Pierce, Celtics cruise in blowout of Bulls

BOSTON – A mere four-quarter game felt so pedestrian Friday night at TD Garden.

But the only overtime needed is the extra work the Bulls must put in to hang with the Eastern Conference powerhouse Celtics at full strength now that Kevin Garnett has returned from injury.

After engaging in last spring’s epic first-round playoff series that included four overtime games and seven overtime sessions, the Celtics ran away and hid from the Bulls in a 118-90 blowout.

Paul Pierce scored 20 of his 22 points in the third quarter – making all seven shots – and Ray Allen added 20 points in 24 minutes for the 3-0 Celtics, who shot a blistering 58.1 percent. Rajon Rondo added 16 assists.

Those screams you’re hearing are the figurative kind from the Bulls’ roller coaster – world beaters one night, wimps the next – that could ride throughout the season.

“They’re a better team this year, and I don’t think it’s even close,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “And that’s taking nothing from Ben [Gordon]. He was phenomenal in the playoffs last year. But they have more size. They’re better defensively. They seem a better fit.”

Of course, Maywood native Rivers uttered these words before the game.

Shortly after the Celtics flashed highlights from that epic playoff series, a fired-up Joakim Noah clapped his hands twice, shouted “Let’s go!” and won the opening tip.

That might have been the Bulls’ highlight.

They shot 25 percent in the first quarter, 28.9 percent in the first half and 41.5 for the game.

John Salmons missed his first six shots, finished 2 of 14 and is 5 of 29 on the young season.

One night after looking back to form, Luol Deng missed his first five shots and finished 2 of 8 for four points.

Eddie House’s three-pointer (22 points) with 7 minutes, 22 seconds left in the first half capped a 14-4 run and built a double-digit lead the Celtics kept for the remainder. The Bulls trailed by as many as 31.