NBA: Boston 88, Miami 80

BOSTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Ray Allen and Paul Pierce combined for 39 points Tuesday, lifting the Boston Celtics to an 88-80 win over Miami in the debut of the Heat's "Big Three."

Allen pumped in 20 points, Pierce contributed 19 and Rajon Rondo dished off 17 assists to hand the defending Eastern Conference champs a victory over the new-look Heat of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in the first game of the NBA's 2010-11 regular season.

The much-hyped game was probably the most-anticipated NBA opener in the league's history after the Heat signed reigning two-time NBA MVP James and all-star power forward Bosh to join Wade in Miami. The "Big Three" were given contracts worth a total of $327 million.

But the game belonged to the Celtics. Allen made five 3-pointers, including a key trey late in the game, to help nail down the victory.

James had a fine debut for Miami, pouring in 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting. But Wade and Bosh both struggled with 13 and eight points, respectively, combining to go only 7-of-27 from the field.