HARTFORD, Conn. – Kevin Garnett scored 20 points and Paul Pierce added 16 to help Boston beat New York 97-84 in front of a pro-Celtics crowd of 15,318 on Saturday night at the XL Center.

Glen Davis added 15 points for the Celtics (6-1), who played their starters in the first and third quarters and the reserves in the second and fourth in their penultimate preseason game.

Danilo Galinari led New York (1-3) with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, Wilson Chandler added 17 points and Raymond Felton 16.

Knicks forward Amare Stoude-mire, who averaged 24.3 points in his first three games, rested Saturday, replaced in the starting lineup by guard Toney Douglas.

Coach Mike D’Antoni said the move was strictly precautionary, with the game opening a stretch of four in five days for the Knicks. Stoudemire is likely to be in the lineup today against Washington.

Jermaine O’Neal (hand) and Delonte West (lower back) sat out for the Celtics, with West not making the trip after undergoing an MRI earlier in the day.

NOTES

With a home crowd chanting his name, Yao Ming looked sharp as he tested his surgically repaired foot in helping the Houston Rockets beat the New Jersey Nets 95-85 at Guangzhou, China. Yao scored 10 points in a showcase for the 7-foot-5 center who has spurred the growth of basketball in China. Easing his way back after sitting out last season, Yao made several deft hook shots during his 18 minutes. … LeBron James returned to practice with the Miami Heat, reporting no problems with his ailing right hamstring.