Jeff Howe is an award-winning sportswriter who is
in his first season as the lead writer on the Celtics beat for the Boston Metro.
Howe has worked at the Metro for two years as the GameDay editor. He has also
covered the Patriots for two seasons. Howe graduated from the University of
Massachusetts in 2006. He can be reached at jeff.howe@metro-boston.com.
Posted by Jeff Howe, May 4, 6:42 p.m.
Paul Pierce ended his media boycott today, which he started after some writers took it upon themselves to say Pierce was flashing gang signs.
"The stuff that was going on with myself, I just didn’t want to be a distraction to what we are trying to accomplish," Pierce explained. "My whole focus was just trying to be on game in and game out for what we were trying to do. I was just trying to take a step back to myself and not really be a distraction to others and everything that was going on on and off the court. I didn’t want to bring that attention back to my team. My focus was just on playing basketball."
Posted by Jeff Howe, May 4, 6:25 p.m.
Doc Rivers won his first career playoff series as a head coach. He lost three first-round series with the Magic from 2001-03 and one with the Celtics in 2005. He is now 7-7 in playoff games with the Celtics and 12-17 in his career.
“I guess if you coach long enough, you get luck and you can move on,” Rivers quipped. “I didn’t do anything, to be honest. We’ve got Kevin [Garnett], Ray [Allen], Paul [Pierce] and all those guys, and I’m just riding with them.”
Posted by Jeff Howe, May 4, 6:08 p.m.
Kendrick Perkins dominated the paint in the first quarter, as noted by an earlier post. He finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots.
"Kendrick was phenomenal," Doc Rivers said. "I thought he set the tone defensively as much as anyone."
" I haven’t been able to get enough sleep, so I just came out and set the tone, leave it all out on the court," Perkins said. "I think my team will feed off of me. I thought I came in with a great focus, and I wasn’t trying to go home."
Posted by Jeff Howe, May 4, 5:57 p.m.
Since there wasn't much to discuss about the Celtics' beatdown of the Hawks today, a lot of the postgame talk surrounded Marvin Williams' Flagrant-2 foul on Rajon Rondo in the third quarter. Rondo was in the process of laying in the ball on a fastbreak when Williams tackled him midair and sent him hard to the ground with 9:09 remaining in the third and the Celtics ahead 51-28. Williams was given an automatic ejection.
"I knew no question that it would be a flagrant," Williams said after the game. "But a Flagrant-2? Like I said, I was trying to catch him. I wasn’t trying to take him out. I would never try to hurt anybody, so for them to kick me out. It was a good call. I saw it on TV, and it did look pretty bad, so I can’t argue that at all. I just want Rondo to know that I would never try to hurt him."
Williams and Rondo have actually been close friends since high school, as the pair met up regularly on the court. Williams said he would call Rondo on the bus ride to the airport to make sure Rondo knew their was no ill intent.
"I thought [Rondo] was really hurt, and I just told him to stay
down," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "Marvin Williams, by the way, is not a dirty player at all. Rest assured,
I know that as a fact. I really thought he tried to commit a hard foul, but
then he couldn’t catch him. It was a bad foul and two good kids playing hard. I
guess by the rule you have to throw him out."
Posted by Jeff Howe, May 4, 4:45 p.m.
The Celtics moved on with their 99-65 win against the Hawks today. I've got more coming later, but here is the first snapshot at the Celtics-Cavaliers series.
Game 1 -- Tuesday, May 6, at Boston, 8 p.m., TNT
Game 2 -- Thursday, May 8, at Boston, 7 p.m., ESPN
Game 3 -- Saturday, May 10, at Cleveland, TBD, TBD
Game 4 -- Monday, May 12, at Cleveland, 8 p.m., TNT
*Game 5 -- Wednesday, May 14, at Boston, TBD, TNT
*Game 6 -- Friday, May 16, at Cleveland, TBD, ESPN
*Game 7 -- Sunday, May 18, at Boston, TBD, TBD
Posted by Jeff Howe, May 4, 2:59 p.m.
This one's all but over. The Celtics hold a 79-43 lead heading into the final quarter and can start looking forward to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
Hawks forward Marvin Williams was assessed a Flagrant-2 foul and ejected from the game with 9:09 to play in the third quarter. Rajon Rondo was driving for a lay-up, and Williams tackled Rondo midair and sent him hard to the floor in a bush-league move. Since the league can't suspend Williams due to the Hawks playing their final game today, a very hefty fine is sure to follow.
Posted by Jeff Howe, May 4, 1:28 p.m.
The Celtics played one of their best quarters of the series and lead 27-16 after one. Kendrick Perkins has been a beast in the paint with eight points and six rebounds. He had a great hard foul to stop a Josh Smith lay-in, and he had a nice block on a Zaza Pachulia drive. The Celtics out-rebounded Atlanta 17-8 and held the Hawks to 26 percent (6 of 23) from the floor. Joe Johnson has kept the Hawks from extinction with three 3-pointers.
Posted by Jeff Howe, May 4, 12:36 p.m.
I forgot to mention earlier that Hawks starting forward Marvin Williams, who injured his knee in Game 6, said he will try to play today. With the way he is moving around, though, I can't imagine he'll be very effective.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 30, 11:22 p.m.
The Celtics dropped the Hawks, 110-85, tonight at the Garden and took a 3-2 series lead in the process. Game 6 is Friday night at Philips Arena. More coming later.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 30, 10:45 p.m.
The Celtics lead the Hawks, 81-64 after three. Atlanta trimmed the lead to 60-54 with an 11-0 run early in the quarter, but the Celtics got three 3-pointers from Ray Allen and another from James Posey at the end of the quarter to reestablish momentum.
One of the biggest roars of the night came during a timeout with 7;27 remaining in the third quarter. The video boards showed highlights of the Red Sox' 2-1 win against the Blue Jays at Fenway, and the crowd erupted to the tune of "Sweet Caroline." Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner, who are in the building, were then shown on the video boards.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 30, 9:56 p.m.
The Celtics opened it up a bit in the second quarter and take a 58-43 lead into the half. Al Horford was assessed a Flagrant-1 foul after knocking down Kevin Garnett in the final minute of the second quarter, and Garnett made both free throws. A Ray Allen 3-pointer a few seconds later pushed the margin to 15, and that's where we're at right now.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 30, 9:17 p.m.
The Celtics lead, 27-19, after the first quarter. This is the Celtics team we saw during the first two games of the series, pressuring the ball on both ends of the court and controlling play. Paul Pierce had 10 points and four rebounds in the quarter. The Hawks are lucky to be this close right now, having hit three or four circus shots and breaking down a few times on defense. Pierce has been left alone with Bibby guarding him, and Kevin Garnett had a matchup with Josh Childress he didn't take advantage of. Ray Allen also missed a wide open 3-pointer from the right arc, which resulted from tremendous ball movement. The Hawks have brought the same tenacity they've had in the last two games and have sort of made their own breaks, but they should be lucky at this point to be in the game. If the Celtics let up like they did in Atlanta, though, this will be another game that goes down to the wire.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 30, 8:22 p.m.
Apparently, all 18,000 in attendance tonight called each other before the game to plan their wardrobes. OK, I kid, I kid. Reebok has sponsored a free T-shirt night at the Garden tonight, and they're pretty nice as far as free stuff goes. And believe me, we in the media know all about the free stuff. The T-shirts are green and have the Celtics logo on the front with a "Playoffs" insignia below it.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 30, 7:51 p.m.
Not a ton going on before the game tonight, but Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins each addressed the media for a few minutes. Rondo spent a good deal of time talking about Hawks forward Josh Smith, who has been instrumental in Atlanta's two wins in the series. Rondo and Smith were high school teammates at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, and Rondo said he was able to dunk on Smith once during their years together. Smith set a Hawks single-game playoff record with seven blocks in Game 4 and has had similar success against Rondo this series. Rondo, though, said he'll still try to throw one down on Smith before the series is over.
