BOSTON - The Celtics' defense is strangling the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Celtics are now up big in the third quarter, 56-38, and really bothering the Cavs with their defense. Boston trailed 24-17 after the first quarter but dominated the next 12 minutes by blitzing the Cavs, 27-12. Cleveland shot 2-for-17 in the quarter.
Boston's bench did much of the first half damage with Leon Powe and Sam Cassell scoring 9 points apiece. LeBron James is struggling again. Big Time. The NBA's leading scorer had 11 points at the half but was 3-of-13 from the field with three turnovers. He simply cannot hit an open jump shot.
The Cavs' Ben Wallace left the game after only 3:40 with a case of dizzyness. He has not returned.
Update: 3 minutes left in the third quarter: Boston is up, 63-46.
NEW YORK (AP) - Kobe Bryant added another honor Thursday to go with his MVP award, becoming the only unanimous selection to the All-NBA team.
The Lakers star was voted to the first team for the third straight season and fifth time in his career. He led Los Angeles to the best record in the Western Conference and was presented with the MVP trophy Wednesday before helping the Lakers to a 120-110 victory over Utah in Game 2 of the conference semifinals.
Joining Bryant on the first team were New Orleans guard Chris Paul, who was three votes shy of being a unanimous pick, along with Boston's Kevin Garnett, Cleveland's LeBron James and Orlando center Dwight Howard.
Garnett was a first-team pick for the fourth time and James made his second appearance. Paul and Howard were first-timers.
Voting was done by a panel of 127 sports writers and broadcasters, with points being awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash of Phoenix were voted to the second team along with San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Utah guard Deron Williams and Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki. The third team consisted of Houston's Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, plus Utah's Carlos Boozer, Boston's Paul Pierce and the Spurs' Manu Ginobili, the league's top sixth man.
Projo CeltsTalk with KMac: Will LeBron strike back?
Click the play button below to hear Kevin McNamara preview tonight's Celtics-Cavaliers Game Two. The topics: Cleveland should feel better about Game One than Boston, the NBA must have been cringing on Tuesday, getting Ray Allen back on the scoreboard might be easier than getting Pierce there, and Sam Cassell's Game One contribution.
BOSTON (AP) - LeBron James says the rest of the series between his Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics won't look anything like the first game.
James says he won't miss 16 of 18 shots or commit 10 turnovers. And he says don't expect Celtics Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to struggle, as they did in Boston's 76-72 win Tuesday.
James added that one thing that won't change is the physical defense both teams played, which essentially shut down him, Pierce and Allen.
James said he thought Cleveland played pretty well, but their shots weren't falling.
Cleveland coach Mike Brown said the Cavaliers must improve their ball movement and more aggressively drive to the basket.
After his team went the distance with Celtics, Hawks GM will resign
ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta Hawks general manager Billy Knight is stepping down.
The announcement comes after the Hawks ended a nine-year playoff drought and forced the Boston Celtics to a Game 7 in a first round playoff series that ended Sunday.
He said Wednesday he is resigning from the organization effective July 1.
The 55-year-old Knight spent six years with the organization. His best season came this year, as the Hawks had a 37-45 regular season record and broke a nine-year playoff drought.
Knight says in a statement he's "leaving the organization in much better shape than it was in when I took over."
It goes on for about six minutes, some of which is pretty hilarious. Here's an excerpt: "Twenty years from now, you're going to see me, riding in a drop-top Hummer, butt-naked, with some ankle socks on, and a headband -- Boston Celtics headband -- standing up driving, from Boston to California."
Projo CeltsTalk with KMac: Previewing the Cavaliers series
Click the play button below to hear Kevin McNamara discuss the Celtics' Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. How would Kevin draw up a plan to slow LeBron James? Did the Cavaliers make themselves better with their big midseason trade? How do the C's attack the Cleveland defense?
Projo CeltsTalk with KMac: Hawks finished, finally
Click the play button below to hear Kevin McNamara discuss the Celtics, who finally disposed of the Atlanta Hawks and now face a series with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Do we feel better about this team because of its emphatic Game Seven victory? What edge does Cleveland take from its extra two days of rest? Did the officials help the Hawks out? And will Paul Pierce stop tossing his headband around and grow up?
BOSTON - The Celtics just finished a stirring 99-65 beat down of the Atlanta Hawks to win Game Seven of their first round playoff series.
Boston will host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the next round Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Garden. A limited amount of tickets for both games will go on sale today at 5p.m.
The Celtics dominated this one from the opening tip and rolled easily. They led 44-26 at the half after holding the Hawks to 10 second quarter points. Paul Pierce led five double figure scorers for the Celts with 22 points. Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 11 rebounds while Kendrick Perkins had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
It's halftime at the Garden and the Celtics are smoking the Atlanta Hawks, 44-26. It's hard to see the visitors having enough in the tank to mount a comeback in this Game Seven.
The Hawks have alternated between patsies in Boston and world-beaters at home and that scenario has played out again today. The Hawks are shooting 26 percent in the half and trailed by as much as 19 points and scored a measly 10 second quarter points.
The 26 first half points are the fewest allowed by the Celtics in a half in their long playoff history. The previous low was 27 points by Philadelphia in 1982.
In case you're wondering, the Celtics are a half away from advancing to the Eastern Conference semis against Cleveland. The Cavs and Celts split four games this season with each team winning two apiece at home.
Game 1 would be Tuesday at 8p.m. in Boston. Game 2 would come Thursday at 7pm. The series then shifts to Cleveland Saturday and next Monday.
ATLANTA – The Hawks may be younger and more athletic than the Celtics at some positions, but nothing can explain the massive disparity at the free-throw line in the Hawks’ favor in this series.
Last night’s free-throw numbers were downright grizzly. The Hawks made more free throws (36) than the Celtics attempted (25). Atlanta finished 36-of-47 from the line while Boston settled for 20 makes in 25 attempts.
"Them shooting 47 free throws to us shooting 25 makes that a tough game to win," said Doc Rivers. "It’s tough that we scored 100 points in a game and didn’t win."
With the Game Six parade to the line included, the Hawks have outscored the Celtics 161-102 from the free-throw line. They’ve attempted 204 to Boston’s 133.
"We’re bailing them out late in the (shot) clock and that kills you," said Rivers. "You have 20 seconds of great defense and give it up by a reach or cheap foul. We can’t bail them out like that."
Boston was whistled for 33 fouls to 23 for the Hawks, but Kevin Garnett says the Celtics cannot blame the referees for the excessive foul calls.
"We’re here on the road. It’s the playoffs so you don’t expect to get any calls on the road. You make do with what you’ve got. But at the same time with five minutes to go we had our chances to get back in the game but we just couldn’t turn the corner."
PIERCE LOSES COOL
Paul Pierce lost his cool when he fouled out at the 4:44 mark and the Celtics down by six points. As Josh Childress scored over Garnett inside, Pierce apparently pushed Zaza Pachulia and was called for the foul away from the ball.
Pierce could not believe the call and he walked off in disgust. But before he left the floor, he threw his headband to the court and was slapped with a technical foul by Bob Delaney. Rivers was not happy that Pierce lost his cool.
"I was disturbed by it because we should never get a fourth-quarter technical. That’s a team rule. You can’t make those up," said Rivers.
Rivers protested the call but said, "Paul threw his headband. Bob said that’s an automatic (call). He said he had to. It’s a league rule. We know that."
