BOSTON (AP) – Richard Jefferson scored 23 points and Eric Williams added 14 to lead the New Jersey Nets past the Boston Celtics 96-83 in a preseason game on Friday night.

The Celtics played without Paul Pierce, who mildly sprained his left ankle against Chicago on Tuesday night. He went through a regular workout Friday afternoon, but took the night off to rest his sore ankle. The Celtics expect Pierce to be ready for Saturday’s game against Cleveland at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn.

Ricky Davis led the Celtics with 16 points. Rookie Tony Allen added 12 points and six rebounds.

The Celtics announced during the game that they have moved the start time for Wednesday night’s final preseason game at home against Detroit to 6 p.m. to avoid a conflict with Game 4 of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox.

AP-ES-10-22-04 2220EDT