Perkins said he thinks Paul Pierce got a raw deal with the league-issued $25,000 fine for making a "menacing gesture" in Game 3. Rondo and Perkins both said it's a hand signal the team has used all season, and it symbolizes their "blood, sweat and tears" motto.
Doc Rivers spoke candidly about the firing of Mavericks coach Avery Johnson, who Rivers called one of his best friends in the league. Johnson was fired today after the Mavs failed to reach the second round of the playoffs in two straight years. (In my opinion, Mark Cuban is a moron, but this isn't a Mavericks blog and I'll leave it at that.)
Other than that, Rondo and Perkins each harped that the team is just trying to stick together and rally up for tonight's all-important Game 5.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 30, 6:50 p.m.
Paul Pierce has taken a bit of heat for his "menacing gesture" (term used by the NBA) at the end of Game 3 in Atlanta. Pierce was fined $25,000, and many have speculated -- probably going a bit overboard -- his hand signal was gang related. The following is Pierce's statement in its entirety:
"I don't want to take the focus away from the playoffs," the statement read. "In sports, emotions run high. After playing for 10 years in Boston, I think Celtics fans know that I am a passionate player.
"I 100 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."
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 28, 7:06 p.m.
Rajon Rondo finished fifth today in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player Award, losing out to Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu. Rondo received six first-place votes, 10 second-place votes and 17 third-place votes for a total of 77 points, well behind Turkoglu. Rudy Gay, LaMarcus Aldridge and old friend Al Jefferson rounded out the top four.
This is a tough award to vote for, but there were some weird names on the list, including LeBron James (Seriously, only one person voted for him, and it was a first-place vote. Does someone in Cleveland have a Peter King thing going here?), Monta Ellis (who won the award last year) and Shaquille O'Neal (someone's vote should be revoked).
On the other side of the ballot, Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins were each ignored. Now, you could make the case that Perkins improved because he was playing alongside Kevin Garnett, and that's completely fine. But no love for Powe? I'm not saying he should have won the award or even finished in the top 15, but he deserved a vote somewhere along the line. One of the 125 voters should have seen the Celtics enough (because they were finally on TV this year) to realize what Powe brings to the table. His numbers don't jump off the charts (7.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in 2007-08 compared to 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in his rookie season), but his energy and ability deepen Boston's rotation were second to none in the latter half of the season. And those are two intangibles the Celtics thrived upon as a whole this year.
Finally, the league announced today Paul Pierce was fined $25,000 for "making menacing gestures" during Game 3, presumably toward the end of the game in the direction of Al Horford.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 26, 11:30 p.m.
The Hawks beat the Celtics, 102-93, in Atlanta tonight to draw the series to 2-1. Here are a few of my thoughts on the Celtics' dismal performance.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 24, 2:04 p.m.
I just finished up a story for tomorrow's paper dealing with the Hawks' attempts to get into the Celtics' heads during Game 2, but the Celtics were able to respond with some physical play of their own. There are a couple things I didn't touch on in that story to save for the blog.
Kevin Garnett noted the C's no lay-up policy, which makes sure no opponent gets an easy look at the rim during the playoffs.
"We’re not trying to give up any easy baskets," Garnett said. "This team is athletic. We talk about it every practice day, every film day that we have to cut these easy baskets down. We have a no lay-up policy. It’s not trying to hurt somebody but trying to really, really defend the paint here in the playoffs. I feel like in order for us to be effective, we have to do that."
Ray Allen added to that.
"We knew what they were going to try and do and come out and attack us," Allen said. "We had to attack right back. You sense a play like that, and you get more aggressive on the offensive end. Defensively, you just say, 'Look, they’re coming in our paint. Put them down. Make sure they don’t come in there easy, and make sure they think twice about coming in there.'"
In addition, Kendrick Perkins and Mike Bibby allowed their war through the media spill out a bit onto the floor. Bibby maintained his stance after the game last night that he shared a major discontent with Celtics fans and also threw a verbal jab at Perkins' attempt at physical play.
" I thought he tried to hit me a few times," Bibby said, "but I didn’t feel it."
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 24, 1:34 a.m.
Mike Bibby's comments about Celtics fans were loud. The Garden's response to Bibby during Game 2 was even louder. But Kevin Garnett's reaction during the postgame press conference was something on another level.
"Neither one of us have said anything retarded," Garnett said while sitting at the podium next to Ray Allen. "I don’t remember you saying nothing retarded. Have I ever said anything retarded? No. It’s hard enough playing on the road causing attention to yourself. I don’t think, no I can’t recall, neither one of us has said anything crazy like that."
The fan reaction toward Bibby was a nice mixture of intense and comical. He was booed every single time he touched the ball and heard chants of "Bibby sucks," "Where is Bibby?" when he was on the bench in the second half and "Rondo's better" through much of the fourth quarter.
"I heard them," Bibby said. "I knew it was going to happen. They played a good game. I’m not really worried about the crowd. They played a good game."
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 23, 11:44 p.m.
There were a few things of note that happened during the postgame. Here are the quickies:
Kevin Garnett was asked if it was a distraction when he was honored before the game with the Defensive Player of the Year award. Garnett said, "It's a distraction that ..."
And as Garnett paused for a moment, Ray Allen jumped in, "That I wish I had."
"I was going to say it's a good distraction," Garnett said after the laughter in the room quieted. "Obviously, it's for the fans and people to show their appreciation. It's gratifying."
Doc Rivers mentioned the biggest thing he wants his team to improve upon this series is closing out quarters. Most notably, the Celtics had a 15-point lead with less than 90 seconds to play in the first half before heading into the break ahead by 10.
"They’re a young and aggressive team," Rivers said of the Hawks. "And when you give them hope, you’re playing with fire."
Rivers on James Posey, who entered the game for Paul Pierce in the first quarter and gave the Celtics some solid minutes: "He’s so important to our team. I don’t think people have any idea how important he is to our basketball team on and off the floor, and he was terrific tonight."
Rivers on Eddie House (3:03) and Tony Allen (2:25), neither of whom got much playing time: "Eddie and Tony, those guys are going to help us at some point. I can’t imagine how tough it is for them. They’ve played minutes all year, and you shorten your rotation [in the playoffs] and then they’re not playing. That’s difficult. They’ve handled it great, but I do understand how difficult that is."
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 23, 10:50 p.m.
The Celtics blew out the Hawks for the second straight game, using a 96-77 win tonight to grab a 2-0 lead in the series. Game 3 is Saturday night at 8 in Atlanta. I'll check back in with more after the press conferences.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 23, 10:06 p.m.
The Celtics can kick out their legs and enjoy the fourth quarter after extending their lead to 76-58 after three.
Oh, and actor Bruce Willis is in the house. He received a loud ovation from the crowd when he was shown on the video boards.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 23, 9:18 p.m.
The Celtics are taking control of this game and have a 52-42 lead at the half. Paul Pierce returned to the game at the start of the second quarter and hit a key 3-pointer to give the C's a 40-29 lead midway through the quarter. Pierce checked back out of the game with 3:18 remaining in the second and jogged back to the locker room with trainer Ed Lacerte.
Also, Patriots owner Bob Kraft is sitting with the Celtics' owners in the same seat Sox owner John Henry occupied during Game 1. I think I just broke the record for most uses of the word "owner" in one sentence. Anyway, Pats linebacker Adalius Thomas and comedian Lenny Clarke are also in attendance.
Pierce may not be the only Celtic with back problems tonight, as Sam Cassell is sitting on the bench with his back wrapped.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 23, 8:38 p.m.
The Celtics lead 24-20 after a testy first quarter. Paul Pierce returned to the bench with about four minutes remaining in the quarter but has yet to check back into the game. Kendrick Perkins picked up two quick fouls for the second straight game and had to head to the bench with 6:11 to play in the quarter. And this Mike Bibby treatment is epic. He's getting booed every time he touches the ball, and a couple "Bibby sucks" chants have echoed through the building. Gilbert Arenas can only wish he was hated this much.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 23, 8:24 p.m.
