New-look Celtics win in Rome

Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 16 rebounds in his Celtics debut, and Boston ruined Andrea Bargnani’s homecoming with an 89-85 preseason victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday at Rome.

Paul Pierce added 21 points for Boston, while Ray Allen had an off night with 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting.

The start of the NBA Europe Live tour marked the first game since Garnett and Allen joined the Celtics, creating a “Big 3” with Boston veteran Pierce.

“It was good to finally get out there and get our feet wet,” Pierce said. “It was probably the best first game since I’ve been with the Celtics.”

Bargnani, last year’s top overall draft pick by Toronto, played his first game in his hometown in an NBA jersey and scored 13 points in less than 15 minutes.

Timberwolves 84, Efes Pilsen 81: At Istanbul, Turkey, Al Jefferson had 11 points and 17 rebounds as Minnesota won.