NEW YORK -- For Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, seeing Deron Williams back far outweighed seeing the Celtics again. Williams scored a season-high 25 points in his return to the lineup, Brook Lopez added 24, and the Brooklyn Nets beat Boston 104-96 Tuesday night in the first matchup for Pierce and Garnett against their former team. "D-Will set the tone for how we were going to play tonight," Garnett said. Garnett had 11 points, just his third time in double figures this season, and grabbed nine rebounds. Pierce finished with four points and seven rebounds in his first appearance off the bench in six years after making a quick recovery from a broken right hand. But the key was Williams, who had missed nine straight games and 11 overall with a sprained left ankle, and hadnt been sharp in the games in which he did appear. "Hes the head of the snake," Pierce said. "I mean hes one of the most important pieces of what were trying to do here, what were trying to build and trying to win a championship." The Nets won consecutive games for the first time this season, a stunning stat for a team that considered itself a championship contender after acquiring Pierce and Garnett in a blockbuster that was agreed to on draft night. Both veterans had struggled, with the 12.4 points per game and .368 shooting by Pierce easily the lowest of his career before he was hurt on Nov. 29. The Nets had lost six straight at home, their longest skid since moving to Brooklyn. "Were starting to get whole and its definitely good to have everybody back," Williams said. "Even though Paul didnt start, I thought he came in and gave us a big boost off the bench. It seemed like our energy level was a lot better. More intensity on both ends of the floor." Avery Bradley scored 22 points and Jeff Green had 19 for the Celtics, who have been competitive after trading away two of their most important players from their 2008 NBA championship team. Boston had a three-game winning streak snapped and its Atlantic Division-leading record fell to 10-13. "The players that they had come back tonight, I still feel like they were a very good team. But obviously having two of their leaders as in Deron Williams and Paul, you know that definitely helps them out a lot," Bradley said. The Celtics had started with 14-0 and 12-0 leads in their last two games, the latter eventually ballooning to a 45-point bulge in a 114-73 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday that was the NBAs most lopsided game this season. Brooklyn got off to the strong start in this one, pulled away again after Boston tied it, and put it away when Williams, who came in averaging just 9.3 points, scored eight in the final period. "They played great tonight. Played really hard, really together. They took us out of what we wanted to do," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "Like I said, we werent playing the New Jersey Nets that played without D-Will for those 10 games. That is their team and theyre a good basketball team." Pierce was expected to miss two to four weeks, but sat out only four games before returning to practice Monday. He received a nice ovation when he checked in with a protective glove covering his hand midway through the first quarter, no doubt aided by the many Boston fans that were noticeable all around Barclays Center. He said hes still getting used to the glove, joking he might take it out to the movies, and might have to get used to a new role. Coach Jason Kidd said he would consider whether Pierce would remain with the second unit. Garnett gave a pat on the head and a little hug before the opening tip to Bostons starters, who go on to face former coach Doc Rivers and the Clippers on Wednesday. The Nets led 31-20 after one, their largest lead after the opening quarter this season, and 56-47 at the half. Boston quickly tied it at 60, but the Nets responded with 10 straight points, going ahead 70-60 on Williams jumper, and the lead reached 85-68 on Pierces free throw with 1:14 left. NOTES: It was the first time Garnett played against the Celtics since March 4, 2007, for Minnesota. ... Boxer Paulie Malignaggi was presented with the championship of Brooklyn belt by Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark in the second quarter after beating fellow Brooklyn product Zab Judah in a welterweight bout here Saturday. Aaron Ekblad Panthers Jersey . "Yes, Id like to get them in," Detroits rookie manager said. "Mother Natures going to have a say in that." Sure enough, the Tigers had their game against the Kansas City Royals postponed because of rain on Thursday. Henrik Borgstrom Jersey . - Even with a new coach, the Denver Nuggets still love to push the basketball. http://www.hockeypanthersofficialonline.com/mark-pysyk-hockey-jersey/ . Not because it was right, but because referees werent allowed to determine it was wrong. Florida Panthers Jerseys . After not scoring 40 points in the opening quarter in the last five seasons, the Rockets have done it five times this season and twice in the last three games. Denis Malgin Jersey . The result was a game-winning, power-play goal. Chiasson snapped a third-period tie and lifted the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory on Monday night. CLEVELAND -- Robbie Erlin allowed one run in six innings and Chase Headleys single in the sixth drove in the go-ahead run, leading the San Diego Padres to a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Indians and a split of Wednesdays doubleheader. Clevelands pitching dominated a 2-0 victory in the first game. Zach McAllister pitched 7 2-3 scoreless innings and Jason Kipnis hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Erlin (1-0) held the Indians to four hits, struck out six and didnt walk a batter. Three relievers blanked the Indians, including Huston Street, who pitched the ninth for his third save. San Diego scored in the first, thanks in part to a call on the field that was ruled a no-catch by first base umpire Bob Davidson, even though Indians right fielder Elliot Johnson appeared to have made the play on a ball hit by Chris Denorfia. Indians manager Terry Francona used his challenge to have the play reviewed, but replay officials in New York upheld the call on the field. Trevor Bauer (0-1), added to the roster to start the game, allowed two runs and struck out a career-high eight in six innings. Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera fielded Everth Cabreras ground ball to start the game, but his throw to first went into San Diegos dugout for a two-base error. Johnson made a long run for Denorfias fly ball and crashed into the fence in front of San Diegos bullpen. Johnson had the ball in his glove momentarily, but dropped it as he transferred it to make a throw. Davidson ruled Johnson didnt have control of the ball long enough and Francona immediately came out to talk with the umpire. After a brief discussion, Francona challenged the call. After a delay of two minutes, the call was upheld. Cabrera went to third and the play was scored a double. Seth Smiths groundout scored Cabrera as the crowds boos grew louder. Erlin was making his first start of the seasson.dddddddddddd The left-hander pitched two-thirds of an inning and didnt allow a run on April 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mike Aviles tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the third. In the sixth, Everth Cabrera led off with a single and, with one out, Bauer hit Smith with a pitch and walked Yonder Alonso. Headley lined a single into left field to give San Diego the lead. Street retired Carlos Santana to start the ninth, but Ryan Raburn lined a single off the glove of shortstop Everth Cabrera. After pinch-runner Nyjer Morgan stole second, Michael Brantley walked on a 3-2 pitch. Yan Gomes flied out and Asdrubal Cabrera lined to right. In the first game, McAllister (1-0) allowed five hits and struck out seven without a walk. He retired the first two batters in the eighth, but was pulled after allowing two singles. Cody Allen recorded the third out. John Axford survived a shaky ninth for his fourth save, getting two outs with runners on second and third. Eric Stults (0-2) took a shutout into the sixth, but third baseman Alexi Amaristas throwing error was followed by Kipnis first home run of the season. NOTES: The Indians optioned RHP Vinnie Pestano to Triple-A Columbus before the first game. Pestano allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning Tuesday and goes to the minors with a 13.50 ERA. RHP Chen-Chang Lee was recalled from Columbus to take Pestanos spot. ... San Diego OF Xavier Nadys home run in the ninth inning Tuesday was his first hit since Sept. 30, 1012 when he homered for San Francisco against the Padres. Nady spent all of last season in the minors. ... The Padres called up LHP Bobby LaFromboise from Triple-A El Paso for the doubleheader... Cleveland begins a four-game series in Chicago on Thursday night. ... The Padres open a 10-game homestand Friday against Detroit. ' ' '