News 11/5

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1130178&format=text
No landslide, but Celtics win on election night
Texas a Green state

By Mark Murphy | Wednesday, November 5, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
HOUSTON - John McCain was giving his concession speech on the locker room’s overhead TV and Ray Allen, fresh off a 29-point performance that was his biggest of the season, stood silently in place and absorbed every word.

His shooting, which sunk the Rockets and victimized Tracy McGrady, was the difference in the Celtics [team stats]’ 103-99 win over Houston last night.

But with the game over, and the impending presidency of Barack Obama at hand, history was now foremost in the Celtics guard’s mind.

“I saw that Jesse Jackson was crying,” he said. “People don’t realize how historic this night is. Jesse Jackson knew Dr. Martin Luther King, and the oppression that people suffered. Every child, regardless of race or color, is now going to have a better opportunity.

“That was a very classy speech that McCain gave,” said Allen. “Listening to him, he makes me want to be a better American. It was also the type of speech that I didn’t hear him give during the campaign.”

His 29-point night seemed small in comparison. But on a night when the entire Celtics locker room was wired into events outside the Toyota Center, Allen’s display of sharpshooting, with the guard curling off picks and hitting everything from runners to deep jumpers, this was exactly what the Celtics needed for their first road victory of the season.

Kendrick Perkins [stats] and Glen Davis muscled Yao Ming into a disoriented 4-of-14 performance, including a 1-of-8 third quarter when the Rockets center jammed a dunk attempt off the bottom of the rim.

And unlike during Saturday night’s loss in Indianapolis, when the Celtics gave new meaning to the concept of sleepwalking, their performance was sharp.

The tone also mirrored the toughness of a Celtics win over Houston during the exhibition season.

“There was a lot of fake trash talk by both teams,” coach Doc Rivers said. “And there was great execution by us. With Ray playing the way he did, it takes great execution by all of us to make that happen.”

That would include picks - lots of picks - for the smooth jump shooter.

“When we play badly it can be because of what we do on offense,” he said. “We’ll turn the ball over, and take the first shot available. But tonight we got a lot of good looks, and I was on the right end of it.”

The Celtics, clinging to a 101-96 lead with 34 seconds left, were about to confront their most pressing early season issue - poor free throw shooting. Paul Pierce [stats] missed a 15-footer coming out of a timeout, and replays clearly showed Tony Allen foolishly fouling McGrady in 3-point range down the other end.

Rivers protested, insisting that McGrady was attempting to pass before sending the ball skyward at the last moment.

But it was a night when Rockets management probably regretted having their rims wired for sound, for when McGrady missed the middle of his three attempts, the thudding sound had a brick-like quality.

McGrady’s missed free throw left Houston two points down (101-99) with 10.3 seconds left.

After Eddie House was clobbered, he drained both free throws for a 103-99 lead.

Brent Barry air-balled his 3-point attempt, and the Celtics slipped off to the exit polls.

“It’s funny,” said Rivers, his mind turning to Obama. “The guys are celebrating back there in the locker room, and I told them that this is not a black-white thing. But in my lifetime I didn’t know this day would come.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1130184&format=text
Antonio McDyess interests Celtics

By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Wednesday, November 5, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
HOUSTON - The Celtics [team stats], like every other contender, were intrigued by Monday’s trade that sent Allen Iverson [stats] from Denver to Detroit for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb.

But the C’s attention is focused particularly on the Denver side of the deal, with McDyess reportedly set to be bought out of his contract.

According to a league source, the Celtics would be especially interested in bringing in the veteran power forward. The C’s initially attempted to sign McDyess in 2004. He instead chose to sign with the Pistons, who at the time were opening defense of a world championship.

Most observers expect McDyess to return to Detroit after the league’s mandatory 30-day waiting period. But McDyess, reportedly upset by the trade, can expect to hear from the Celtics if a buyout does indeed go through.

Though Leon Powe and Glen Davis have performed admirably behind Kendrick Perkins [stats], the Celtics eventually will need a player with more length to fill the role that P.J. Brown held on last season’s championship run. McDyess, a starting member of Detroit’s front line, would be the perfect replacement for the since-retired Brown.

Walker dresses

Bill Walker was clotheslined by Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady during exhibition season, with the Celts rookie bouncing back to his feet in anticipation of a scuffle. Coincidentally, Walker dressed for his first NBA game last night, though he ultimately didn’t play.

“I just thought since they nearly had a fight the last time, this might be a good time to get (Walker) some minutes - just kidding,” coach Doc Rivers said.

Rivers nonetheless, in anticipation of a physical game, thought the conditions would be a good fit for Walker’s hard-slashing style.

“I just really think he’s busted his butt,” Rivers said, “and he’s very competitive. If Paul (Pierce) happens to get in foul trouble, then we’ll need somebody.”

The other side of the equation was the first deactivation of the season for Patrick O’Bryant, who still is attempting to get up to speed.

