Celtics 89, Wizards 86: Paul Pierce scored 27 points and visiting Boston bolted to a big lead before holding on against host Washington.

Kevin Garnett added 15 points for the Celtics, who avoided their second straight 0-3 start. Rajon Rondo recorded his third straight double-double as he collected 12 points and 12 assists, including a heads-up circus shot in the fourth quarter that avoided a shot clock violation.

Jordan Crawford came off the bench and led the Wizards with 21 points despite playing with a sprained left ankle after colliding with Jeff Green early in the fourth quarter. Kevin Seraphin made his first seven shots and added 19 points in his season debut but was forced into a costly turnover with 28 seconds remaining.

It appeared as if Boston was going to pull away as Green and Pierce hit consecutive 3-pointers for a 79-70 edge with just under nine minutes remaining. Washington forged an 84-84 tie with just over three minutes remaining on Jannero Pargo's 3-pointer from the top of the key with and took its first lead on Seraphin's mid-range jumper. But Pierce hit another 3-pointer and the Celtics hung on.

Boston started off hot by making 12 of its first 22 shots to take a 26-12 lead after one. Washington gradually chipped away and used a 13-4 run to get within 71-67 going into the fourth.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Celtics F Jared Sullinger made his first career start and collected four points and seven rebounds. ... Green, a former Georgetown star, played his first game in Washington since having offseason heart surgery and scored 11 points. ... Washington had 35 straight points scored by its reserves at one point and finished with 62 overall from its second unit.