KG SAYS CELTS STILL CONFIDENT
Garnett said the Celtics will be ready for a Game Seven on Sunday at the Garden. The Hawks were so happy with the win they could fly themselves to Boston but the Celts say they’re not deflated.
"This is it. It’s for all the marbles," Garnett said. "Our confidence is definitely not shaken."
Rivers said despite the Celts rolling the Hawks three times back in Boston, he’s not taking anything for granted.
"We feel good all the time at home but like I said after Game Five, we can’t hang our hat on just being home," he said
BENCH CHIPPING IN
While the Celtics live and die with the exploits of their new Big Three, it’s clear that the team’s unheralded bench corps carries a lot of weight in the playoffs.
When the Celtics’ bench plays well, the offense has overpowered the Atlanta Hawks. When the bench doesn’t show up, the Hawks spring upsets.
In last night’s Game Six, the bench played well but it still wasn’t enough to prevent a 103-100 loss. The bench players contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds but could not help shut the door on the Hawks. James Posey was the top bench player with two big 3-pointers and seven rebounds.
The bench’s offensive output played a key role through the first five games of the series. In Games One (36 points), Two (28) and Five (35), Boston’s reserves were extremely productive as the Celts rolled to big wins. More importantly, the star of the night was a different player every game. Sam Cassell reached double figures in all three games with a 13-point outing in the fifth game his highest output. Leon Powe, Posey and even Glen Davis have all provided big lifts when they’ve entered the game.
"We don’t need them all. Just one or two," Rivers said of his bench group. "Our bench has played well all season."
The bench failed to do much in the Hawks’ first two wins in the series. The group combined for 11 points in Game Three and 13 in the fourth game.
Cassell said playing time is his biggest obstacle. He credited Rajon Rondo with playing so well that his minutes have been limited.
"Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity," Cassell said before last night’s game.
Opportunity knocked for Cassell last night. Rondo picked up two first-quarter fouls and Cassell was tapped to run the offense in his place for long stretches of the first half. Cassell finished shooting 2-of-8 for four points.
HORSE TALK
Rondo is a proud son of the city of Louisville and no one knows better than him that his hometown will be the center of the sporting universe today. Rondo lives a few blocks from Churchhill Downs, but he’s never seen a Kentucky Derby.
"I lived three blocks from Churchhill. I’ve been there plenty of times but never the Derby. Too crazy," he said.
Asked which horse he likes in today’s race, Rondo said he hasn’t had time to handicap the race. "I don’t even know who’s in it this year," he said.
Man sentenced to prison for plot to murder stepfather of Celtics' Ray Allen
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (AP)- A Southington psychologist was sentenced Friday to 33 years in prison for conspiring to murder a fellow psychologist, the stepfather of NBA star Ray Allen.
Ernest Garlington, 39, was convicted last year in a murder-for-hire plot against Derek Hopson, the ex-husband of Garlington's wife. Hopson is now married to Flora Allen-Hopson, the mother of Allen, a guard for the Boston Celtics.
Hopson escaped injury when shots were fired at him in 2003 outside the Middletown clinic where he worked, where he also was beaten with a golf club less than a year earlier. Prosecutors say Garlington arranged the assaults because he thought Hopson was bothering his wife.
Garlington was convicted in November on charges including conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree assault. He was sentenced Friday in Middlesex Superior Court.
"He's a very dangerous man, calculating, cunning, with no remorse," Hopson said of Garlington during Friday's sentencing.
Garlington's lawyer, Jeffrey Denner, said he will appeal.
"God bless you. Jesus be with you all," Garlington said as court marshals led him away after the sentencing.
One of Garlington's alleged co-conspirators, Willie Foote, testified during the trial that Garlington offered $1,500 for the 2002 beating. He also said Garlington, after the beating, offered $30,000 for the killing of Hopson.
The shooter in the 2003 incident, Robbie Santos of Waterbury, was convicted and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Hopson's ex-wife married Garlington soon after she and Hopson divorced in 2001. Hopson married Allen-Hopson in 2003, nine days after the attempted shooting.
Ray Allen, who played his college ball at the University of Connecticut, told The Associated Press two years ago that his main concern was his family's safety.
"Her husband is someone she loves, she enjoys," he said at the time. "Unfortunately, he came from a situation before that that had some baggage and that's pretty much all the problem."
Ray Allen did not attend Friday's sentencing. He was in Atlanta for Game 6 of the NBA's first-round playoff series between the Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks.
Click the play button below to hear Kevin McNamara preview tonight's Game Six showdown in Atlanta. Did Boston turn a corner in Game Five? Do the Hawks have any concept of how to win on the road? Have the Celtics forgotten the same? And can Paul Pierce continue to be his fired-up self?
Celtics star Paul Pierce has issued a statement tonight in response to the $25,000 fine that the NBA levied against him on Monday night in regards to an incident that occurred during Game 3 of the Boston-Atlanta series.
Pierce was slapped with a fine for making what the league termed ``making a menacing gesture,'' towards Hawks’ center Al Horford late in the game Saturday night.
Here is the text of Pierce’ s statement:
“I don’t want to take the focus away from the playoffs. In sports, emotions run high. After playing for 10 years in Boston, I think Celtics fans know that I am a passionate player.
I one hundred percent do not in any way promote gang violence or anything close to it. I am sorry if it was misinterpreted that way at Saturday’s game.
In fact, through my Truth Foundation I am committed to giving back to youth groups and making sure young people have the opportunities to succeed in life. I am extremely proud of the work I have done through the foundation to provide positive influences and safe havens for inner-city kids.”
Dallas bowed out of the playoffs quietly last night at the hands of the New Orleans Hornets. For more on this story, may we recommend the site of the Dallas Morning News.
Projo CeltsTalk with KMac: 2-to-2, but the Celtics are really behind
Click the play button below to hear Kevin McNamara discuss what the Celtics need to do tonight, how they are going to defend Joe Johnson, why Josh Smith is a future All-Star, and Sam Cassell's inability to play defense.
David Stern was courtside in Atlanta, taking in the game and making sure no one was flashing any signs not officially approved by the NBA.
Stern did his job well because there wasn't a gangsta moment all night, unless you count the mugging Joe Johnson and the Hawks gave the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter of a series that by all accounts was supposed to be over by now.
Depending on whose side you're on, the fact that it's not either says something about the unpredictability of a league where anything can happen or the silliness of having a team that couldn't come close to winning half its games in the regular season even being allowed into the playoffs against the team with the best record in the NBA.
Sure, the Celtics will likely prevail by the time it is all over, if only because home-court advantage means so much and two of the final three games will be played in Boston. The Hawks won only 12 games on the road during the regular season, so their chances of stealing one in the playoffs aren't all that good, even with the momentum on their side.
Still, the worst team in the playoffs is giving Boston fits, which outside of Atlanta is a huge buzz killer for a postseason that so far hasn't lived up to the lofty expectations that most everyone had coming in.
"Basketball is a strange thing," Boston's Sam Cassell said. "Strange things happen."
Strange things do happen, but usually the great teams find a way to overcome them. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers must have thought it was strange that the Denver Nuggets actually came to play after rolling over in the second half of their game a few nights earlier, but that didn't stop Los Angeles from completing an easy four-game sweep.