Paul Pierce was on the wrong end of a hard foul by Joe Johnson 82 seconds into the game. After the foul, Pierce was pretty much tackled by everyone on the Hawks, and there was a lot of jawing from each team. Pierce missed the first free throw and immediately dropped to his knees to stretch his back while in obvious pain.
Pierce left the game a minute later and went into the locker room with trainer Ed Lacerte and team doctor Brian McKeon. The Celtics called his injury a lower back strain, and he is expected to return. As of right now, though, he is still in the locker room.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 23, 7:37 p.m.
The feud started with Hawks point guard Mike Bibby calling out Celtics fans, saying they're "bandwagon jumpers" who are only going to the games because the team is finally winning. Then, Kendrick Perkins spoke out in the fans' defense. Now, it's gotten personal.
Bibby addressed the media earlier tonight and stuck to the comments he made before practice yesterday. Then, Bibby got on Perkins, saying the Celtics' center would be better off keeping his mouth shut because he hasn't accomplished anything in this league. Hey, Bibby's words -- not mine.
After Perkins was told of Bibby's statements, the C's big man shook them off.
"I’m still going to go to sleep tonight," Perkins said about an hour ago. "It really doesn’t bother me either way. Whatever to get his confidence right.
"I ain’t worried about him. Obviously, he’s worried about what’s going on over here, but I’m not worried about him, so it’s whatever."
Outside the locker room, Leon Powe was laughing with P.J. Brown, with Powe leaning on his teammate and saying, "Perk and Mike Bibby are talking crazy about each other."
In case you aren't up to date on how the feud started, click 
here for the story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 20, 11:49 p.m.
Thankfully, the postgame press conferences were moved to a larger area in the Garden's back hallway compared a couple of the smaller locker rooms that were used throughout the regular season.
Kevin Garnett said he plans to soak in all of the playoffs have to offer this time around, saying he was thankful to be put in this position. He also compared running out of the tunnel before the game like sticking your head out of a car window when it's driving 140 mph. He said he needed to stop and collect himself a bit.
Doc Rivers noted his team's success from 3-point range in the first quarter was like "fools gold" in that once the Celtics started knocking them down, that's what they started looking for during much of the first half. He said that's when they started getting into trouble and the lead withered away, saying he emphasized the offense running through the post more often.
Rivers was also unhappy with the way the Celtics failed to close out the first and second quarters, and at halftime, they talked about closing up the lane on defense.
Rivers mentioned the atmosphere in the building, which was the most electric it had been all season. He said it is rare to hear the crowd roars from the locker room prior to the game, but that was the case tonight, noting "I was in the bathroom (pause) combing my hair." It drew a laugh from the media in the room.
Finally, the Celtics were all proud of Rajon Rondo and his ability to stay within himself and control the moment tonight. Rondo had 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 20, 11:12 p.m.
The Celtics made a statement tonight, blowing out the Hawks, 104-81, at the Garden. They took a 1-0 lead in the series and will go for win No. 2 Wednesday night at home. This was the Celtics’ first playoff victory since they beat the host Pacers, 92-89, in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on May 5, 2005 . The Celtics lost that series, 4-3.
I'll have a little more coming later on.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 20, 10:34 p.m.
The Celtics have a 73-55 lead after the third quarter. The C's were 58-7 in the regular season when ahead or tied after three. Ray Allen scored 12 in the quarter to give the Celtics a comfortable lead heading into the fourth.
Apparently, Kevin Youkilis doesn't have the connections that Mike Lowell, David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia have. Youkilis is sitting about four seats away from the Sox trio but in the second row.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 20, 9:48 p.m.
The Celtics lead 49-40 after the second quarter. The C's were 52-9 in the regular season when ahead or tied at the half. The game definitely slowed down more once the Celtics' second unit entered, and the Hawks drew to within four points a couple different times before Sam Cassell sparked the C's with a big 3-pointer to push the lead to 38-31. The Celtics' biggest concern in the second half will be the foul trouble of Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, who each have three personal fouls.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 20, 9:14 p.m.
The Celtics lead the Hawks, 29-21, at the end of the first quarter. The C's were 48-7 in the regular season when ahead or tied after one. The Celtics definitely fed off the raucous crowd, while the Hawks showed their youth. They went back-to-back possessions with a shot that was all glass and then an air ball. Atlanta point guard Mike Bibby also picked up a technical foul. Celtics center Kendrick Perkins was tagged with a couple early fouls, and Leon Powe was the first man off the bench for the C's.
Sitting courtside tonight are Red Sox Mike Lowell, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and owner John Henry. Pedroia, repping the little man, is wearing a green Rajon Rondo tee shirt.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 20, 8:39 p.m.
It's not quite yet the loudest this building has been all season because the crowds for the Pistons and Spurs games were pretty electric. But the pregame crowd is rocking the Garden. The C's brought back the fireworks for the starting lineups and also had a new montage they played on the video boards prior to the game. It highlighted past Celtics playoff appearances and looked back on the acquisitions of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. JoJo White also spoke live on the video boards. This should be a crazy night at the Garden.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 20, 6:52 p.m.
It's that time again. The Celtics were the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff spot (March 5), and they're the last one to get in their first game, obviously along with the Hawks. The C's finished a league-best 66-16 and will have home-court advantage throughout the postseason as long as they're playing, and the Hawks were 37-45, the worst team still playing. Atlanta, however, finished 16-17 after trading for point guard Mike Bibby in February.
Some nuggets: Celtics coach Doc Rivers played for the Hawks from 1983-91 and is the team's all-time leader in assists with 3,866. ... The Celtics are in the playoffs for the first time in three years, and the Hawks are back in the postseason after a nine-year absence. ... Atlanta's 37 wins were their most in 10 seasons. ... Props to the Garden for keeping the parking price at $25 for the playoffs, while another local team (through no fault of their own) sees playoff parking rates soar around the facility. ... The NBA Playoffs insignia is on the parquet.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 16, 10 p.m.
The Celtics got their kicks during win 66. Leon Powe scored a career-high 27 points to go along with 11 rebounds to lead the Celtics to a 105-94 win against the Nets at the Garden. Ray Allen led the Big Three with 18 minutes played, as this was merely a spectacle for the starters.
The C's finished the regular season with an NBA-best 66-16 record, and they'll host the eighth-seeded Hawks in the first round, which will begin this weekend.
Posted by Jeff Howe, April 16, 5:42 p.m.
It's been awhile, but don't worry. I wasn't really leaving you guys this way. Kind of like the Celtics, "In the Paint" clinched an early playoff berth and rested the starters for the rest of the season. But we're back in time for the playoffs, and consider tonight something of a postseason warmup.
The main topic of conversation around the Garden tonight revolves around when the Celtics will open play this weekend against the Hawks. The buzz is the NBA wants the Celtics to play in the first nationally televised game Saturday at 3 p.m., but there's a problem with the Bruins potentially hosting a playoff game Saturday night at 7. While parts of other playoff series have been announced, the league is holding off on the Celtics because it is rumored to be in talks with the networks to see if something can get worked out.
Consider the factors, though. A fast Celtics game would take two and a half hours, meaning a 5:30 conclusion. If the building security is completely on point, it would take about a half hour to usher the fans out of the building, and there'd be no time to clean the place. Typically, buildings open 90 minutes before the start of games, meaning that process would already be delayed a half hour. Also, you're talking about two sets of media. Granted, hockey media watches games on the Garden's ninth floor while the basketball media stays around the third floor, but there's still just one central media room. Is it feasible? Yes. But there are way too many small details to overcome.
Of course, the only thing that matters to the league is money in the TV contracts.
