Gilbert Arenas got the season-opening jitters out of the way just in time for a stellar performance in the Washington Wizards' home opener.

Three days after a nervous performance against LeBron James to start the season, Arenas put up 44 points Saturday night, leading the Wizards to a 124-117 victory over the turnover-prone Boston Celtics.

``I found my rhythm this game,'' said Arenas, who made 14 of 25 field goals and 11 of 12 free throws. ``I think I was just anxious that first game. I wanted to get out there. Tonight I was back to my old self, scoring, distributing the ball and keeping it up-tempo.''

Arenas was so pumped before Wednesday's game against Cleveland that he stayed up late dribbling a ball in his hotel room _ driving teammate Caron Butler crazy next door _ then went out and scored only seven points on 2-for-12 shooting. Last year, he routinely followed bad games with good ones, and no one should have expected anything different Saturday.

``We knew he'd come out and play well because he struggled in his first game,'' Boston coach Doc Rivers said.

Elsewhere in the NBA it was: Charlotte 92, Cleveland 88; Indiana 109, New York 95; Detroit 95, Memphis 86; Houston 107, Dallas 76; Milwaukee 104, Sacramento 91; Utah 106, Golden State 82; Portland 88, Minnesota 86; and Los Angeles Clippers 114, Phoenix 108.

At Washington, Arenas scored 16 in the third quarter, when the Wizards pulled away to take their first double-digit lead. The Wizards' ``Big Three'' of Arenas, Butler and Antawn Jamison accounted for 34 of Washington's 40 points in the period. Jamison finished with 29 points, Butler had 20, and the Wizards overcame their persistent defensive and rebounding woes by shooting 52 per cent from the field.

``I'm disappointed we gave up layups again and we got outrebounded again,'' Washington coach Eddie Jordan said. ``We've got a lot of things to work on, but a win is a win.''

Wally Szczerbiak, who left in the first quarter after getting cut near his right eye, returned in the second with stitches and a bandage and finished with 33 points to lead the Celtics, who are 0-3 for the first time since 1994. Szczerbiak single-handedly kept Boston in the game, scoring 10 of his team's last 14 points in the first half and 10 of its first 11 in the second half.

``We've got to get off this schneid, boy, I'll tell ya,'' Szczerbiak said. ``That's three close, tough losses and we've got to start making these go our way. We're a young team and we've got to develop a winning attitude.''

The Celtics rallied to pull within five in the fourth quarter on Sebastian Telfair's three-pointer with 1:06 to play, but that was Boston's last field goal. Butler answered with a fadeaway in the paint, and the Wizards made three free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Telfair, who struggled in Boston's first two games, scored 24 points. Paul Pierce added 23, but 13 of those came in the first quarter.

The Celtics shot well from the field (53 per cent) and had a 43-28 rebounding advantage, but they were undone by 23 turnovers that led to 29 Wizards points. Boston committed seven turnovers in the pivotal third quarter, when the Wizards had none.

``We gave them points off of turnovers,'' Rivers said. ``That was the difference.''

Arenas donned his wizard-boxer attire during the laser-enhanced pre-game introductions that have become a regular feature of the Wizards' first home game. He discarded the robe with much fanfare at midcourt, and new backcourt teammate DeShawn Stevenson announced to the crowd: ``We've got two goals in our minds: Make it to the Eastern Conference final and make it to the NBA final.''

``I think he lit a fire under himself,'' Wizards guard Antonio Daniels said. ``It's very tough to keep Gilbert down.''

Bobcats 92, Cavaliers 88

At Charlotte, N.C., Raymond Felton scored 23 points to lead the Charlotte Bobcats to a victory over Cleveland, their first win over the Cavaliers in eight tries.

___

Pacers 109, Knicks 95

At New York, Al Harrington snapped out of an early slump with 32 points, and Indiana sent the Knicks to their fifth straight home-opening loss.

___

Pistons 95, Grizzlies 86

At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton had 24 points and five players scored in double figures in Detroit's win over Memphis.

___

Rockets 107, Mavericks 76

At Houston, Yao Ming scored 36 points and Rafer Alston had 14 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds to help the Rockets trounce Dallas in their home opener.

___

Bucks 104, Kings 91

At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 26 points, Charlie Villanueva had 25 and the Bucks beat Sacramento to win their home opener.

___

Jazz 106, Warriors 82

At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer had 17 points and 14 rebounds for his third double-double in as many games this season, helping the Jazz remain unbeaten after beating Golden State.

___

Trail Blazers 88, Timberwolves 86

At Portland, Ore., Juan Dixon made a three-pointer with 6.2 seconds left to lift the Trail Blazers to the win in their home opener.

___

Clippers 114, Suns 108

At Los Angeles, reserve Corey Maggette had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Clippers to victory over Phoenix.