While the Celtics are struggling with a team that wouldn't have sniffed the playoffs had it been in the West, the Lakers dominated a team that won 50 games in the regular season and had a pair of superstars in Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson. In doing so, they put to rest the theory that any playoff team in the Western Conference could beat any other team.
That's largely because the Lakers have Bryant, who will likely finally win the MVP award this year that has always somehow eluded him. Bryant finally has a big man to complete him once again, but it was he, not Pau Gasol, who took over at the end of the game to make sure the Nuggets didn't steal one.
"He just exploded at the end of the game," Anthony said. "It's something he always does."
Bryant and the Lakers looked just like what they were supposed to be - the No. 1 team in the conference and the favorite to still be standing when the playoffs mercifully end many weeks from now. They took care of business with cool efficiency, and will now be able to go home and spend some time resting up for either Utah or Houston.
The Celtics won't have that luxury. They have at least two more games against the lowly Hawks, games they should never have had to play, and have accomplished nothing so far other than to make a long season even longer.
They may still emerge from the East to play in the finals, but it no longer seems the certainty it did after the Celtics finished the regular season with a league leading 66 wins. While Bryant can carry his team seemingly whenever needed, Kevin Garnett made it past the first round of the playoffs only once in eight attempts with Minnesota.
Garnett, of course, never had the supporting cast he now has with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, but teams of destiny don't lose one first round game to the likes of the Hawks, much less two in a row.
"We've got to find us real quick," Cassell said. "We've got to find our team identity, our team chemistry, we've got to find all that real quick."
Boston coach Doc Rivers didn't seem all that worried about his team's ability to recover its swagger. Someone noted that the Red Sox had lost five in a row and wondered what Rivers would tell people who might be thinking of jumping off a bridge in despair over the twin losing streaks.
"Don't jump," Rivers said, chuckling.
Good advice, because the Celtics will be back home Wednesday night and should again look like the team that won the first two games of the series by an average of 21 points. They're so talented that Vegas oddsmakers had them a nine-point favorite on the road against Atlanta, and a blowout wouldn't be surprising.
The Celtics are still likely to run the table and hold up their part of the bargain for the dream matchup in the finals against the Lakers that would send television ratings through the roof. Their ill-timed stumble aside, they're still by far the best team in the East.
But so far they're making it a lot harder on themselves than they should.
Paul Pierce is $25,000 lighter in his wallet tonight. The NBA just fined Pierce 25K for ``making a menacing gesture'' during the fourth quarter of Saturday night's Game 3 loss in Atlanta. The gesture, known as `The B' and a common sign in the gang culture, came in the final minute when the Hawks' Al Horford walked by Pierce, who was sprawled on the floor, and woofed at the Celtics' captain. Pierce stared down Horford, flashed the non-descript sign and was then pulled away by Brian Scalabrine. The scene is now being shown on YouTube.
We'll see if Pierce elaborates on the gesture before tonight's Game 4.
Projo Celts Talk with KMac: Celtics look to bounce back in Game Four
Click the play button below to hear Kevin McNamara discuss the Atlanta Hawks' surprising Game Three victory, how the two teams are reacting to it, what Doc Rivers will do to correct the mismatches that we saw on Saturday, and the other series in the Eastern Conference.
Celtics Game Five start time depends on Lakers-Nuggets result
The Celtics will host the Atlanta Hawks in Game Five of their Eastern Conference playoff series on Wednesday night, that much we know. But the start time will depend on tonight's result in Game Four of the Western Conference series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. If the Lakers win and complete the sweep, the Celts and the Hawks will tip off around 8:30 Wednesday night. If Denver forces a Game Five, then the start time in Boston moves up to 8.
ATLANTA – It’s never easy to win on the road in the NBA but the Celtics faced a little extra hardship in last night’s playoff game with the Hawks.
The shot clock at Philips Arena inexplicably broke down during halftime. The third quarter and the majority of the fourth were played without a shot clock or even temporary clocks anywhere on the court. The clock was kept at the scorer’s table and whenever it crept under 10 seconds, the public address announcer would wind down the time verbally.
Needless to say, the lack of a clock hindered both teams. The Celtics looked especially jumpy with too many offensive sets ending with jump shots, many of which were contested.
“If you don’t know what’s on the (shot) clock, it’s hard to run out your sets,” said Boston point guard Rajon Rondo. “We might be able to go to a second or third look late in the clock but that was harder.”
Rondo noted that the Celtics shot poorly in the second half – 24 percent in the third quarter – and that may have been linked to the shot clock. “We settled for jump shots,” he said. “We did that the last game too but we made them. Tonight we didn’t.”
ATLANTA AWAKENS FOR BASKETBALL
Perhaps more than any other sport, home court is a decided advantage in basketball. That theory proved to be gospel against last night at Philips Arena.
The Celts built a 31-10 record on the road during the regular season and came to Atlanta this weekend determined to keep those winning ways going in the playoffs. The team flew to town Friday afternoon, enjoyed a team dinner at its hotel and then prepared to build on a 2-0 series lead over the Hawks.
“I think we really get up for the road,” said Paul Pierce. “We come together a little bit more than we do at home because you have to. You have to have a lot more energy on the road and a better focus. That’s the reason we’re one of the better road teams.”
But the Hawks had other ideas. Playing their first home playoff game in nine years, the Hawks pulled off an exciting, highlight-filled upset that thrilled the Atlanta fans. After prodding from the local press, Hawks fans nearly filled Philips Arena last night for the franchise’s first playoff game in nine years. Several thousand tickets remain available for Monday’s Game Four. As is usually the case when they hit the road, large pockets of the crowd last night was adorned in Celtic green.
“I wanted to give the city of Atlanta something to be proud about and cheer about. That’s what we did,” said Josh Smith, an Atlanta native.
DOC NOT HAPPY
Doc Rivers was not happy with his team's effort, for obvious reasons. The Celtics were beaten down the floor repeatedly by the Hawks, especially the high-flying Josh Smith. Boston was also out-rebounded by Atlanta.
"This is a disappointing loss," said Rivers. "I thought the Hawks played harder most of the night than we did. They got to the offensive glass and got to the loose balls. I thought we rushed ourselves offensively, which is not something you want to do in a playoff game."
Rivers added that the Celtics' team-first mentality did not show through tonight.
"We took a lot of quick, contested shots and that's not who we are," he said. "We didn;t try to win the game collectively. Everyone was trying to win the game individually. You have to play as a group."
NO 3'S FOR KG
Kevin Garnett hit his first 3-pointer of the season (0-for-11) in Game Two. He knocked home the shot at the end of the 24-second clock but he says he’s not about to take the long-range bombing duties away from Allen and Pierce.
“Not at all,” Garnett said with a smile. “There’s no way I give up that block down there for the 3-point shot. You can all have that 3-point shot.”
But Garnett will not purposely pass up an open 3-pointer. “Unless it’s needed. I’ve never seen a shot I didn’t like but I’m not oblivious to my strengths,” he said.
CELTS IN GOOD SHAPE
The Celtics are in excellent physical shape considering that they’ve played through a long season and they realize that continued good health is a key for any team that’s poised to make a deep playoff run
“For going into the third playoff game, we’re a very healthy team. We have to keep that up,” said Rivers.
The space in between playoff games helps ease the physical load on teams this time of the season. Paul Pierce, for example, went down hard in Game Two but his sore back was reported to be in strong shape after two full days of rest.
