BOSTON (AP) _ David Wesley scored 24 points and Eddie Jones added 21 as the Charlotte Hornets held off a fourth-quarter rally Wednesday night and beat the Boston Celtics 110-103 in the exhibition opener for both teams.

The Celtics announced a crowd of 13,863, but it appeared that far fewer were in attendance _ most of whom headed for the exits by halftime to find a television and watch the Red Sox-Yankees opening game in the American League playoffs.

Anthony Mason, who had nine points, a game-high 12 rebounds and five assists, capped a 9-4 run with 3:49 left in the third quarter to give Charlotte an 80-55 lead, its biggest of the game.

Eric Williams then scored 10 of his team-best 17 points to lead a Celtics charge that cut the lead to 87-78 with 8:38 left.

Charlotte rookie Eddie Robinson, who had 14 points off the bench, hit a jumper to start an 8-4 run that restored a 13-point lead.

Elden Campbell's 15 points gave the Hornets four players in double figures as they made 33 of 69 shots from the floor to go with 39 of 58 from the free throw line.

Antoine Walker and Tony Battie scored 15 points each for the Celtics, while Kenny Anderson contributed 13 and Paul Pierce 12.

The Celtics outrebounded the Hornets 53-40.