Reiseplan » his agent Brian Hamilton confirmed the

BOSTON - The Boston Celtics are learning the hard way.Jeff Green scored 25 points, reserve Marcus Thornton had 21 and the Celtics nearly blew a 25-point third-quarter lead before beating the Washington Wizards 101-93 Sunday in Paul Pierces return.After blowing a big lead earlier in the week and winning in overtime against Detroit, they hung on in the final minute against the Wizards. Boston blew out the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.Thats twice this week that weve handled it better, once we didnt, Boston coach Brad Stevens said. I just thought we played gutsy at the end.In a handful of games earlier this season, the Celtics had squandered big leads and ended up losing.Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for the Celtics, who won their third straight after a season-high five-game losing streak.We got to do what we did to get the lead, Rondo said. I think we stopped running (when) they score every time down its hard to run and were able to get stops and push the ball up, thats how we got the lead.Rasual Butler scored 14 of his 22 points in the final quarter for the Wizards, who failed to match the franchises best start since 1968-69.Pierce, who played for the Celtics for 15 seasons and was a member of their 2008 championship team before being traded to Brooklyn prior to last season, scored 16 points. He signed with Washington as a free agent during the off-season.This place will always have a place in my heart — always, he said.John Wall had 17 points, 14 assists and eight rebounds for Washington, which had won its last four.For whatever reason, after winning four and row and playing the way we have, moving the ball and sharing the ball, we came out tonight as individuals, Wizards coach Randy Wittman said.The Celtics had opened their 25-point lead midway into the third quarter before the Wizards made a furious fourth-quarter rally behind Butler.Washington, which struggled with its shooting, didnt get into an offensive rhythm until the beginning of the final quarter when Butler nailed three 3-pointers during a 14-3 spree that started the quarter.Butlers final quarter — when he nailed four 3-pointers — helped the Wizards make it 94-93 with just over a minute to play.Pierce front-rimmed a 3 before Avery Bradley nailed one from deep in the right corner for Boston with 37 seconds to play, and Greens breakaway layup sealed it.The Celtics increased it to 63-38 in the third on Rondos fastbreak layup and led 77-59 entering the final quarter.___TIP-INSWizards: They were coming off a season-high 119 points in a win over Denver on Friday, but missed 14 of their initial 18 shots and scored only 15 first-quarter points. ... C/F Nene played his second straight after missing five with right plantar fasciitis.Celtics: Stevens likes the test his team will get facing the Wizards on consecutive days. I think theyre a legitimate contender out of the East, he said. This is great for us to have to have to play 96 minutes in a row against this team. ... G Marcus Smart entered the game in the first quarter after being held out of Fridays game while he recovered from a sprained left ankle that sidelined him for 11 of 12.WELCOME BACKPierce got a nice hand during pregame introductions. The crowd near the Wizards bench chanted his name during the third quarter. Its always probably going to be weird just coming up in this arena, he said before the game. Even just landing in the airport and driving through the city, taking a left instead of a right into the locker room. Its always going to be weird coming in here.HANDING IT OUT:Wall had his fourth straight game with 12 or more assists.QUIET DOUBLE-DOUBLEBoston F Jared Sullinger had 10 points and 10 boards. He took only eight shots.UP NEXTThe teams play the second of the home-and-home Monday night in Washington. Shaquem Griffin Jersey . They showered him with "MVP! MVP!" chants. In many ways, it seemed like hed never been gone. D.J. Fluker Jersey . Mitchell first announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Steelers and his agent Brian Hamilton confirmed the signing to The Associated Press. Financial terms were not released. The Steelers have not announced the addition of Mitchell. http://www.officialseattleseahawksfootba...r-jersey-womens. Petersburg of the KHL. Belov was a free agent last summer when he signed a one-year contract with the Oilers. In 57 games this season he had one goal and six assists with 34 penalty minutes in Edmonton. 12th Fan Jersey . - Loosening up for their first training camp practice, the Miami Dolphins high-stepped sideways up and down the field while House of Pains song "Jump Around" blared on the loudspeakers. David Moore Jersey . In Englands first game since its worst-ever World Cup showing, Roy Hodgsons side rarely looked like scoring against unambitious opposition and the breakthrough in the friendly only came when Raheem Sterling was tripped in the penalty area.Maple Leafs Forward Tyler Bozak Happy Canada Day!! ???? — Tyler Bozak (@Bozie42) July 1, 2014 CFL placekicker Luca Congi So thankful my parents came to Canada to make it their new home. Proud and thankful to be born in this great country. Happy Canada Day! — Luca Congi (@LCongi10) July 1, 2014 Calgary Flames Instagram Cincinnati Reds Capitals Forward Brooks Laich Happy #CanadaDay everyone, whether youre in the motherland or abroad - have an awesome day!! pic.twitter.com/3AgEwUo1l7 — Brooks Laich (@brookslaich) July 1, 2014 Milos Raonic Happy Canada Day ?????? — Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) July 1, 2014 Boston Celtics Power Forward Kelly Olynyk Happy Canada Day! Proud to be Canadian! #147 #canada http://t..dddddddddddd.co/SB0UlK6I1Z — Kelly Olynyk (@KellyOlynyk) July 1, 2014 Edmonton Oilers MLB Blue Jays 3rd Baseman Brett Lawrie Cheers to a Beautiful Country #I.AM ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/wmgGPWImQI — Brett Lawrie (@blawrie13) July 1, 2014 Blue Jays Shortstop Jose Reyes Happy Canada day??God bless you all?? #baseballmode???? — Jose Reyes (@lamelaza_7) July 1, 2014 Toronto FC Dwayne De Rosario Happy Canada Day. Great Country with beautiful people #Canadian #2014 pic.twitter.com/Y4hoPlQCsS — Dwayne De Rosario (@dwaynederosario) July 1, 2014 Eugenie Bouchard Happy Canada Day ?????? pic.twitter.com/mGjzcKZYMy — Eugenie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) July 1, 2014 Vancouver Whitecaps Authentic Bills Jerseys Dolphins Stitched Jerseys Cheap Patriots Jerseys Wholesale Jets Jerseys Wholesale Texans Jerseys Cheap Colts Jerseys Jaguars Jerseys Store Authentic Titans Jerseys Authentic Broncos Jerseys Authentic Chiefs Jerseys Cheap Raiders Jerseys Chargers Jerseys Store Cheap Ravens Jerseys Wholesale Bengals Jerseys Cheap Browns Jerseys Steelers Jerseys Store Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys Wholesale Giants Jerseys Authentic Eagles Jerseys Cheap Redskins Jerseys Authentic Falcons Jerseys Panthers Jerseys Store Wholesale Saints Jerseys Authentic Buccaneers Jerseys Wholesale Cardinals Jerseys Cheap 49ers Jerseys Seahawks Jerseys Store Wholesale Rams Jerseys Wholesale Bears Jerseys Authentic Lions Jerseys Cheap Packers Jerseys Vikings Jerseys Store ' ' '