“We’re not a young team so in some ways it probably doesn’t hurt us but I would rather have the rhythm of playing. And clearly they’re tired of us,” said Rivers.
DRIBBLES
A limited number of tickets for Game Five Wednesday night in Boston will go on sale this morning at 11 a.m. The time of the game will be announced sometime today…The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported yesterday that Hawks’ coach Mike Woodson purchased 45 tickets for cleaning and support staff at Philips Arena. Woodson felt the workers deserved the night out after a long season of work...Rivers was clearly disappointed that Sam Vincent was let go as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. “I’m flabbergasted that Sam’s not there. Guy’s been there one year with all the injuries they’ve had? I don’t get that,” he said…Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played at Philips Arena on Friday night. The Celtics arrived in town in the late afternoon and the only player who snuck out to the show was Scott Pollard. A noted heavy metal fan, Pollard supposedly left the show after just a few songs.
WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) - Boston Celtics swingman Paul Pierce is ready for Game 3 of the playoff series against Atlanta, despite being body-slammed to the floor in the first quarter of Wednesday night's win.
Pierce had no problems in practice Friday before the Celtics headed to the airport for Saturday's game.
Coach Doc River says the training staff has placed no restrictions on Pierce, who returned later in the first half of Wednesday's 96-77 victory over the Hawks.
Pierce says he was stiff after returning to the game and on Thursday. But he got a massage, stayed off his feet and is ready to go.
Celtics hold a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Celtics Will Honor P-Bruins Goalie Jordan Sigalet Tonight
BOSTON -- Providence Bruins goalie Jordan Sigalet will be honored tonight as a Boston Celtics Hero Among Us.
When Sigalet was 23, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease which affects the central nervous system and haunts over 400,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide.
During a game on Nov. 16, his body completely shut down in response to the MS. Sigalet refused to let that be the end of his career, and through his unparalleled determination and positive attitude, he made a stunning recovery and was back on the ice in less than two months.
Sigalet has dedicated himself to inspiring others with MS to never give up and has founded the "Sigalet Saves for MS" Foundation.
Click the play button below to hear Kevin McNamara discuss the latest on the Celtics: Does Atlanta have anything to hold on to from Game 1, Doc Rivers as a Coach of the Year candidate, and Kevin Garnett's Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Celtics’ Kevin Garnett is the recipient of the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year Award, the team announced today.
Garnett led the Celtics in rebounds with a 9.2 average and also averaged 18.8 points, 1.2 blocks and 1.4 steals. Garnett received 493 points, including 90 first-place votes, from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Denver's Marcus Camby, who won the award last season, finished second with 178 points and Houston's Shane Battier finished third with 175 points
Garnett helped the Celtics to league-best record of 66-16 and led a defense that held opponents to just 90.3 points (second in the NBA) after allowing 99.2 points per game a season ago. The defensive improvement was a major reason why the Celtics enjoyed biggest one-year turnaround in NBA history as the team won 42 more games this season than in 2006-07 (24-58).
Kia Motors, the sponsor of the award, will donate a new 2009 Kia Borrego seven-passenger SUV on behalf of Garnett to Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Garnett’s chosen charity.
BOSTON (AP) — One of the few spots at which the Hawks seemed to have an edge over the Boston Celtics was point guard, where Atlanta starts Mike Bibby.
After the way Rajon Rondo played in the first playoff game of his career, even that may be in doubt.
The speedy Rondo had 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds in Boston’s 104-81 win Sunday night. Bibby, a 10-year veteran with 51 playoff games before this season, managed just five points, one assist and three rebounds. And he played six more minutes than Rondo.
Before the series, Boston coach Doc Rivers delivered a message to all his players: “Be a star in your role. That’s the way you can help us,” he recalled Monday.
That’s what Rondo did in the opener of the best-of-seven series that resumes Wednesday in Boston.
The Celtics’ 66-16 record was the best in the NBA. The Hawks won 29 fewer games but improved after they obtained Bibby from Sacramento on Feb. 16. Still, they’re huge underdogs in the series after finishing eight games under .500 at 37-45.
Rondo progressed as a leader who could get the ball to Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen and has continued that in the playoffs.
“I was pretty comfortable,” he said. “I didn’t really get nervous; I tried to approach it like a regular season (game), but I knew the intensity would be a lot higher and the crowd would be a lot better.”
Rondo was one of the few young players the Celtics kept after they sent four of them to Minnesota in a 7-for-1 trade for Garnett last summer. He’s getting plenty of guidance from the veterans.
Before the series, Garnett, Pierce and Allen gave him some advice, and it certainly didn’t hurt.
“I thought he was very poised,” Garnett said of Sunday’s win. “I think the second half of the season he has been a lot more accepting of his role, a lot more of a general and, in a sense, more of a leader.
“I don’t know what it is that clicked, but he has been playing tremendous. You can see the maturity over the process of the season.”
Rondo came to the Celtics from Kentucky with a reputation as an outstanding ballhandler and defender with a questionable shot. But he went 6-for-9 from the field in the opener.
“My teammates have been telling me all year to shoot the ball,” he said.
Rondo had two steals and no turnovers in the first game, while Bibby had two turnovers and no steals. He also went just 2-of-10 from the field.
Josh Smith, who finished with six points, said he and Bibby discussed their offensive problems.
“We only had 11 points combined,” Smith said. “We’re not going to win too many games without both of us being able to perform at our highest level.”
The 21st pick of the 2006 draft, Rondo finished fourth on the Celtics with 10.6 points this season after averaging 6.4 in 78 games as a rookie. He started 25 games as a rookie and all 77 in which he played this season.
He did have some postseason experience in college, going to the NCAAs in both his seasons. As a freshman, he scored in double figures in all three tournament games.
Now he’s done that in his only NBA playoff game.
“He just kept it ticking like he had been playing the playoffs many years,” Allen said. “The situation wasn’t too big for him. He came out and he did what he needed to do to direct this team.”
BOSTON – It’s been three long years for Kevin Garnett to feel the excitement of playoff basketball once again and the Celtics big man certainly enjoyed it.
After shaking off some early foul trouble, Garnett was his usual dominant self for Boston as he contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to his team’s 104-81 throttling of the Atlanta Hawks Sunday night. Garnett thrives on emotion and he clearly relished the start of the post-season.
“It felt good,” Garnett said. “I had so much emotion that I had to slow down running through the tunnel. I could hear the crowd, the building was rocking, the bleachers were shaking. I had to take a minute for myself and thank the Lord I’m back in this position. I’m going to enjoy this ride for as long as I can. Coming through that tunnel, it was a rush.”
The Celtics all enjoyed the same rush. Some pre-game pyrotechnics that accompanied the introduction of the starting five got the crowd flying high and that emotion stayed high most of the night. Several Red Sox players were in the crowd, including David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia.
“You know, it’s funny but it’s rare when you can hear the fans in the locker room when the team runs out,” said coach Doc Rivers. “Today you actually could. They were fantastic.”
Bench comes through
Early foul trouble to both Garnett and Pierce led Rivers to go to his bench sooner than he’d like. Leon Powe was the sixth man and veteran big man P.J. Brown saw early action as well. Powe continued his strong late-season play and finished with 10 points. Veteran guard Sam Cassell also had 10 and James Posey added eight points.
