

Boston finished the preseason 4-3 and begins the season next Friday at home against the Washington Wizards. Cleveland finished just 1-6 in the preseason and opens at home Wednesday against Dallas.

The Celtics jumped out to a 33-22 lead after one quarter, thanks to the all-around efforts of Garnett. The Celtics star scored 10 points, hauled in five rebounds and handed out six assists while playing all 12 minutes.

The Celtics built their lead up to 12 points three times in the second quarter before the Cavs closed the first half with a 12-6 run to pull within, 57-51, at halftime.

James and Pierce were involved in a collision midway through the third quarter. Both fell hard to the court as James drove to the basket. No foul was called and both stayed in the game.

Allen had 11 of his game-high 20 points in the third quarter, helping the Celtics push a three-point lead up to 13, 86-73, entering the fourth. Boston opened the final period with a 14-0 run to put the game away.

Kendrick Perkins was back in the starting lineup for Boston after a strained left hamstring forced him to miss Tuesday's loss in New Jersey.

Cleveland guards Daniel Gibson (strained right hamstring) and Eric Snow (left knee) did not travel with the team to Boston.