Paul Pierce had 12 points, four boards and one assists in the first half as the Boston Celtics lead the Washington Wizards, 49-42, on Saturday in Washington, DC.

After a tough night against the Milwaukee Bucks Friday, Pierce got going from the opening tip to lead the C's.

Boston blew open the first quarter, leading 17-2 over the first eight minutes of the game, with Washington's only bucket coming on a Kevin Garnett goal tend. The Celtics finished the first quarter leading 26-12, which is the first time they've led at the end of a quarter this season.

Controlling possessions was key coming into Boston's third game of the year as well. The Celtics had six turnovers, while dishing out 15 assists at the end of two.

Defensively, the Celtics turned up their intensity after a pair of uncharacteristic games. That is until Kevin Seraphin entered the game. They forced the Wizards to shoot 4-of-19 in the first quarter and 45 percent from the field in the half, but Seraphin had eight points in the second quarter, shooting 5-of-5 from the field.

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