Celtics preseason opener

ROME -- "The Big Three" combined for 50 points through three quarters as the Celtics won their preseason opener 89-85 against the Raptors tonight at the PalaLottomatica in front of a soldout crowd of 11,118.

Celtics newcomer Kevin Garnett had 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting and 16 rebounds in 33 minutes. Celtics forward Paul Pierce had 21 points on 8-of-14 shooting but missed all four 3-point attempts in 33 minutes. And the third member of the The Big Three, newcomer guard Ray Allen, missed 9 of 13 field goal attempts and 5 of 6 3-point attempts to finish with 10 points and 4 assists in 30 minutes. The Celtics held a 70-68 lead through three quarters against their Atlantic Division rival before "The Big Three" sat out the fourth quarter.