Here's where it gets even better. There are a pair of concerts in Atlanta next week on Thursday and Friday. That means the series can't open in Atlanta until next Saturday. As the rumors fly, this series is looking like it's going Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday in the first three games.
And finally, if the Celtics don't get the 3 p.m. game Saturday, it will be the Lakers.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 14, 7:23 p.m.
As the NBA pauses for the All-Star break, I took the time to grade the C’s. Not surprisingly, they passed with flying colors. Team grade: A. (Side note: check the Metro today if you have the chance to because the report card looks pretty solid.)
Kevin Garnett: A+
Pros: The Big Ticket heads into the All-Star break as the NBA’s leading MVP candidate. He’s second on the Celtics with 19.2 points per game and is grabbing a team-high 9.9 rebounds per contest. Garnett also has 3.8 assists, 1.41 blocks and 1.41 steals per game. But it’s his presence on defense that has changed the culture of Boston basketball. He is a fiery competitor who controls the tempo of the action when he is on the court, and he’s got the killer instinct that should pay dividends during the playoffs.
Cons: There aren’t exactly many of these. Garnett’s abdominal strain is a mild concern, as he’s missed nine straight games. And there is still no exact timetable for his return, though it’s a good sign he is heading to New Orleans to work out with Doc Rivers over the weekend. As an injury that calls for rest as the best medicine, the fact that KG isn’t staying behind for a few days to nurse it shows his return to the lineup should be sooner than later.
Paul Pierce: A
Pros: The Truth is averaging a team-best 20.6 points per game, his lowest mark in eight years, but he’s having the best season of his career. Why? Because he’s playing Kobe Bryant-like defense. Pierce is drawing the praise of every coach and scout around the league for his perimeter prowess, and he should earn his first career selection to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team.
Cons: He still falls into the occasional trap of settling for jumpers, but there isn’t a player like him in the game who doesn’t. If Pierce continues to stay aggressive in attacking the basket, he’ll open up more opportunities for everyone else, especially Ray Allen.
Ray Allen: B+
Pros: His creativity around the rim has been a surprise while watching him for the first time on a game-by-game basis. Allen has also admirably taken on the role of being the third offensive option (most times). But if Pierce or Garnett struggles — or if the game plan calls for it — Allen (18.5 points per game) has been a worthy scorer, especially in crunch time.
Cons: He went through a very difficult funk early in the season, but he has seemed to snap out of it. It’s tough for a pure shooter when the iron betrays him, but Allen certainly never lost confidence. With that slump, Allen is shooting a career-low .426 from the field. He can also find occasional difficulty getting his shots, as he relies on teammates setting screens to get him open away from the ball.
Celtics’ supporting cast: B
Pros: Point guard Rajon Rondo has been an absolute stud. His maturation process since the end of last season has been a welcomed sight for the Celtics, to say the very least. Entering the season, it appeared as though Rondo simply needed to stay out of the way and allow everyone else to do the heavy lifting for the C’s to have success. Those thoughts couldn’t have been further from the truth. Rondo is as fun to watch as anyone on the team, and he’s averaging 10.4 points, 4.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. Fellow starter, center Kendrick Perkins, has played his role well, serving as a looming presence and grabbing 5.6 rebounds. Plus, James Posey, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, Tony Allen and Eddie House have nicely filled in the rotation and, at times, won games.
Cons: Though House has been solid off the bench, he’s vulnerable as the backup point guard when defenses press, which will certainly come on a regular basis in the playoffs. Allen has shown equal parts bright flashes and head-scratching turnovers, especially with his knack of losing the ball in traffic. And who knows how the Celtics’ big men will mend, but this Davis injury could really hurt their frontcourt depth if he’s out for an extended period of time.
Doc Rivers: A
Pros: As with Rondo, most wanted Rivers to stay out of the way this season. Well, it might be the understatement of the year to say it’s a really, really good thing he didn’t. After the summer press conference that introduced the New Three, Rivers took his stars to his office, where he firmly told them they wouldn’t be of any significance this season without playing great defense. Naturally, they bought what Rivers was selling. Rivers is also the perfect mix of players’ coach and drill instructor. His players trust him, they enjoy playing for him and he’s made sure they were able to come together and bond as a unit (it’s only fair to say Pierce, Garnett and Allen deserve credit for that, too). Rivers also made the smart move of hiring Tom Thibodeau, a defensive-minded guru, to his coaching staff. Finally, Rivers has handled Garnett’s injury with perfection. After the C’s roaring start, they definitely fatigued in January, and Garnett could have used the rest anyway. Rivers hasn’t forced Garnett to test his abdomen, and KG has been publicly grateful.
Cons: Like the Celtics’ stars, it’s nitpicking to find something wrong with Rivers’ operation. If anything, Posey (24.5 minutes per game, sixth-most on the team) probably deserves a tad more playing time, and that’s a reach.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 10, 4:53 p.m.
Who needs Kevin Garnett?
Certainly not the Celtics, who took down the defending champion Spurs, 98-90, today at a raucous TD Banknorth Garden. The C’s improved to 5-2 without the NBA All-Star Game’s leading vote getter, who is expected to miss at least another week with a strained abdomen. The Celtics visit the Pacers Tuesday before hosting the Knicks Wednesday and taking off for the All-Star break after that.
In Garnett’s absence, Paul Pierce scored a game-high 35 points and had six rebounds to lift the Celtics (39-9) to their first home win over the Spurs (32-17) in 11 years. And Glen Davis added nine points, eight rebounds, three steals and played solid defense on Tim Duncan, who had 22 points and 14 boards but never took control of the game.
“It was amazing to be out there with Tim Duncan, knowing that he is one of the greatest,” Davis said. “The matchup against him today meant a lot for my confidence and also for my team.”
“[ Davis ] was huge,” said Pierce, whose Celtics improved to 16-0 against the Western Conference. “His defense, the way he used his body, his strength, the way he pushed Duncan out of the paint to take away his easy lay-ups. That’s big for a rookie. You don’t see rookies coming in, stepping up to the challenge – you’ve got a four-time champion, an MVP of this league, and he wanted the challenge.”
Rajon Rondo made another important impact with five points, a career-high 12 assists and a team-best 11 rebounds, including an offensive board in the final minute that eventually led to a pair of free throws from Ray Allen (19 points, five rebounds) that pushed the Celtics’ lead to 92-87.
“It was a great effort,” Pierce said. “We played with a lot of energy, and that’s what it’s going to take to beat these elite teams in the NBA. Regardless, we’ve got to make up for our lack of players with our hard work and our hustle. That’s what we were able to do today, grind it out, make it a physical ballgame, and we were able to pull it out in the end.”
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 10, 2:53 p.m.
The Celtics have a 68-61 lead after the third quarter. The C's are 33-4 this season when ahead or tied after three. Paul Pierce has a game-high 26 points.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 10, 2:03 p.m.
Paul Pierce hit a jumper with 6.5 seconds remaining in the second quarter to give the Celtics a 43-41 lead after two. Pierce has a game-high 18 points.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 10, 1:29 p.m.
The Spurs have a 23-30 lead after the first quarter. The Celtics are 11-4 this season when behind after one. Paul Pierce was on fire early, scoring 14 of Boston's first 16 points, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to key a 10-0 run at one point.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 10, 1:03 p.m.
OK, we're off to a late start this morning, and there's a lot to catch up on, as the Celtics (38-9) take on the Spurs (32-16). First, and least important, the Celtics brought the fireworks back for the starting lineups. This is the third time they've done that this season, with the season opener against the Wizards and Dec. 8 against the Bulls.
Now, let's get down to brass tacks. Doc Rivers announced earlier this morning that Kendrick Perkins will be out of the lineup until after the All-Star break with a strained left shoulder. Kevin Garnett, who is missing his seventh straight game today with an abdominal strain, will likely be out another week, as well. Rivers said Garnett ran today, and he might get on the floor during practice tomorrow to participate in basic offensive sets. Those will be slow, almost-walking drills that don't involve a defense, however. Garnett likely will not play Tuesday against Indiana or Wednesday against the Knicks here.
