Celtics (7-1) Pierce Toronto ( 4-3) Raptors: 94-87

Paul Pierce overcame a 3-of-13 shooting funk to score 36 points to lead the Celtics to victory over conference rival Toronto Raptors.

The Celtics were lethargic after a big win at Detroit the night before and heading for a loss at home until Kevin Garnett started trash talking and scoring and Paul Pierce woke up to score 22 points in the fourth quarter.

But it was the Portland bench of Travis Outlaw (20 points) and Euro newcomer Rudy Fernandez (16 points) who led Portland in the fourth quarter to beat Orlando. Outlaw is shooting a white hot 65 percent from 3-point land and was 3-of-5 last night. Fernandez hit 4 of 6 shots from downtown, but is showing he is more than a shooter with 3 steals, 3 assists and a blocked shot on the night.

Portland has played a tough early season schedule and is 4-3 so far.

Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu tried to bring the Magic back in the fourth quarter and led both teams with 35 points. The Magic's lack of depth, lack of help for Howard in the middle and middling point guard play will hold this team back from advancing beyond where they are.

An inside/outside team, they are shooting more threes but hitting them less often, led by Rashard Lewis' 28 percent shooting from the arc. He was 0-5 last night.

Miami's (4-3) Wade Outshoots the Nets (2-4) in the 4th

In yet another fourth-quarter clutch performance, Dwyane Wade scored 19 of his 33 points to lead the Heat back from a 10-point deficit to beat the Devin Harris-less Nets. The Heat were without Shawn Marion as both are recovering from minor injuries.

The Nets were led by Yi Jianlian with 24 points, including 5 of 6 from outside, by far his best 3-point shooting as a pro. Yi also had 10 rebounds, while Vince Carter added 22 points, and Keyon Dooling, solid defensively, but erratic offensively, contributed 18 points in a rare starting role.

The Nets have some talented role players and some young players with promise, but it will probably be a long year for Nets coach Lawrence Frank as they learn how to play the game together.

Miami received scoring support from rookie Michael Beasley with 19 and Daequan Cook with 15. Don't let the 4-3 record against weak early competition fool you. The Heat need point guard help and help in the middle, where power forward Udonis Haslem is playing center. Shawn Marion is having trouble fitting in so far, averaging just 10 points.

An unusual cast of characters has moved through Miami in recent years, including the departed Ricky Davis and Antoine Walker. They still have Mark Blount, and Marcus Banks, and aren't sure what to do with them. How far the Celtics have come. How far the Heat have dropped.

Still, Dwyane Wade is better than Vince Carter by a country mile and showed it in this game.

Phoenix Suns (6-2) Barbosa explodes for 27 to beat Grizzlies (3-5): 107-102

In yet another fourth-quarter shootout, O.J. Mayo outscoresd Leandro Barbosa 19 to 16, but it's not enough as the Suns regain the lead in the final seconds to win. Mayo scores 33 in the game, but Barbosa scores 27 in 22 minutes as Terry Porter's Suns are a surprising 6-2 to start the season.

The Suns are adapting from a run-and-gun D'Antoni offense that was perfect for two-time MVP Steve Nash, to a defensive emphasis and half court game that will get the most out of Shaquille O'Neal. O'Neal looks out of shape and Nash is not a strong defender. Yet, the early results are good. The reason?