“We had to stretch (the bench) a little more than we wanted to,” said Rivers. “The good news is when Kevin went out, we stretched the lead a little bit. That’s good but that’s nothing we can lean on.”
After a big dunk by Powe late in the game, Garnett greeted the big forward with some power shots to his chest. Garnett said he wasn’t worried about inflicting any harm.
“Leon’s a grown man. The shots I was hitting him with he didn’t even feel,” Garnett said. “Those are like high fives to him. It just so happens that he felt them in his chest.”
Look for the adjustments
Playoff basketball is all about adjustments and match-ups. The Hawks clearly need to make some changes, especially on offense. When they’re out and running, the underdogs can be dangerous. Fighting through Boston’s defense in the halfcourt is posing major challenges, however.
“We was settling for a lot of jump shots when we should’ve been driving,” said Joe Johnson. “I mean, KG had three fouls and I think we never put the pressure on them. We settled for jump shots and that hurt us.”
Asked if getting the first-game jitters out of the way will help his team, Johnson said, “yes but I didn’t expect it to be like this though. I’m glad we got it out of the way. I expect Game Two will be a different reaction.”
The Celtics anticipate the same, however.
“You take Game One for what it’s worth,” said Pierce. “Atlanta will make adjustments. They have three days until the next game. That means we’re going to have to make adjustments for some of the things we want to do. You can’t look at Game One as the indicator because a series can get turned around if you get over-confident. It’s a good win but we don’t think we played our best basketball tonight.”
The Celtics insist that they're not worried even as star center Kevin Garnett missed practice again today as the team continues its preparations for the start of the NBA playoffs.
Multiple media reports out of Boston Friday claimed that Garnett missed practice Thursday to be with his pregnant wife, Brandi, for the birth of their child. But when asked today if Garnett is a new father, Celtics coach Doc Rivers answered, “it’s not what you guys think. It’s personal,” said Rivers. “He’s fine. He’ll be over sometime this evening and we’ll go over all the stuff.”
The Celtics practiced for a little more than two hours. Rivers maintained that the rest of the Celtics are working hard in preparation for Sunday’s playoff opener against the Atlanta Hawks, with or without Garnett. “Usually when KG is not participating, our defensive focus and intensity is clearly not the same,” said Rivers. “That wasn’t the case today.”
The Celts hold a final workout Saturday and will host the Atlanta Hawks Sunday night (8:30) in Game One of their playoff series.
Bloomberg: Celtics parlay team's revival into cash
April 18 (Bloomberg) -- The Boston Celtics had no sooner announced the acquisition of All-Star forward Kevin Garnett last July 31 when the National Basketball Associations club's marketers launched a fast-break.
Seemingly within 24 seconds -- the time allotted NBA teams to get off shots -- they were shooting off e-mails and text messages to the 200,000 ticket-buying fans in their database.
"We've got the Big Ticket (Garnett's nickname)," wrote the Celtics. "Time to get yours." Fans who wanted to see Garnett restore the Celts' lost glory -- along with another newcomer, All-Star guard Ray Allen, and holdover sharpshooter Paul Pierce -- had better buy season tickets: "The sky is the limit for this team."
The orders poured in so fast that even between 1 and 6 the morning after the announcement, the team racked up $1 million in online sales. The Celtics grew their season-ticket base 40 percent -- to more than 10,000 -- before cutting off sales to preserve single-game tickets. Those sold out in a day when they went on the market in September.
The Boston Celtics will begin their playoff run on Sunday at 8:30, when they host the Atlanta Hawks for Game 1 of a first-round best-of-seven series. The game will be shown on TNT and Comcast Sports Net. Here is the rest of the schedule (note that the game times for games five through seven, if they are necessary, are yet to be announced):
Game 2: Wednesday at Boston, 8 p.m. (TNT, Comcast Sports Net)
Game 3: Saturday, April 26, at Atlanta, 8 p.m. (ESPN, Comcast Sports Net)
Game 4: Monday, April 28, at Atlanta, 8 p.m. (TNT, Comcast Sports Net)
Game 5: Wednesday, April 30, at Boston
Game 6: Friday, May 2, at Atlanta
Game 7: Sunday, May 4, at Boston
ATLANTA (AP) - For the first time since 1999, the Atlanta Hawks are headed to the NBA playoffs.
The Hawks clinched the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference when the Indiana Pacers, the only other team with a mathematical chance, lost at Washington 117-110 Monday night. The league's longest playoff drought ended with Atlanta enjoying an off day.
"It's huge for our franchise, when you talk about a young team coming together," fourth-year coach Mike Woodson said. "It's huge for the guys that have put in their time and worked hard. We've worked hard to overcome some things as a unit to get this team where it needs to be."
Atlanta's last playoff appearance came during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, when the team finished second in the Central Division with a lineup that featured Dikembe Mutombo, Mookie Blaylock and Steve Smith. The Hawks defeated Detroit in the opening round, but were swept in four straight games by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Press the play button to see a special multimedia presentation by photographer Kris Craig, who put this together while shooting the Celtics at TDBanknorth Garden.
The Boston Celtics' record-setting turnaround is paying off big for Comcast SportsNet, the home network for the NBA's top team. The station reported today that ratings for Celtics telecasts are up 106 percent from last season's numbers.
Through 69 telecasts, Celtics games on Comcast SportsNet are averaging a 3.5 rating (80,500 households), versus a 1.7 rating through 69 games in 2006-07. Ratings have exceeded 5.0 five times this season and have exceeded 4.0 on 24 occasions. Last season, no Celtics game exceeded 3.9.
BOSTON (AP) - For Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics, their tremendous turnaround is not enough.
With 36 more wins than last season, the Celtics are tied with the 1997-98 Spurs for the most single-season progress in NBA history. San Antonio, though, only made it to the second round of the playoffs.
Boston has a bigger goal - winning its first NBA title in 22 years.
OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (AP) - A bank is foreclosing on the Old Saybrook restaurant owned by former NBA star Vin Baker.
TD Banknorth N.A. holds a nearly $1 million mortgage on Vinnie's Saybrook Fish House and claims the restaurant's owner has defaulted on it.
The bank has filed a lawsuit in Middletown Superior Court. Officials say the restaurant has been closed for weeks.
Baker, who grew up in Old Saybrook, played for the University of Hartford before playing in the NBA for 14 years.
Baker has had other problems. He was arrested last June and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Last month he pleaded guilty in Norwich Superior Court to the lesser charge of reckless driving.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Point guard Damon Stoudamire plans to sign with the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night, giving the defending champions another veteran option while Tony Parker nurses a left heel injury.
Stoudamire negotiated a buyout with Memphis earlier this week after falling behind two young players in the rotation. His agent, Aaron Goodwin, said the 34-year-old planned to sign with the Spurs sometime after clearing waivers.
The Spurs declined to comment.
Parker wants to play despite bone spurs in his heel, but coach Gregg Popovich has sidelined him indefinitely, saying the injury is getting worse. Results of an MRI exam were expected to be released Thursday.
The absence of Parker comes at a bad time for the Spurs. They've lost a season-high three straight and just started their annual rodeo road trip, a nine-game trek that made its second stop at Western Conference-leading Phoenix on Thursday night. Seattle ended a 14-game losing streak in the trip's opener.
The Suns were a candidate to land Stoudamire, but the Spurs provided him a larger role.
