Nets get 23 from Jefferson, beat Celtics
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-10-23 14:00

Richard Jefferson scored 23 points and Eric Williams added 14 to lead the New Jersey Nets past the Boston Celtics 96-83 in a preseason game Friday night.

The Celtics played without Paul Pierce, who sprained his left ankle against Chicago on Tuesday night. He went through a regular workout Friday afternoon, but took the night off.

The Celtics expect Pierce to be ready for Saturday's game against Cleveland in Uncasville, Conn.

The Nets broke the game open with a 10-2 run to close out the first half and a 12-1 run to open the second. Travis Best made three straight layups to put New Jersey ahead 51-48 at halftime, and Jefferson and Williams each had a pair of baskets to help push the lead to 63-51 early in the third quarter.

The Celtics got as close as 82-77 with 9:52 left in the fourth, but New Jersey answered with a 7-0 run.

The Nets outscored Boston 52-22 in the paint.

Ricky Davis led the Celtics with 16 points. Rookie Tony Allen added 12 points and six rebounds.

The Celtics announced they have moved the start time for Wednesday night's final preseason game at home against Detroit to 6 p.m. to avoid a conflict with Game 4 of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox.

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