Rivers also said Garnett will probably miss the All-Star game, though the two have not made a decision on that yet. If that's the case, Rivers has been lobbying to get Ray Allen on the team to fill the spot.
Leon Powe and Brian Scalabrine started in place of Garnett and Perkins, but Powe picked up two fouls in less than two minutes and Glen Davis is on the floor now.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 6, 10:57 p.m.
Doc Rivers just said Kevin Garnett will not play Friday in Minnesota, where he spent his first 12 years of his NBA career. It will be the sixth straight game Garnett has missed with an abdominal strain.
Rivers said Garnett will "most likely" make the trip to Minnesota but will not make a definite decision on that matter until tomorrow. He then said Garnett will not sit on the bench, per usual, but will bring him out onto the floor if he learns the Timberwolves are planning a ceremony for him.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 6, 10:16 p.m. (updated at 11:02 p.m.)
If Sam Cassell ever ends up wearing a Celtics uniform, don’t expect Rajon Rondo to be too happy about it.
Rondo took exception to Cassell’s place on the parquet tonight, and the Celtics’ starting point guard put forth an inspired effort in Boston ’s 111-100 win over the Clippers at the TD Banknorth Garden.
Cassell, rumored to be on his way out of Los Angeles via trade or contract buyout and eyeing the Celtics as a potential suitor, told reporters before the game he would “love” to reunite with Kevin Garnett. The pair were teammates in Minnesota for two years.
But any affection Cassell previously had for the C’s may have dissipated during a physical battle between the point guards, which culminated with Cassell’s ejection for close-lining Rondo mid-air on his way to the basket in the second quarter. Rondo’s nose was bloody after a hard fall, and Cassell, who had 10 points, was given a Flagrant-2 foul and an early shower with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter.
“Nothing about it,” Rondo said of the foul.
Rondo scored a career-high 24 points, including 18 in the first half, to go along with eight assists, five rebounds and four steals. He was a nuisance on the defensive end, and the second-year guard shredded the Clippers in the paint with playground-style moves throughout the night.
“Every night, as of lately, I’ve been trying to get psyched up playing the opposing guard,” Rondo said. “It’s a great league, and every night you have a chance. The opposing guard could have a career high on you, so every night you try to get psyched up and be mentally ready.”
Paul Pierce scored the first nine points of the game and finished with 15 for the Celtics (37-9), who were without Kevin Garnett for the fifth straight game. Garnett maintained last night he was still day-to-day and is continuing to get better.
The Clippers (15-31) responded to Pierce’s opening spurt with a 24-11 run to take a 29-25 lead after the first quarter, but Rondo’s 12-point second quarter allowed the Celtics to establish control for the rest of the game.
Ray Allen had 19 points and five rebounds, while Leon Powe provided another boost for the Celtics with 13 points and 10 boards.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 6, 9:33 p.m.
The Celtics have an 84-81 lead after the third quarter. The C's are 32-4 this season when ahead or tied after three.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 6, 8:51 p.m.
The Celtics have a 59-48 lead after the second quarter. The C's are 29-5 this season when ahead or tied at the half.
Clippers point guard Sam Cassell, who could end up on the Celtics before this season is over, was kicked out of the game with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter. Cassell close-lined Rajon Rondo as Rondo was driving through the lane, and Cassell was given a Flagrant-2 foul, which comes with an automatic ejection. The two point guards had a physical battle going tonight, and Cassell ended up on the floor during the Clippers' previous possession.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 6, 8:09 p.m.
The Clippers have a 29-25 lead after the first quarter. The Celtics are 9-4 this season when trailing after one.
Paul Pierce scored the first nine points of the game, but the Clippers responded with a 24-11 run to establish the lead. The C's had a chance to take a lead into the break, but Tony Allen air-balled a 3-pointer into the hands of Sam Cassell, who fed Quinton Ross up the right sideline. Ross then hit a running jumper from about 30 feet at the buzzer.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 6, 7:17 p.m.
Paul Pierce, who had a rough case of the flu last night in Cleveland, will start for the Celtics tonight. C's coach Doc Rivers said Pierce looks much better today, and not just because he got a new haircut.
Rivers also announced Scot Pollard will be out until after the All-Star break with a sore left ankle.
Clippers point guard Sam Cassell, who could be traded or allowed out of his contract soon, told reporters tonight he would love to play with Kevin Garnett again. The two were once teammates in Minnesota.
And the NBA just announced the trade between the Suns and Heat has been finalized. Miami sent Shaquille O'Neal to Phoenix for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, who began his career with the Celtics. My first impression says the Heat just got away with highway robbery, and they'll have a bright future with Marion and Dwyane Wade together on South Beach. The Suns, however, have the best record in the Western Conference, should, should, SHOULD have beaten the Spurs in the playoffs last year and gone on to win the NBA Finals. But Marion wasn't very happy with Suns management, which in turn felt the team needed to get better defensively and on the boards. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 6, 7:12 p.m.
Kevin Garnett held his first ever State of the Kevin Garnett speech before tonight's game against the Clippers.
The
Celtics’ All-Star forward called a press conference, which he had never done
prior to a game since joining the Celtics, to discuss the abdominal strain that
has kept him out of five straight games (including tonight).
While he still has no target date for his return to the lineup, Garnett insists he is getting better every day.
“The first three days were probably the most difficult,” said Garnett, whose first public sign of the injury came during a win over the Timberwolves on Jan. 25. “You don’t know how many movements are affected throughout your core and your abdomen area – everything from coughing to sneezing and laughing, or moving around and tossing and turning in bed at night. It’s been difficult, but I am getting better.”
Garnett eluded that he would probably play under his current conditions, but he admitted it wouldn’t be smart to do so. In the meantime, he has resumed running, and was recently able to do leg lifts while laying on the floor, “a huge accomplishment” in his mind.
“The doctors want to make sure that I’m smart and I’m not doing anything heroic, as they put it,” Garnett said. “They want to make sure that I’m healthy. Obviously, we have another half of basketball to play, and that’s a priority here. I’m trying to be honest and push myself like I always do. But at the same time, be truthful to how I’m really feeling.”
Garnett would clearly like to return to the lineup Friday when the Celtics visit Minnesota , where he spent his first 12 seasons in the NBA. But the difficult part of this injury has been his inability to manipulate it. With previous injuries, he has used extra tape, padding and ice.
Such third parties, however, aren’t useful for an abdominal strain.
“I’m trying to be smart about this injury,” Garnett said. “In the past, I’ve looked at some of my injuries as I’ve been hurt. This is an injury. This is if I make a certain movement, I have to stop right in my tracks. Whatever I’m doing, I have to stop. I’m listening to my body, and I’m being smart.”
Posted by Jeff Howe, Feb. 6, 5:47 p.m.
It's been too long, but don't worry. I missed you as much as you all missed me. Now that the Patriots are done and the Super Bowl is in the rearview mirror, things have settled quite a bit, and the blog will resume regular operation.
So, without further ado, here's a look inside the numbers as the Celtics (36-9) get ready to take on the Clippers (15-30) at the Garden.
The Celtics are 20-4 at home, 0-1 in February, 8-3 on Wednesdays, 13-0 against the Western Conference and 5-0 against the Pacific Division. This is their first meeting with the Clippers this season.
The Celtics announced Kevin Garnett will hold a press conference at 6 p.m., and I'll check back after that.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 26, 3:30 p.m.
Before last night’s game even started, Minnesota big man Al Jefferson raved about how much he looked up to former teammate and Celtics center Kendrick Perkins. And, when the two teams hit the court prior to the opening tip, Jefferson and Perkins engaged in a super-sized hug.
But it was on after that.
