Boston 96, Detroit 85

Jermaine O’Neal collected 19 points and seven rebounds as the Boston Celtics picked up their first victory of the season, 96-85, over the visiting Detroit Pistons on Friday.

Ray Allen and Brandon Bass added 17 points apiece for the Celtics, who welcomed Paul Pierce to the lineup for the first time. After sitting out the first three games with a bruised heel, Pierce played 23 minutes on Friday, recording 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.

O’Neal totaled eight points in the first three games but came out more aggressive against the Pistons, scoring 10 in the first half to pace Boston to a 50-43 edge at the break.

The Celtics started to run away with it in the third quarter, when Allen and Pierce hit back-to-back 3-pointers to begin the frame. Bass scored nine points in the quarter and O’Neal had seven as Boston outscored Detroit, 36-21.

The Pistons made a brief run at the beginning of the fourth quarter but the gap proved to be too much.

Greg Monroe scored 22 points to lead Detroit, which fell to 0-3.

• Boston will play their next game on the road against Washington. The Celtics have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .333 after a loss.
• Detroit will play their next game at home against Indiana. The Pistons have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.