Kevin Garnett walked off the court raising his right index finger to the cheering crowd. By his side, Paul Pierce did the same -- a rare gesture of triumph for the long-suffering Celtics' star.

There was 2:30 left in the game, and Boston had been in control since the middle of the second quarter. The Celtics beat the Wizards 103-83 on Friday night, opening their most promising season in Pierce's 10 years with the club.