76ers, Celtics

Shaq makes Celtics'

debut in win over 76ers

Shaquille O'Neal scored eight points in his debut with the Boston Celtics and the defending Eastern Conference champions opened their preseason with a 93-65 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Ray Allen led Boston with 14 points, including two 3-pointers, while Glen `Big Baby' Davis and Semih Erden both had 13 points.

But it was "The Diesel's Debut" that grabbed much of the attention.

The Celtics, who lost an epic Game 7 of the NBA finals to the Los Angeles Lakers, returned coach Doc Rivers, who considered retirement, as well as Allen and Paul Pierce - both of whom could have left via free agency.