NBA roundup \ Saturday’s games

Celtics 86, Nets 76

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce each scored 16 points, and the Boston Celtics bounced back from their first loss of the season to beat the winless Nets. Ray Allen came alive after three dismal quarters to score eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics (7-1). Boston finished with 20 steals, five by Rondo, scoring 19 points off New Jersey’s 24 turnovers. Kevin Garnett shot 3 of 13 but added nine points and 13 rebounds to help the Celtics beat the Nets for the 10th straight time. Brook Lopez scored 23 points for the Nets (0-7).

Hawks 125, Nuggets 100

ATLANTA — Jamal Crawford scored 25 points, and Josh Smith had 22 points, nine rebounds, six blocked shots and seven assists for Atlanta. Joe Johnson added 21 points, and Marvin Williams had 14. Carmelo Anthony had 30 points for Denver, and Chauncey Billups added 25. The Nuggets have lost two straight after opening 5-0.

Bulls 93, Bobcats 90

CHICAGO — John Salmons scored 27 points, Joakim Noah added a career-high 21 points and had 16 rebounds, and the Bulls won their third straight. The Bulls had a 16-0 run in the third and fourth quarters that turned a nine-point deficit into a seven-point lead at 77-70. They hung on despite some shaky foul shooting, with Charlotte’s Flip Murray missing two 3-pointers in the closing seconds. Boris Diaw led Charlotte with 20 points.

Associated Press