LeBron James scored a game-high 31 points in his Miami Heat debut, but it wasn't enough to beat the Celtics as Boston topped Miami 88-80 in the season opener for both teams at TD Garden.
Miami (0-1) trailed 16-9 after the first quarter and 45-30 entering halftime. However, James scored 15 points in the third quarter to help the Heat outscore the Celtics 27-18 in the period.
Yet the Celtics (1-0) were able to fend off the Heat in the fourth quarter, outscoring Miami 25-23 to preserve the victory.
Paul Pierce scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and also had 9 rebounds. Ray Allen scored 20 points and Kevin Garnett totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Rajon Rondo only scored four points but had 17 assists, five rebounds and two steals in the victory.
Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh had just eight points through three quarters. Wade finished with 13 and Bosh finished with eight and also had eight rebounds.
Boston made 32-of-69 shots (46.4%) from the field while Miami made 27-of-74 shots (36.5%). The Celtics had 42 rebounds, 25 assists, six steals and 18 turnovers. Miami amassed 39 rebounds, 15 assists, 10 steals and 17 turnovers.
The Celtics travel to Quicken Loans Arena to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in their second game of the young season on Wednesday night. As for the Heat, they travel to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.