Stoudamire has averaged 13.8 points and 6.3 assists in his 14-year career. He averaged 7.3 points and 3.9 assists in 29 games for the Grizzlies this season. His last game was Dec. 30 against the Spurs.
The Rookie of the Year for Toronto in 1995-96, Stoudamire averaged a career-high 20.2 points in his second season before getting traded to Portland the following year.
After seven-plus seasons with the Trail Blazers, Stoudamire signed as a free agent with Memphis in 2005. A knee injury ended his first season with the Grizzlies after just two months, and his scoring average hasn't returned to double digits since.
Jacque Vaughn, the Spurs' other true point guard, is averaging 4.1 points and 2.4 assists in 36 games, five of them starts. He played a season-high 37 minutes in the Seattle loss.
Brent Barry and Manu Ginobili also have played the point in Parker's absence.
AP photo / Charles Krupa
Paul Pierce drives past Houston's Bonzi Wells tonight in Boston.
BOSTON (AP) - Kevin Garnett scored 11 of his 26 points in the last seven minutes on Wednesday night, adding nine rebounds to help the Boston Celtics beat the Houston Rockets 97-93 and earn their seventh consecutive victory.
Paul Pierce scored 19 points and assisted on four key baskets down the stretch as the Celtics improved to 27-3 to match the best 30-game start in the shot-clock era. Five other teams have lost just three of their first 30 games, including the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls who finished the season with an NBA-record 72 wins.
Yao Ming had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Rockets, who were without Tracy McGrady for the fourth consecutive game because of a sore left knee. Both Scot Pollard and Kendrick Perkins fouled out trying to guard Yao before Garnett took on the job himself.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Paul Pierce hit a tiebreaking layup with 28 seconds left, then sealed Boston's fifth straight victory with a defensive rebound and two free throws as the Celtics beat the Utah Jazz 104-98 Saturday night.
Pierce was shut out in the first half, then took over the scoring in the final two periods. He had 10 points in the third and another 14 in the fourth to lead Boston to its 14th win in the last 15 games.
Ray Allen scored 23 and Kevin Garnett added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics, who complete a four-game road trip Sunday at the Lakers.
Deron Williams had 22 points and 11 assists, and Carlos Boozer finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Utah.
The Celtics improved to 25-3 and were too strong for the Jazz inside, especially after Pierce woke up in the second half. Pierce finished with six rebounds, also all in the second half, and made 10 of 11 free throws.
Boston outrebounded Utah 41-30, and Garnett and Kendrick Perkins kept the Jazz from developing much inside.
Utah had to rely on outside shooting and eventually lost its touch at the end. Utah finished 40-for-73 from the field, but couldn't make a field goal in the final minute.
Pierce hit a 3-pointer that put the Celtics up 88-80, then added an offensive rebound and a putback to give Boston a 90-82 lead. The Jazz stormed back with an 11-0 run, getting a desperation 3-pointer by Mehmet Okur that banked in as the shot clock expired.
That shot put Utah ahead 91-90 with 5:09 left and led to the back-and-forth finish.
Allen broke a 95-all tie with a 3-pointer, and Boozer hit a jumper with 1:22 left, then a free throw with 43 seconds remaining to tie it at 98. The Celtics had plenty of time, but Pierce got Ronnie Brewer off balance and drove for an easy layup to break the tie.
C.J. Miles tried to put Utah back up with a 3-pointer, but it bounced high off the rim and Pierce grabbed the rebound and drew a quick foul. Pierce made both free throws and the Celtics added a steal and layup just before the buzzer.
Notes: Miles was starting for Andrei Kirilenko (biceps) and finished with 11 points. ... Both teams finished with 12 turnovers. Rajon Rondo had seven assists for the Celtics and Tony Allen scored 10 points off the bench. ... Matt Harpring added 11 points and Paul Millsap scored 10 for the Jazz.
Celtics lose showdown on foul shots with .1 second left
AP photo / Elise Amendola
Chauncey Billups drives on Rajon Rondo during the first half tonight in Boston.
BOSTON (AP) Chauncey Billups hit two free throws with a tenth of a second left and the Detroit Pistons handed the Celtics their first home loss of the season, 87-85 on Wednesday night.
The Celtics (20-3) had matched their best start ever, also achieved by the 1963-64 team that eventually won the NBA title. Boston had won its first 12 home games, its most since a club-record 17 by the 1957-58 squad.
Billups, who scored 12 of his team-high 28 points in the final quarter, was fouled by Tony Allen. On the previous possession, Billups' turnover gave the Celtics a chance to grab the lead.
Richard Hamilton added 21 points for Detroit in a matchup of the Eastern Conference's top teams.
Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 26 points, and Ray Allen, who returned after missing the last two games because of a sore right ankle, had 24, including a tying 3-pointer with 18.9 seconds to play.
The Pistons held a 85-79 lead after Billups' fallaway jumper with 3:34 to play, but Eddie House and Ray Allen hit consecutive 3-pointers to tie it.
Billups then attempted to isolate Tony Allen, but lost the ball and Garnett stole it with 5.1 seconds left. Pierce missed a fadaway, and Rasheed Wallace grabbed the rebound before calling timeout with 1.7 seconds left.
Lindsay Hunter's 3-pointer 2:18 into the final quarter gave the Pistons their first lead, 68-67, since the opening minutes. Detroit forced Boston into some tough, contested jumpers and converted a pair of breakaway layups in scoring 10 of the next 14 points to move ahead 78-71 with 5:58 to play.
The matchup featured the league's top two defensive teams and lived up to its billing. In the opening minutes, both teams found that driving to the paint would be continually challenged and were forced to rely on jumpers.
Detroit, which had trouble working the ball into Boston's interior, was 9-of-20 from 3-point range.
Notes: For the second consecutive night, the TD Banknorth Garden hosted the Eastern Conference's two top teams in their respective sports. On Tuesday night in the NHL, Ottawa beat Boston 3-2. ... Boston coach Doc Rivers was whistled for a technical midway into the second quarter. ... Rivers wasn't about to buy into any "big game" talk before the contest. "It's December 19th," he said. "Detroit's had much bigger games the past four, five years." ... The Pistons have won 14 of the last 15 games against Boston. ... Red Sox DH David Ortiz was seated courtside wearing a Ray Allen jersey.
BOSTON (AP) - Guard Ray Allen said he hoped to return to the Boston Celtics lineup Wednesday after missing two games with a sore right ankle.
Allen said he originally got the injury Nov. 24 in Charlotte when he rolled the ankle late in the fourth quarter. He said he tried to play through the pain, but took a seat when the lingering discomfort started to affect his jump shot.
Allen shot around in practice Tuesday, but did not fully participate in the workout. He planned to test the ankle again in a shootaround prior to Boston's home game against the Detroit Pistons.
Allen, acquired in a draft day trade with Seattle, is the second-leading scorer for the Celtics (20-2), averaging 19.2 points.
TORONTO (AP) - Paul Pierce scored 18 points, Kevin Garnett had 16 and the Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to nine games by beating the Toronto Raptors 90-77 on Sunday afternoon.
Rajon Rondo had 14, Eddie House came off the bench to score 11 and Tony Allen had 10.
Atlantic Division-leading Boston (20-2) matched its longest winning streak since March 16-31, 1993.
Boston's only other 20-2 start came en route to the 1963-64 NBA championship.
The Celtics won their second straight game without guard Ray Allen (sore right ankle). Allen, who remained in Boston for treatment, is expected to return when Boston hosts Detroit on Wednesday.
