The 15 points scored by Vin Baker in the opener were one shy of his season high last year.

BOSTON (AP) – Vin Baker took the pass under the basket, faked right and then muscled his way past Miami’s Brian Grant for a layup. It was the first basket of the season for the Boston Celtics and, they hope, a sign of things to come.

After the worst year – personally and professionally – of his life, Baker is hoping to regain the form that made him an Olympic Dream Teamer and a four-time All-Star. He got off to a good start on opening night, scoring 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting and adding five rebounds as Boston beat the Miami Heat 98-75.

“It was like a dream come true,” Baker said after practice on Thursday, the day after the opener. “Last night was the best night I’ve had as a pro. … I couldn’t have scripted it any better.”

Baker has had other good nights as a pro, but they have grown increasingly distant as his numbers dropped and his personal problems took over his life. In February, he accepted a suspension from the team and checked himself into rehab for alcoholism while his teammates advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

At the time, it was widely speculated that he would never return to the Celtics; the only question was whether the team would make him sit for three years to collect the $44 million left on his contract.

But Baker dried out and returned to the team this fall, slimmer and quicker. Basketball boss Danny Ainge pronounced him the best low-post player on the team and coach Jim O’Brien inserted him in the starting lineup for the opener – something he did just nine times all of last season.

It was just one game, but Baker’s 15 points on Wednesday night was one shy of his season high for the 2002-03 season.

“I feel as good as you can feel about a player,” O’Brien said. “Having a strong game, knowing what he has gone through and how he has dealt with adversity, it’s very pleasing to me.”

O’Brien said he began to believe that Baker would be able to come back after visiting him at the rehab facility over the summer.

“We had a talk right then and he was already talking about (Wednesday night), when he could get back,” O’Brien said after the game. “He admitted his difficulties and he said, basically, ‘You can count on me for next year. This is all going to be behind me.’

“So, yeah, I’m very, very proud of Vin Baker, and happy for him and his family.”

Baker received a solid ovation when the starting lineups were announced on Wednesday night.

But the cheers were even bigger when he left the game; he got a standing ovation when he came out in the final minutes, the victory in hand.

“It was amazing to be a part of it,” Baker said. “I’m so appreciative of the fans of Boston for last night. It’s a night I won’t forget for the rest of my career.”

Baker knows that Boston fans aren’t always so gracious. He said he kept his mind on his work on the court instead of worrying about how he would be received when he returned.

Ainge said he was never concerned about the reception Baker would get.

“Vin has been responsible and accountable for things he has done. I don’t know what else you can ask from him,” Ainge said. “It was wonderful to see somebody that put in the hard work be rewarded. Now he can just move forward and play.”