New York ? When it came time to turn up the offense in the fourth quarter, Paul Pierce did and Allan Houston didn’t.

Pierce scored 46 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, as the Boston Celtics bounced back from the worst loss in franchise history with a 117-107 victory Saturday night over the New York Knicks.

Pierce, a Kansas University product, was just two points shy of his career high set last season, scoring 14 of Boston’s final 20 points.

Antoine Walker added 18 points and 10 assists and Eric Williams scored 19 for Boston, which lost by 45 points at Washington two nights earlier to drop to 0-2.

“We were going to come in and do whatever it takes to get that first one,” Pierce said. “I didn’t want to leave this building without a win.”

Houston scored 39 for the Knicks, but only two of his points came in the final 1012 minutes.

Part of the reason for his dry spell was the defense of Pierce, who held Houston to 2-for-6 shooting in the final 12 minutes.

Magic 100, Bucks 90

Milwaukee Tracy McGrady scored 47 points as Orlando (3-1) snapped an eight-game losing streak at the Bradley Center. McGrady came within three points of his career high of 50 set against Washington last March 8.

Nuggets 96, Trail Blazers 79

Portland, Ore. James Posey had a triple-double with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists as Denver earned its first win this season.

Mavericks 97, Suns 83

Dallas Dirk Nowitzki scored 22 points and Michael Finley scored eight of his 17 points during a third-quarter run that sent Dallas past Phoenix.

Jazz 101, Warriors 92

Salt Lake City Karl Malone scored 26 points as Utah beat Golden State to avoid its first 0-3 start since 1979.

Rockets 88, Raptors 76

Houston Steve Francis scored 28 points as Houston beat Toronto. The Raptors played most of the game without guard Vince Carter, who left with 6:17 to go in the first quarter with a strained right knee and did not return.

Hornets 100, Heat 95

New Orleans Jamal Mashburn scored 35 points and grabbed eight rebounds against his former team to lead New Orleans over Miami.

Nets 87, Wizards 79

Washington Jason Kidd scored 18 points as New Jersey beat Washington. Michael Jordan finished with 21 points.

Hawks 98, Bulls 92

Atlanta Glenn Robinson became the first Atlanta player to score 30 points in three straight games to start a season, and the Hawks beat Chicago.

Kings 116, Grizzlies 99

Memphis, Tenn. Vlade Divac had 24 points and nine assists to lead Sacramento over Memphis. Bobby Jackson scored 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field, and Hedo Turkoglu added 22 off the bench as six Sacramento players scored in double figures. Sacramento’s Scot Pollard missed the game with a strained lower back. Memphis’ Drew Gooden had eight points, the first time this season he hasn’t scored in double figures.

Pacers 87, Timberwolves 80

Indianapolis Brad Miller scored 22 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and Jermaine O’Neal had 21 points and 14 rebounds as Indiana beat Minnesota.