BOSTON -- New Celtics coach Brad Stevens has a week to figure out his starting lineup before Boston opens the regular season and he may use every bit of that time.Jerome Boateng Soccer Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Boston (2-6) opens the regular season Oct. 30 at Toronto. "I wouldnt call any of our lineups definitive -- as definitive as Id like. But I think were moving in a good direction playing together," said Stevens, the former Butler coach who turned 37 on Tuesday. "Its going to be a day-by-day process. Thats the way its going to have to be with this group." Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass scored 16 points apiece and Vitor Faverani added 15 points and seven rebounds for Boston. Gerald Wallace had 14 points and five assists and Jeff Green scored 12 points for the Celtics. Tyshawn Taylor scored 15 points and Reggie Evans finished with 11 points and eight rebounds for the Nets (4-2). Regardless of the outcome of Wednesdays game, Boston sports fans werent going to be talking much about it on Thursday. With the Red Sox opening the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals just a few miles up the Charles River at Fenway Park, turnout was light for the Celtics final preseason game. And any fans who came to welcome back Pierce and Garnett were disappointed as the former Celtics greats joined many other Nets veterans in a night of rest. Pierce and Garnett should make their return to Boston when the Nets visit the Celtics on Jan. 26. Jason Terry, who also went to the Nets in the draft-night blockbuster trade, did play and finished with seven points and three assists in 24 minutes. "It was special just to see some of my fans that were courtside that I used to talk to and throw headbands and stuff to," he said. "They gave me a warm welcome and that was good." All-Star point guard Deron Williams dressed, but did not play because of a right ankle injury that has kept him out of every preseason game. The Nets close the exhibition season Friday at Miami. Jared Sullinger was sick and didnt play for Boston. And the players who did compete were almost a side note as Red Sox highlights periodically showed up on the scoreboard monitor and drew louder cheers than the basketball game, which was close throughout. Mirza Teletovic hit a 3-pointer to pull the Nets within 93-92 late in the fourth, but the Celtics scored the next six points and held on. The Nets opened the game on a 7-0 run and led by as many as 10 points in the first quarter. Brooklyn took a 30-21 lead on a free throw by Evans early in the second quarter, then Lee made a 3-pointer to open a Boston run and the Celtics outplayed the Nets the rest of the half. Boston closed the quarter on a 12-4 run and led 49-44. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo missed the preseason while rehabilitating a torn ligament in his right knee. He said after the game that hes been fitted for his first brace and hopes to begin contact drills soon. He has not set a timetable for his return. "I hope I can play against the Raptors, but thats not likely," he said. "I know its getting stronger each week." Philipp Lahm Germany Jersey . Pierre Jacksons uncontested layup with 28.8 seconds to play led sixth-ranked Baylor past No. 15 Mississippi State, 54-52, in a hard-fought affair at American Airlines Center. Ron-Robert Zieler Jersey . - Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson has been pleading with his players to improve their defensive effort and efficiency for most of the last two weeks.MADRID, Spain -- Real Madrid spoiled crosstown rival Atletico Madrids short honeymoon as Spanish leader by winning its Copa del Rey semifinal first leg, while Barcelona also took control of its series with a victory over Real Sociedad. Pepe, Jese Rodriguez, and Angel Di Maria all scored as Madrid won a bad-tempered crosstown derby 3-0 to humble Atletico on Wednesday, three days after it took the outright league lead, with only its second loss of the season and first in 23 matches. Barcelona did its part to increase the chances of a clasico in the April 19 final by beating 10-man Sociedad 2-0 at the Camp Nou. Pepe spent much of the game riling up Atletico striker Diego Costa after putting Madrid ahead in the 17th minute at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium where his shot deflected off defender Emiliano Insua past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The hosts dominated the tetchy derby as Courtois made a string of first-half saves before Jese Rodriguez broke through in the 57th as the young striker continued his impressive season by using a quick touch to guide Angel Di Marias pass under the Belgium keeper. Diego Costas frustrations got the better of him as a yellow card in the 61st means Atleticos leading scorer will miss the return leg next week, which leaves the attack depleted with David Villa also expected to be sidelined by injury. With Gareth Bale out for the second straight game and Cristiano Ronaldo strangely subdued, Di Maria capped a productive night with a goal from another deflected shot in the 73rd. It came just after Luka Modric cleared Diego Godins header off the goal-line for Atleticos lone scoring opportunity. Madrid has yet to concede in eight domestic cup matches this season. "Everybody was fantastic, we did everything very well," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said after Madrid ttook a page out of Atleticos book and played with his pressure to keep the visitors from getting any time on the ball. Toni Kroos Germany Jersey. "We showed we can excel in these types of contests." Atleticos first defeat since October came three days after it took over the league lead outright for the first time since 1996. "We didnt come through and play the kind of game we wanted to. Its unfortunate but there is still the return leg," Atletico midfielder Koke said. Sociedads intentions were clear as the Basque side sat back and tried to weather Barcelonas pressure and strike on the counter, but goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto kicked Carlos Velas shot as the Sociedad striker managed an attempt with Javier Mascherano dragging him to the ground. "It should have been a penalty, and it would have changed the whole outlook of the game," Vela said. "When (the referee) gives Barcelona an extra hand, its nearly impossible to beat them." Sociedad goalie Enaut Zubikarai did well to deny Cesc Fabregas and Lionel Messi before watching a ball skip through the area onto the foot of Sergio Busquets to bounce inside the post in the 44th. Sociedad was reduced to 10 men after Inigo Martinez was shown his second yellow card for protesting the goal. Barcelona exploited the extra space as Alexis Sanchez was played clear into the area in the 60th but shot off the post, with Gorka Elustondo mystifyingly clearing the loose ball back into the area where it came off Zubikarai into goal. "We should have scored more goals after going a man up," Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said. "Both series look similar, although Madrid looks more in control of theirs." Like Ronaldo, Messi was also muted until Zubikarai saved his leaping volley effort near the close. ' ' '