“He just has to keep working,” Rivers said. “Sure there’s a message in this, but it’s not being sent by me. He’ll have to play at our intensity and speed if he wants to play. It’s a process for him to get there. He’s a talented, skilled kid who can get more out of himself.” . . .

Inactive Rockets guard Steve Francis (knee surgery) wore a custom-made maroon, velvet jacket with “Barack Obama” spelled out in glitter on the back to show support for the Democratic nominee who ended the evening as the country’s next president.

“All I told our guys was that if you’re going to wear (an Obama) T-shirt, make sure you vote,” Rivers said.

Sam’s club

Sam Cassell’s move into the 2008-09 season is decidedly slower than the rest of the team. The veteran dresses in street clothes for games and turns in his most valuable work during pregame shootarounds.

Cassell’s most important work will come when Rivers truly will need him: down the stretch.

For now, though, there’s no such thing as a Sam Plan.

“There’s no plan with Sam,” Rivers said. “He’s important to the team and he’s helping us out on the floor. Obviously later in the year he’s going to be more important, but I’ll make that decision in time.

“He’s been great. We laugh and joke, and he’s good for everyone. He reminds me of what Kevin Millar was for the Red Sox [team stats] (a couple of years ago). He keeps it loose.” . . .

Rivers already has grown a little weary of talk about his team defending a title.

“Last year was last year and this year is this year,” he said. “It’s not boxing. We’re trying to win a new trophy. We already have the old one.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1130190&format=text
Allen Iverson happy in Motown

By Associated Press | Wednesday, November 5, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | NBA Coverage

Photo by AP
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Allen Iverson [stats] spoke at length about the ways he’s grown as a person and a player, saying he’s willing to make sacrifices to complete his career with a championship as a Detroit Piston.

The former NBA MVP then set himself up yesterday for an exchange that showed he’s mature enough to be the butt of the joke.

“One thing is for sure, I’m going to do whatever the coach wants me to do,” Iverson said.

“Even practice?” Joe Dumars asked, mockingly.

“Practice?!” Iverson replied with a sparkling smile, using the word he spoke over and over in Philadelphia in 2002.

Dumars, the Pistons’ president of basketball operations, welcomed Iverson at a packed news conference and delved into a deal that has created unprecedented excitement for a storied franchise with three NBA titles.

“I can’t think of one that has created this kind of buzz,” said Dumars, who has been a Pistons player and executive for two-plus decades. “He brings a certain stature with him that only a handful of guys in this league can bring.”

The Pistons were close to trading for Iverson from Philadelphia entering the 2000-01 season. Now, they hope “The Answer” was worth the wait.

Iverson does, too.

“I want to be the piece that gets us over the hump,” he said. “I’ve done so many things in this league, being an All-Star and scoring champion and things like that, but I haven’t accomplished my No. 1 goal and that is to win a championship.”

The Pistons acquired Iverson in a blockbuster trade Monday, sending All-Star point guard and former Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, top reserve Antonio McDyess and project Cheikh Samb to the Denver Nuggets.

“This is a big day for us, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say how much we appreciated how much Chauncey Billups and McDyess did for us,” Dumars said. “Much love to those guys because they helped build a foundation to help us become who we are today.”

If Billups completes a physical and paperwork in time, Iverson will play tonight in Toronto. McDyess and Samb have not been required to report to Denver. Barring injury, the 33-year-old Iverson will make his home debut Sunday night against the Celtics [team stats].

“We think he is going to fit with exactly what we stand for here,” Dumars said. “It’s all about winning and being in the big dance at the end of the year. Those are his goals along with ours.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1130200&format=text
Smoldering Dwayne Wade could become Heat’s 5-alarm fire

By Dave Hyde / Sun Sentinel | Wednesday, November 5, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | NBA Coverage

Photo by AP
So what’s the Heat’s biggest concern? Some says it’s at center, considering there is none. Some say it’s at point guard, because four play but none play well. There’s the lack of a bench. The injury to James Jones. The rookie coach.

But all of this sidesteps the issue burning like a small rag fire today, one that could either blow out in coming weeks or ignite the entire franchise: Dwyane Wade already has the look and sound of someone serving an 82-game sentence.

Which leaves only 79 games to go.

And, yes, it’s nearly time to start counting.

Wade surely sees better than anyone the potholes on this roster that say any steps taken this year will be baby ones. So he’s frustrated about losing two of three opening games to NBA lottery teams and stares at young teammates after questionable plays.

He talks of having a hard time getting into the offense "mentally," because of what is or what isn’t going on. He runs through defenses, like suicidal Jim Brown in The Dirty Dozen, before tossing up strange shots.

It was one thing to express his healthy return to basketball in Beijing this summer with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James at his side. It’s another to return to a Heat franchise that looks better only by degrees than the 15-win season a year ago.

So Wade is the Heat’s biggest concern because he’s one of the top handful of NBA players, his contract expires after next season and he can go anywhere. And he might if he’s not happy.

We can talk about how we’d like to see Wade act, how he should lead this team and what a message that would be about who he is if he rides this thing through. But that rarely happens in sports. It’s not just a this-generation thing, either.