Jefferson is one of five players in the NBA averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and he has developed into one of the finest low-post scorers in the league. Perkins, however, has been forced to concentrate on defense and shift his offensive skills to the back seat while he makes way for Boston ’s three All-Stars.
As the night turned, though, Perkins was the most dominant force on the offensive end, scoring a game-high 21 points to lead the Celtics to an 87-86 win at the Garden. Perkins was 8-of-10 from the floor and also had four rebounds and three blocks.
Jefferson, who is the godfather of Perkins’s son, had 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
It was a matchup Celtics captain Paul Pierce was looking forward to watching.
“You could see it in shoot-around that Perk was up for the challenge,” Pierce said. “They were good friends when we were on the team. Whenever they matched up in practice, it was always a battle. Perk knows Al just as good as anyone else just by being in practice with him every day. [Perkins] accepted the challenge. I thought he did a great job on him, making it tough on Al because Al is an up-and-coming All-Star in this league. He can put the ball in the basket in the low post night in and night out. He is definitely improving, but Perk was big on both ends of the court. He’s been getting it done lately offensively, especially when other guys are struggling. The opportunities are going to be there for him, and he is taking advantage of them.”
And Perkins got the proverbial last laugh. With the Celtics trailing 86-85 in the game’s waning moments, Ray Allen drove through the paint and missed a lay-up, but Perkins jumped over Jefferson , grabbed the ball mid-air and dunked home the winning bucket.
“I think I was really over-gassed about it, playing against Al,” Perkins said. “On the court, I think we are rivals. You get us between the lines, we’re going to compete, but after the game, it’s all love. We know about each other. We’re good friends, and I wish the best for him.”
“One thing about Perk is he finds himself in the right position every time,” Jefferson said. “Guys like Paul and Ray Allen, they drive and you’ve got to help. Perk is just right there every time. That’s what he is so good at, and that’s what he did and it hurt us tonight. The reason they won the game was him. My hat is off to him.”
Early on, it looked as though Jefferson would take control and help the Timberwolves run away. He scored eight of Minnesota ’s first 13 points, all at the expense of Perkins, but Jefferson went into witness protection for much of the next two quarters.
A large amount of credit in that department goes to Kevin Garnett, who spent some time guarding Jefferson and getting into the young star’s head. Garnett began jawing at his trade counterpart in the second quarter, drawing a laugh from Perkins, who himself was once at the whipping end of a tirade from Garnett when the two were on different teams.
Perkins more than welcomed the help last night.
“It’s tough when you’re playing against [ Jefferson ] because he’s so quick and he’s got those push shots,” Perkins said. “He’s got a good feel for the ball. It’s crazy. Al’s been balling. If they had a winning record, he might be in the All-Star Game. I just love his game, and I just went out there and tried to make it tough for him.”
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 26, 2:31 p.m.
Just a couple quick things that are lingering off the top of my head from last night's game before I post a closer look at the matchup between good friends Kendrick Perkins and Al Jefferson.
A Minnesota reporter asked what turned out to be the final question at last night's press conference involving Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. In somewhat of a "fanboy" tone, the reporter asked Garnett if he was concerned that the last thing Timberwolves fans would have seen on the game telecast was Garnett grabbing his jersey and pointing to the "Celtics" script as he walked toward the Garden crowd.
"I’m in Boston ," Garnett answered, seeming somewhat annoyed with the question. "I’m not concerned with it. I don’t play in Minnesota anymore. I’m in Boston , and we were at home. It was a huge win. It’s nothing personal."
There was also a period of 33 seconds during the second quarter when five ex-Celtics were on the court for the Timberwolves (It always comes back to the No. 33 in Celtic-land, doesn't it?).
Ryan Gomes checked into the game for Corey Brewer with 4:19 remaining in the second quarter, meaning Gomes, Antoine Walker, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson and Sebastian Telfair were all on the court together. Walker checked out with 3:46 to play in the quarter to end the reunion. In case you're wondering, the new Celtics outscored the old Celtics, 1-0, during that stretch.
The five former Celtics (Theo Ratliff, the sixth on the T-Wolves, was not with the team due to injury) combined to score 58 of Minnesota's 86 points. Interestingly enough, the five current Celtics who were with the team last year -- Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen and Leon Powe (Brian Scalabrine was inactive with the flu) -- also combined to score 58 points last night.
So, if you're scoring at home, the nine players on the court last night who were on the Celtics last season (Walker was not) scored 113 of the game's 173 points.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 25, 11:30 p.m.
Kevin Garnett admitted he’s had abdominal pain at times this season, but tonight marked the first time he showed it during a game. The Celtics announced the injury was an abdominal muscle strain.
Garnett winced in pain after turning the ball over in the paint with 6:46 to play in the fourth quarter, and he signaled to coach Doc Rivers to call a timeout on the Celtics’ next possession.
Garnett immediately went toward the bench holding the left side of his stomach and dropped down to his knees with the Celtics trailing 75-69 with 6:19 remaining.
He then went to the Celtics’ locker room with the medical staff, and returned to the bench with 2:19 remaining before checking into the game with 1:51 to play and the Celtics behind 86-81. Garnett missed 4:28 of game action, but the Celtics outscored Minnesota 12-11 during the stretch.
Rivers was unsure of what to do with Garnett, because team trainer Ed Lacerte didn’t want Garnett in the game while the team doctor cleared him to play.
“I wasn’t going to put him in,” Rivers said. “He begged and said, ‘I’m going to go in if you don’t put me in.’ He was [saying], ‘Please put me in.’ He wanted to [play].
“Kevin was just psycho, which is good. Honestly, it was a tough call. I didn’t want to put him in. He was begging: ‘Please don’t do this. I’m going to go in. Please don’t do this. I want to play.’ It was great what he did. He was fantastic.”
Rivers said after the game his initial reaction is Garnett will play Sunday in Orlando , but it was too early to make a definite call. Rivers and Garnett spoke in the locker room about it, and Garnett tried to convince his coach he was fine. Rivers said Garnett will see a light load of work during tomorrow’s practice.
“I feel like I got sniped from the rafters or something,” Garnett said. “I just had a sharp pain in my stomach, and I just wanted the doctors to look at it. They looked at it and said I was fine. I came back out and won the game, basically.”
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 25, 11:22 p.m.
The script had been written for Kevin Garnett. It was hardly
a fairytale or a feel-good story, and the middle of the plot lacked drama. But
Garnett flipped to the last page and found himself putting the final
punctuation mark on the Celtics’ 87-86 win over the Timberwolves at the TD
Banknorth Garden tonight.
Garnett knocked the ball away from Minnesota guard Sebastian Telfair in the game’s final seconds to help Boston knock down his former team in the first regular-season meeting between the two since completing last summer’s historic trade.
What’s more, Garnett fought through a fourth-quarter abdominal strain, which required medical attention in the locker room as the Timberwolves looked like they were seizing control. But Garnett re-entered the game to a hero’s welcome to help the C’s escape an ugly performance against the NBA’s worst team.
“My philosophy has always been if I can play, if I can run, if I can move, if I can blink, if I can wake up in the morning, I can play,” said Garnett, who had 10 points and 16 rebounds. “I wasn’t sure what the score was [in the locker room]. I could hear the guys in there watching the tube. Knowing that I wasn’t playing well or we weren’t playing well, I wanted to come in there and give them some energy. Knowing I wasn’t probably at 100 percent, I knew I could put forth an effort. Sometimes, that’s enough. … I felt like I sealed the win for us.”
The Celtics (34-7) trailed by as many as six points in the fourth quarter and were down by five with two minutes remaining. They committed a season-high 23 turnovers, including nine in the fourth quarter, and scored just 37 points in the second half.
“We played awful,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “We had the fumbles. We didn’t get the ball to our big [men] all night. They did a good job fronting and backing, but we didn’t handle it at all. That’s what upset me in the game. You’re going to have games where you just don’t perform well. But when you do, you still have to execute, and I didn’t think we did at all. We’re very lucky to win.”