Chris Bosh had 17 points and 13 rebounds as Toronto lost for the first time in five games.
Jamario Moon had 13 and Kris Humphries had 12 for Toronto, whose 77 points were a season-low. Toronto's previous low was 84, set in a Dec. 7 loss at Boston.
Celtics set franchise record, move to 12-0 at home
BOSTON (AP) - Paul Pierce scored a season-high 32 points and Kevin Garnett had an easy 15 with seven rebounds on Friday night as the Boston Celtics overcame Ray Allen's absence to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 104-82 and match the franchise record with a 12-0 start at home.
With Allen sitting out a game or two to rest a sore ankle, Tony Allen started and scored 11 points. Rajon Rondo scored 17 - one off his season high - with eight assists for Boston, which also won its first 12 home games in 1984 en route to the '85 NBA finals.
Garnett played just 29 minutes for the Celtics, who pulled away when they outscored Milwaukee 32-15 in the third quarter. Boston will try to set the team record Wednesday against Detroit.
Mo Williams scored 14 for the Bucks, Bobby Simmons had 11 and Yi Jianlian scored 10.
The Celtics turned a five-point deficit with 3:22 left in the second quarter into a 46-44 halftime lead. But it was in the third when they really pulled away.
They scored 13 consecutive points early in the third to turn a 49-47 Bucks lead into a 60-49 advantage, then added a 10-0 run near the end of the quarter to make it 78-57.
For the second straight game - but just the second time this season - the Celtics were without their regular starting five. Allen is expected to miss a game or two with a sore right ankle he has been trying to play through for eight games.
Kendrick Perkins sat out Wednesday's game against Toronto after part of his bed fell on his big toe.
Notes: The Celtics are undefeated when leading after three quarters, but they've lost both games they trailed after three. ... Boston is 7-0 on Friday nights. ... Rondo was scoreless in Wednesday night's game against Sacramento. ... The Bucks fell to 2-11 on the road and 2-6 in December. ... Pierce was 9-for-9 from the line, and the Celtics were 26-for-28.
Big Baby's 16 points, nine rebounds help lead Celtics to victory
BOSTON (AP) - Big Baby was the big man for the Boston Celtics.
Rookie Glen Davis made his first start since taking his power game and cute name to the NBA from LSU and led Boston to a 90-78 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night that kept the Celtics unbeaten at home.
The young-looking 289-pound center had 16 points and nine rebounds, and made all 10 of his free throws as Boston improved to an NBA-best 18-2.
He started in place of Kendrick Perkins, who hurt his right big toe in a bizarre incident at home. Part of Perkins' bed fell on his foot Monday night when he tried to fix it after it tilted to one side, he said.
But Davis was on the bench when the fourth quarter started and the Celtics clamped down on defense, outscoring the Kings 22-14 in the final period.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 26 points, Ray Allen had 15 and Kevin Garnett added 11. Sacramento, playing its fourth straight game without their injured leading scorer, Kevin Martin, got 16 points each from Ron Artest and Beno Udrih and 14 from Mike Miller.
For the first time this season, the Celtics' starting five was different.
And that was a huge difference from last season when they used 26 different starting combinations and went 24-58 and didn't get their 18th win until they had lost 43.
Newcomers Garnett and Allen are the biggest reasons for that. But Davis has made an impact off the bench before getting his first start since being drafted in the second round.
Boston was leading by just two points before he finished the third quarter with two free throws that made it 68-64. The Celtics then pulled away, starting the fourth quarter with a 9-2 run that put them ahead 77-66 when they called a time out with 5:10 left.
Their biggest lead was 87-70 on two free throws by Pierce.
The Celtics improved to 11-0 at home, one win short of their franchise record set in 1984-85. Their best full-season home record is 40-1 in 1985-86 when they won the last of their 16 championships.
Sacramento dropped to 0-9 on the road.
The Celtics were rested after their longest stretch without a game, three days, since they won in Chicago on Saturday night. But the Kings stayed closer than most of their opponents for much of the game before they pulled away for their 15th double-figure win of the season.
Sacramento led 45-44 at halftime after Boston squandered a 31-19 lead in the second quarter. Only outstanding free throw shooting kept it close as the Celtics made all 14 shots from the line. They were way off target from long distance, making just 2 of 15 attempts from 3-point range.
Garnett, limited to 14 minutes in the first half because of foul trouble, started the second half and helped Boston take a 56-53 lead by scoring the last three points in a 12-6 run.
That's what Philadelphia Inquirer columnist David Aldridge wonders today as he profiles the 17-2 NBA leaders. Aldridige says that although Paul Pierce had no idea the season would start like this, "no one in green believes the Celtics have even scratched the surface of their potential."
AP photo/Rusty Kennedy
Glen Davis loses the ball as he runs into Philadelphia's Kyle Korver tonight. Both teams featured throw-back uniforms.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The 76ers' first game under new management ended like so many of their other ones under former president Billy King: with a loss.
Paul Pierce had 19 points and 12 assists, Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and the Boston Celtics broke open a surprisingly tight game in the fourth quarter to beat Philadelphia 113-103 on Wednesday night. Click here to see the box score.
Ray Allen scored 12 points to make sure that Boston's big three had their usual strong all-around games. But it was Eddie House and James Posey who sank the big 3-pointers that let the NBA-best Celtics remain undefeated in the Atlantic Division and improve to 12-2 in the East.
House and Posey went 7-for-13 on 3s and that was the difference late in the game.
Andre Miller kept the Sixers alive until the fourth with his first double-double of the season, a 26-point, 12-assist effort that was one of his best games in Philadelphia. Andre Iguodala scored 24 points.
The Sixers gave an inspired effort in their first game with Ed Stefanski as president and general manager. Stefanski left his job as general manager of the Nets to take a similar role in Philadelphia after King was fired on Monday.
Posey hit a pair of 3s in the final minute of the third that helped the Celtics take a three-point lead. He hit another early in the fourth that tied the game at 86.
The Sixers took the lead one last time, 88-86, with two of Miller's free throws. They played hard, played smart, even shot 56 percent from the floor, but they simply couldn't stop the more-talented Celtics down the stretch.
House hit consecutive 3s that sparked a 12-2 run that made it 98-90. Posey hit another 3 later in the fourth that pushed the lead to 103-94 and the Sixers did not have another run left in them.
More performances like the Sixers had in the first half and King might still have a job. The Sixers entered shooting 43 percent from the floor, a number that hardly seemed to suggest they'd make 14 of 19 in the first quarter and take a 32-26 lead.
Iguodala's perfect lob to Samuel Dalembert set up an alley-oop in the second, and Iguodala hit a fallaway jumper as the shot clock expired to get a rise out of a rare strong home crowd. That shot gave the Sixers an 11-point lead and they led 57-52 at halftime.
Notes: Pierce scolded a couple of teammates in the locker room who having too much fun and screaming to some music before the game. "We're trying to play a game," he said. The two players got quiet. ... Pierce said the additions of Garnett and Allen mean he no longer has to play the role of big brother. He said last year he spent too much time telling his younger teammates what to do, where to go, what to eat, how to dress.
BOSTON (AP) - The Celtics easily overcame a slow start. The Cavaliers couldn't overcome the absence of LeBron James.
