New-look Cavaliers crush Celtics

LeBron James quieted a Celtics crowd that came to celebrate Paul Pierce on Sunday, scoring 24 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds to give the new-look Cavaliers a 121-99 victory in Boston.

As the Cavaliers opened a 27-point lead midway through the fourth, the crowd began chanting “We want Paul Pierce!” After the game, Pierce’s No. 34 was raised to the TD Garden rafters — the 23rd Celtics player to be so honored.

In their first appearances for the Cavaliers since being acquired at the trade deadline, Jordan Clarkson scored 17 and George Hill had 12.

DeMar DeRozan had 25 points to help the Raptors beat the Hornets 123-103. The win was the 300th for Dwane Casey, the only Raptors coach to reach the milestone. ... The Kings waived G/F Joe Johnson three days after they acquired him from the Jazz at the trade deadline. In 16 seasons, Johnson, 36, has averaged 16.2 ppg and has been an All-Star seven times . ... Free agent G Marco Belinelli plans to sign with the 76ers. News services