Kendrick Perkins led the C’s with 21 points and scored the game-winning bucket with 16.6 seconds left to play. Ray Allen drove through the right side of the paint and missed a lay-up, but Perkins grabbed the ball mid-air and dunked it to put the C’s ahead 87-86.
On their next possession, the T-Wolves (7-35) got the ball to Al Jefferson by the left baseline and forced him to pass it up high to Telfair. Garnett knocked the ball loose and dove to the floor across halfcourt to recover it as the buzzer sounded.
“I knew it was Sebastian, so I wanted to scoot up on him, try to make him drive the ball,” Garnett said. “I was able to count his dribbles. It went one-two, and I knew he likes to cross over. I just took a stab at it and got it, and then just dove for it. I knew time was running down, and I just wanted to be aggressive on the ball, and I was.”
Telfair scored a team-high 18 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, to go along with six assists and three turnovers.
Paul Pierce had 19 points (10-of-10 from the free throw line), nine rebounds and eight assists. Allen scored 12 points on 4-of-18 shooting and went 2-of-9 from 3-point range.
"We didn't deserve to win that game," Allen said. "But down the stretch, we did enough to pull it out."Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 25, 9:23 p.m.
Corey Brewer hit a fade-away jumper from the left baseline to give the Timberwolves a 68-67 lead after the third quarter. The C's are 3-3 this season when trailing after three.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 25, 8:49 p.m.
Al Jefferson was the centerpiece in the deal that helped the Celtics acquire Kevin Garnett from the Timberwolves last summer. The Celtics selected Jefferson with the 15th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and developed him into one of the finest low-post scorers in the league during his three-year tenure in Boston .
Jefferson is averaging 20.8 points and 12.1 rebounds per game this season – both higher than Garnett’s totals – and is one of five players in the league recording 20/10 numbers. He is coming off a career-high 39-point effort to go along with 15 rebounds in the Timberwolves’ win over the Suns Wednesday night. Jefferson spent about 10 minutes with the media in the visitors’ locker room before tonight’s game.
Here’s the transcript:
(How he felt about the trade)
“It’s a business. Some of the best players have been traded before. I look at is as a sign of respect to be traded for one of the best players in the NBA. I look at going to Minnesota as a new beginning.”
(How it feels coming back to Boston )
“It was. I’ve never been in this locker room before. I’m used to coming to the players’ parking lot. I’ve seen a side of the gym that I’ve never seen before.”
(What the game will be like)
“At the end of the day, it’s just another game really. It’s just good to be back, see some old friends, all the people, even you guys.”
(On Kevin McHale in the hearts of Celtics fans)
“They love him regardless, but Boston and Minnesota are on two different levels. Boston is ready to win, and Minnesota is ready to be built. I look at it like both teams got good deals.”
(On how McHale helps Jefferson ’s game)
“Everything, there’s always something that he can show me. He works with me every day on a lot of stuff. It’s good because he actually played the position, knows what I’m going through, knows what I’m dealing with. It’s good to have a third eye.”
(If he saw the trade coming)
“When [Delonte] West first left [as part of the trade that landed Ray Allen in Boston ], I knew it wouldn’t be too much longer until I was right behind him. We understand that. When we get kicked out of the NBA, that’s when we need to have our head down. That’s when we need to be sad about some stuff. Everybody is still playing and happy, so it’s all good.”
(On his matchup with good friend Kendrick Perkins)
“Perk is the best guy off the court, but when he steps on the court, he’s going to treat you like you are all enemies. I know he is going to go at me and try to tear my head off, and it will be the same with me. Perk is one of the guys I looked up to when I first got here. He came straight out of high school a year before me. He’s one of the guys I look up to. We’re real close friends. I’m the godfather of his baby. But I know he’s going to tear my head off. He’s going to try to at least.”
(On the six former Celtics playing in Boston tonight)
“Everybody was really looking forward to come back today, come play in Boston .”
(On his role as the go-to guy in Minnesota )
“When I was with Paul and the last shot had to be taken, I was happy because Paul was going to take it and all of the pressure was on Paul. I’m that guy now. That’s something I’ve learned to deal with, and I’m happy to accept that role.”
(How he remembers Boston )
“I’d never forget these times and the memories I had here. This is the place that made me really. I spent a lot of time here in the offseason. Guys did a great job working with me. I can’t ever forget it.”
(On Doc Rivers coaching in the All-Star Game)
“He really deserves that because he’s been through a lot in the past few years.”
(On his relationship with Rivers)
“I never looked at him as only a coach. He was a friend, too. He was tough on me. I know that. It was tough love, but I think that’s what made me the guy I am now. He was a lot like my grandmother. No matter what I do in her eyes, I can always get better. That’s how Doc was. That’s what made me just respect him so much.”
(On his health this year after having ankle trouble in the past)
“I could be on the bench and see somebody go up, and I just close my eyes because that’s a painful feeling.”
(What he misses about Boston )
“Just my teammates, even though the majority of them came over with me. Guys like TA, him and Perk and D-West, we were all real close to each other. I just miss them and talking with them all the time. Our schedules are hectic. We don’t talk as much as we should. That’s one thing I do miss, joking on the back of the bus with them. I came in with those guys, and I was close to them.”
(If he watches the Celtics on TV)
“Every chance I get. They get a lot of TNT games now (rolls eyes). Unfortunately, we are at home on Thursday nights, so I watch them. I support them except tonight.”
(Who is the Celtics’ MVP this season)
“I’d really have to give it to Paul because for him to be the main guy here for so many years and them for him to step down and accept the role. Now he’s part of the Big Three with the other two All-Stars. To accept that, that’s a lot to be said about him because a lot of guys wouldn’t do that or wouldn’t accept that role. I had to give it to Paul because he is still keeping the team together and doing a good job.”
(How he felt about hearing the trade rumors)
“When Kevin Garnett said he didn’t want to be traded here, I was like, ‘Yes.’ Then when it started back up, I prepared myself for it. Danny called me like a week before it went down and said there was a strong possibility it was going to happen. I tried to prepare for it, and I looked at it like a compliment. For Kevin McHale to trade his best player and one of the best players in the league for me and the other guys, I looked at it as a compliment.”
(If he was looking forward to the starting lineups being announced)
“Oh yeah, I didn’t even think about that. The fans still love me here and still love all of us really, so it will be good to go out there in front of all of them.”
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 25, 8:40 p.m.
The Celtics have a 50-47 lead over the Timberwolves after the second quarter. The C's are 26-3 this season when ahead or tied at the half.
Gerald Green was asked about his current situation in Minnesota , and the former Celtic shrugged, his face went blank and he tried to force out the most politically correct answer he could muster.
He wasn’t too successful.
“I’m just as surprised as you all are,” Green said before pausing. “I can’t really explain it. Wow. That’s all I can say. I don’t really know.”
Green’s playing time fluctuated during his two-year tenure in Boston . But, fluctuating minutes would be more than welcomed for Green in Minnesota . He hasn’t played in seven of the Timberwolves’ last 12 games, and he’s averaging just 11.9 minutes per contest this season. But he’s only played in 21 of Minnesota ’s 41 games to date.
“It’s very frustrating, especially in a time when your team is not winning, either,” Green said. “It’s very frustrating. I feel like I want to play, and I feel like I should be playing. It is what it is. I’ve just got to wait, be patient, stay positive, and they say they’re going to give me my time, so I’ve just got to wait.”
Green played in 81 games for the Celtics last year and started 26 of them, averaging 22 minutes per contest. He scored 10.4 points per game, and he won the hearts of Boston fans with his dunking ability. Green is scheduled to defend the slam dunk championship he won during last season’s All-Star weekend.
So, after all of that, Green was required by Minnesota GM Kevin McHale to be involved in the trade that landed Kevin Garnett in Boston . When Green arrived in Minnesota, the Timberwolves declined to pick up the option in his contract, and he’ll be a free agent next summer. After falling out of the good graces of T-Wolves coach Randy Wittman, it’s just been a nightmarish ride for a kid with one of the highest ceilings in the game.