With the NBA scoring leader missing his second straight game with a sprained finger, Boston beat Cleveland 80-70 Sunday despite limited contributions from two of their stars but with more outstanding defense. Click here to read more about the game.
The Celtics, now an NBA-best 14-2, visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
AP photo / Luis M. Alvarez
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett defend Penny Hardaway, who was called for traveling on this play in the first quarter.
MIAMI (AP) - Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 27 points in the first quarter, Kevin Garnett added 23 and the NBA-leading Boston Celtics wasted most of a 28-point lead before beating the Miami Heat 95-85 on Friday night. Click here to read more about the game.
The Celtics, who are now 13-2, host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon at 12:30.
AP photo / Michael Dwyer
Paul Pierce chases a loose ball in the first quarter tonight.
The Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers tonight, 107-94, to run their record to 10-1 while remaining unbeaten at home. Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins both scored 21 for the Celtics; Garnett added 11 rebounds. Kobe Bryant had 28 for Los Angeles. Click here to see the box score from projo Stats.
The Celtics visit the Charlotte Bobcats tomorrow night.
The Boston Celtics did not let their first loss of the season, suffered on Sunday, keep them down for long. They routed the Golden State Warriors tonight, 105-82, at TDBanknorth Garden. Ray Allen led the way with 21 points. Click here to see the box score from projo Stats.
The Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Paul Pierce fouls Orlando's Rashard Lewis in the first half tonight.
It's official: The Celtics will not go 82-0. Boston rallied from a big second-half deficit to briefly take the lead, and they had a chance to tie or go ahead at the buzzer, but Paul Pierce's 3-pointer missed. The Orlando Magic, who at 9-2 have the second best record in the Eastern Conference, came away with the hard-fought 104-102 home victory to snap Boston's eight-game, season-opening win streak. Dwight Howard led the Magic with 24 points; Pierce led the Celtics with 28.
The Celtics blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead, but managed to win their eighth straight on Paul Pierce's layup with 26 seconds left. Boston beat the Miami Heat, 92-91, tonight at TDBanknorth Garden, as Kevin Garnett led the way with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Click here to see the box score from projo Stats.
The Celtics win last night over the New Jersey Nets delivered a 5.4 household rating, the highest-rated regular season game for the Celtics since the 1997-98 season, according to Comcast SportsNet, the station that broadcasts the team's games.
The station said the game was viewed in 124,200 households. For the final 15 minutes of the broadcast, the rating peaked at 7.7, or 177,100 households.
Comcast SportsNet says its ratings for the season are up 76 percent year-over-year from last season.
AP photo/Charles Krupa
Kevin Garnett looks to pass as he is pressured by Nets forward Malik Allen tonight in Boston.
The Boston Celtics, for the second time in less than a week, routed the New Jersey Nets, sending an emphatic message to one of their toughest rivals in the Atlantic Division. The final score of tonight's game at TDBanknorth Garden was 91-69, and it extended the Celtics' season-opening win streak to seven games.
AP photo / Darron Cummings
Kevin Garnett draws a foul from Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal in the second quarter of tonight's game in Indianapolis.
The Boston Celtics improved to 6-0 by defeating the Indiana Pacers, 101-86, tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Paul Pierce led the way for the Celts with 31 points, including 14 of 14 foul shooting. Pierce had 11 rebounds, while Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 11 boards. Click here to see the box score from projo Stats.
The Celtics are at home tomorrow to face the New Jersey Nets.
The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned rookie forward Brandon Wallace to their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash. Wallace is the team’s first assignment to the NBA Development League this season and the fourth NBA player to be assigned to the Development League this season.
Wallace averaged 1.2 rebounds in 4.7 minutes during preseason and has not appeared in a game for the Celtics during the regular season. He averaged 4.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in 22.4 minutes during the 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Rivers rejoins Celtics; will return to Chicago for father's funeral
BOSTON (AP) - Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers has rejoined the team after flying to Chicago to be with family following the death of his father.
Rivers said he planned to coach the Celtics in Wednesday night's home game against the Denver Nuggets and Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. He then planned to return to Chicago.
Funeral services for Grady Alexander Rivers Sr. are scheduled for Saturday at Second Baptist Church in Mayfield, Ill. The retired Chicago police officer died last weekend at the age of 76.
Doc Rivers said he has chartered a plane to take him to New Jersey, where the Celtics play the Nets on Saturday night. But he said his emotional state after the funeral may determine whether he makes the trip.
"Obviously, it's tough for me," he said. "I have to get through it. It's good to have family around, and the team is great to be around."
Rivers left the Celtics before Sunday's 98-95 overtime win in Toronto.
Celtics sign Uruguayan center, former first-round draft pick
BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Celtics have signed center Esteban Batista and swingman Dahntay Jones to round out their training camp roster.
The 6-foot-10 Batista, who is from Uruguay, averaged 1.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in limited playing time with Atlanta last season. The 24-year-old led last month's FIBA Americas Championship in rebounding with 12.4 per game.
Jones, 26, was drafted by the Celtics with the 20th pick in 2003 and immediately sent to Memphis as part of a deal for Marcus Banks.
The 6-foot-6 Jones played four years for the Grizzlies, averaging 7.5 points and 2 rebounds per game last season.
Terms of the deals were not disclosed. The Celtics have 17 players on their roster, two over the maximum the league allows once the season starts.
A trip to Europe is the perfect opportunity for Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce to get to know new teammates Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
The Celtics, who won the last of their 16 NBA titles in 1986, signed the pair over the summer to add scoring punch to a team that finished with a 24-58 record last year, the second worst in the league.
This year, with training camp to open Sunday in Rome ahead of preseason games in the Italian capital and London, Pierce is looking to return the Celtics to the top.
“Expectations around here are for a championship,” the five-time All-Star said Tuesday during a conference call.
Talking about winning the NBA title before they've even played together may be a stretch, but Pierce is hoping the six-day training camp and two games in Europe will give the Celtics some cohesiveness before the regular season starts Oct. 30.
“Just try to find a foundation, but also chemistry,” Pierce said. “Get a feel for one another on and off the court.”
The Celtics, who have won only three playoff series in Pierce's nine years with the team, will face the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 6 in Rome, and play the Minnesota Timberwolves four days later in London.
Garnett, a former MVP and 10-time All-Star, went to the Celtics from the Timberwolves in a 7-for-1 deal — the NBA's biggest trade for one player.
“Probably going to be a lot of emotion,” said Pierce, thinking of his former teammates now playing in Minnesota.
The game will pit Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge against Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale. The pair, who orchestrated the Garnett deal, were teammates with Larry Bird and Robert Parish when the Celtics last won the NBA title 21 years ago.
The games are part of NBA Europe Live, which includes the Memphis Grizzlies. The four teams will play and train in Britain, Italy, Spain and Turkey.
London recently become a hub for American sports.
Besides the Celtics-Timberwolves game, the city will host the opening two games of the NHL season this weekend when the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks play the Los Angeles Kings.
Late next month, the NFL will play a regular-season game at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium when the Miami Dolphins face the New York Giants on Oct. 28.
The NBA, which opened a European office in London this year, has often sent teams to Europe to warm up for the season. And much like the NHL, the basketball league has seen an increasing number of European players making the leap to the United States, including France star Tony Parker and Germany forward Dirk Nowitzki.
The Celtics-Timberwolves game will be the first time the NBA has played in Britain since 1993.
