With words from LeBron James about the exit of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce from the Boston Celtics still ringing in their ears, Pierce delivered a shoulder block to James on a breakaway in the first quarter of Thursday's game between the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat. Garnett also landed a soft blow on James' head.

"That's going to be our identity," Pierce said. "That's a message to the league."

Pierce and Garnett didn't understand the criticism from James, who was trying to stick up for the criticism Ray Allen received when he left the Celtics to sign with the Heat in 2012.

"Tell LeBron to worry about Miami," Garnett said after the game. "He has nothing to do with Celtic business."