Celtics start preseason with loss in Turkey, 97-91

Boston Celtic forward Jared Sullinger (7) records a radio promo during media day at the NBA basketball team’s training center in Waltham, Mass., Friday, Sept. 28, 2012. AP Photo/Stephan Savoia

ISTANBUL — The Boston Celtics lost the first game of the NBA’s preseason Friday, 97-91 to Turkish team Fenerbahce Ulker.

First-round draft pick Jared Sullinger and Jeff Green scored 16 points each, but the Celtics paid the price for a weak second quarter, getting outscored 29-18.

Rajon Rondo had 13 points and nine assists, while Jason Terry, one of a handful of new players on the roster, scored 12.

However, 25 turnovers showed there’s work to be done before the Celtics’ next exhibition game Sunday in Milan, against Emporio Armani.

The team returns to Boston on Monday and resumes practice on Oct. 11 before playing its first U.S. preseason game against the Knicks in Hartford, Conn., two days later.