“Yeah, I was pretty surprised [about Minnesota declining the option],” Green said. “This year is a pretty surprising year for me. I was surprised about the trade. I was surprised about everything, but it’s basketball. It’s life. It’s full of surprises. The ones that get over adversity are the ones that turn out to be good, so that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 25, 8:07 p.m.
The Timberwolves lead, 30-29, at the end of the first quarter. The Celtics are 8-3 this season when trailing after one.
Gerald Green checked into the game with 2.6 seconds remaining in the quarter to guard Paul Pierce on an inbounds play. Green received a nice ovation from the crowd.
And forget the mixed ovations for Sebastian Telfair. He's getting flat-out booed every time he touches the ball.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 25, 6:45 p.m.
To say everyone was busy before the game would be a bit modest.
Starting off, James Posey (right index finger) and Brian Scalabrine (flu) will not play tonight. Scot Pollard (ankle) might dress but probably will not play unless he's absolutely needed, according to Doc Rivers.
Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and Paul Pierce all addressed the media before the game. Excerpts will follow throughout the night. Keep an eye out for the Green piece: He's not exactly happy with his situation in Minnesota right now.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 25, 5:29 p.m.
We're about two hours away from the start of the Celtics (33-7) and Timberwolves (7-34).
The Celtics are 18-4 at home, 7-4 in January, 11-0 on Fridays, 11-0 against the Western Conference and 4-0 against the Northwest Division. This is Boston's first meeting with Minnesota this season.
If you've been living in a cave this week, this is the first time Kevin Garnett will face the T-Wolves in a regular-season game since being traded from Minnesota to Boston last summer. The Celtics traded Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and two draft picks to the Timerwolves for Garnett. Minnesota used one of those picks on Corey Brewer. And lastly, Antoine Walker plays for the Timberwolves, as well. Walker was part of a multiplayer deal that sent former Celtics Ricky Davis and Mark Blount to the Heat. Ratliff, who has been hurt seemingly since the dawn of time, will not play tonight.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 24, 7:55 p.m.
Celtics forward Kevin Garnett led all players in voting and was selected to start the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, the league just announced.
No other Celtics were selected, but reserves will be announced next Thursday. Reserves are selected by the coaches, who cannot vote for their own players. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he has done some politicking in the past for his players, and he'll do so this season, as well.
Rivers and his staff will coach the Eastern Conference by virtue of the Celtics having the best record by the Feb. 3 deadline. The game will be played in New Orleans on Feb. 17.
Garnett earned 2,399,148 votes, the sixth highest total in league history, and he'll play in his 11th career All-Star Game.
Paul Pierce finished in fourth among Eastern Conference forwards, about 1.5 million votes behind LeBron James. Ray Allen finished third among Eastern Conference guards, less than 200,000 votes behind Jason Kidd.
Pierce should be a lock to be voted in next week. Allen is on the fringe.
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 24, 5:10 p.m.
Celtics rookie forward Glen Davis has noted a couple times this season that he is friends with Patriots running back Kevin Faulk. Both were standout athletes at Louisiana State University, though at different times.
Davis, who was a running back in middle school and high school, has said he idolized Faulk when he was younger. Faulk wore No. 3 at LSU, and Davis said he wore No. 33 on his middle school football team in honor of Faulk -- because No. 3 wasn't available.
I caught up with Faulk today at Gillette Stadium, as the Patriots got back to work in preparation for next Sunday's Super Bowl, and Faulk's face immediately lit up when Davis's name was mentioned.
"I knew that he played football, but I never knew he wore my number or anything," Faulk said. "He never quite brought it up. Me and him have been real close for a long time. I actually went out and watched him play last night."
Faulk, like many Patriots this season, was at the Garden last night to cheer on the new-look Celtics. Richard Seymour, Ellis Hobbs, Adalius Thomas and Jarvis Green, among others, have been regulars at C's games.
"I love basketball," Faulk said. "It’s another sport to get out and just enjoy the Celts."
Davis said he gave up football before his senior year in high school, so he could concentrate on basketball. Former LSU football coach Nick Saban, who has ties to Bill Belichick, tried to get Davis to become a two-sport athlete "a ton," according to Davis.
When asked what kind of football player Davis was in his earlier years, Faulk playfully responded, "He probably could have been a first-round draft pick at tackle."
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 22, 3:15 p.m.
While Paul Pierce seems to be on his way to a sixth All-Star Game and could garner some consideration for league MVP this season, the Celtics’ captain found himself in a precarious situation last summer.
He almost got beaten in a pick-up game by a kid in high school.
Granted, this was no ordinary high schooler. It was Renardo Sidney, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound junior who is widely tabbed as the No. 1 power forward in the nation. Pierce and Sidney share a mutual friend, and they worked out together at the Spectrum Club in Redondo Beach , Calif. , where Pierce got a run for his money.
“He scored a little bit on me, but he didn’t win,” Pierce said with a wide grin. “Damn, he was nice, man. I couldn’t believe he was in high school when I played against him. He’s going to be good. He should be a pro. He made me kind of raise my game up. You don’t want to let a high school guy beat you, so I went extra hard on him.”
Pierce remembers similar stories from his days as a teenager, when he rocked a high-top fade that was typical of kids in neighborhood around Los Angeles .
After getting cut from the varsity squad, Pierce was a star at Inglewood ( Calif. ) High School during his junior and senior seasons. Referring to himself as “fearless,” he remembers working out with some NBA players at UCLA, and he tried dunking on Olden Polynice – about 13 years Pierce’s senior – which almost sparked a fight.
“It didn’t matter who I played against,” Pierce said. “I was a hungry young kid just trying to prove myself, trying to make a name for myself. I didn’t really get a lot of hype real young until later in my high school career, so every time I stepped on the court, I always had to try to prove myself.”
Pierce remembers playing pick-up games with Harold Minor and a number of the Lakers, who sometimes practiced at Inglewood High, including Magic Johnson.
“You can’t touch Magic,” Pierce said. “You can’t even blow on him. Shoot, even when Magic was retired, he’d always win all the games. You can’t touch him.”
Posted by Jeff Howe, Jan. 21, 5:56 p.m.
It’s been easy for everyone in the Celtics’ organization to root for Leon Powe, especially over the past week.
To say the forward has had limited playing time during his second season would be an overstatement. But Powe, whose girlfriend gave birth to his first child, Leon III, last Wednesday, has found a role in the last two games.
Powe was a monster in the second half of Friday’s win over the 76ers — his first game as a father — churning out season highs with 10 points, six rebounds (four offensive) and 15 minutes. And today, he had six points and three rebounds in 14 minutes of Boston’s win over the Knicks.
“He was a man among boys,” Kevin Garnett said of Powe’s performance on Friday. “He was grabbing rebounds, being very active, and I’m happy for the newfound dad. I’m happy for him. It was big for him.”
Not a bad job for Powe, who didn’t see the floor in seven straight games and had remained on the bench for the duration of 23 of the Celtics’ first 37 games. Prior to the last two contests, Powe had played a total of two minutes in the previous 13 games and 60 minutes all season.
“My hat goes off to Leon because this is a guy that hasn’t played in a number of games, and he comes to practice each and every day, works hard and hasn’t gotten down,” Paul Pierce said. “When his name is called, he responded, and that’s what the coaches look for.”
But, just because Powe has come on strong doesn’t promise more playing time from here on out. Celtics coach Doc Rivers has maintained he’ll stick with his nine-man rotation, meaning guys like Powe, Brian Scalabrine, Scot Pollard and Gabe Pruitt need to remain mentally strong and physically ready in order to contribute when they’re called upon.
That’s not a problem for Powe, who went straight to the weight room with a Celtics trainer following Friday’s game, even thou