Look at this town. Last year, Shaquille O’Neal wanted off the Heat and Jason Taylor off the Dolphins when they saw their careers ending unhappily. But two decades ago Dan Marino, the most respected athlete in South Florida, asked the Dolphins to consider trading him in his prime when the team’s future looked empty.

Ultimately, this conversation is less about Wade than about Pat Riley. He’s off the sideline now but still in the spotlight as team architect. And there are two ways to view Riley in that role.

The first way is that when Riley swings hard he often connects. This goes back to Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway and continues right through bringing in Shaq. Say what you will about how O’Neal left, but he helped deliver a championship. That’s why Riley rolled the dice on him. That’s why it worked in a big way.

Wade should remember that. A ring is what his draft-buddy friends like LeBron James in Cleveland, Chris Bosh in Toronto and Carmelo Anthony in Denver never have achieved.

Wade also should see that Riley hasn’t made an aggressive trade the past couple of seasons because he has been handcuffed by the Shaq contract. The trade for Shawn Marion was swapping headaches. The Minnesota trade that brought Ricky Davis and Mark Blount was a cross-your-fingers move to dump Antoine Walker’s contract.

Riley is in the final stages of this cycle. See what happens with Marion before judging it.

Here’s where you can grade Riley poorly: He has done an awful job developing accessory parts to bridge the cycles. Once he’d strike on an Ike Austin, Terry Porter, Bruce Bowen or Udonis Haslem. Who has helped lately in that regard?

What matters is the Heat has lost two of three games to NBA lottery teams in the Knicks and Bobcats. Wade said Tuesday the team shows flashes of playing well when it moves the ball.

"When we don’t do that, we can be beaten (by) anyone else because we are not the biggest team," he said. "We are not an experienced team. We’ve got three guys (Mario Chalmers, Daequan Cook and Michael Beasley) in the rotation that haven’t really played NBA minutes.

"So we have got to make sure the leaders like myself, Udonis and Shawn continue to lead these guys to play even better than they should right now."

That’s how he can talk on his good days. But Wade wants to win and the Heat isn’t ready to win. That’s the smoldering fire inside Wade that’s small now but threatens to burn down the neighborhood.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/11/05/celtics_fend_off_rockets?mode=PF
Celtics fend off Rockets
Allen (29) helps to get team moving
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | November 5, 2008

HOUSTON - The Celtics have been politically active in recent days, and they were active on the court last night in taking a 103-99 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Motivated to compensate for a loss at Indiana three days earlier, the Celtics took control for long stretches, leading by as many as 15 in the first half, then holding off the Rockets on the shooting of Ray Allen, who scored a season-high 29 points.

But the Celtics, who take a 3-1 record to Oklahoma City tonight, had to scramble as Allen fouled out in the final minute. Allen scored 11 straight Celtic points late in the quarter, starting with a 3-point play off a follow for a 90-86 advantage with 5:50 remaining. Allen's jumper in the lane capped an 11-4 run for a 98-91 lead with 1:57 to go, Kevin Garnett's 16-footer providing what turned out to be the clinching points 58 seconds later.

"This is a historical moment, more than we realize," Allen said after viewing John McCain's concession speech in the locker room after the game. "This is going to make this country better. [Barack Obama] showed it doesn't matter where you come from, who your parents are, if you work hard, Obama became president, and that's what this signifies."

The Celtics set up Allen with a series of screens, freeing him for jumpers against the defending of Brent Barry and Tracy McGrady.

Celtic center Kendrick Perkins (15 points, 4 blocks) outdueled Yao Ming (8 points), his aggressiveness and quickness keying the Celtic inside game early and his outside shooting providing the finishing touch after some exceptional ball movement.

Allen committed his sixth personal foul defending an inbounds attempt by McGrady, whose foul shot cut the Rocket deficit to 101-97 with 33.9 seconds left. Paul Pierce then missed, the Rockets calling timeout with 13.6 seconds remaining. McGrady was fouled behind the 3-point line with 10.3 seconds remaining, lead official Scott Foster reviewing the play and awarding three shots, though Doc Rivers argued that McGrady was attempting to pass. McGrady converted the first and third.

Eddie House then converted two free throws and the game concluded as Garnett rebounded a Brent Barry airball with four seconds to play.

"The game Saturday night was not in character for us," Rivers said. "We set the tone in the first quarter."

In that quarter, Perkins had 5 points and 6 rebounds, his key play a third-chance follow as he drew Yao's second personal, cutting the Celtics' deficit to 13-10. Yao's hook had provided a 13-8 Houston lead, but after he departed, the Celtics outscored the Rockets, 20-9, to close out the quarter with a 28-22 advantage.

The Celtics faltered in the second quarter before recovering for a 58-53 halftime lead.

After Glen Davis's 3-point play gave the Celtics a 43-27 lead 4:04 into the second quarter, the Rockets' second unit rallied. Houston outscored the Celtics, 25-4, over a 4:34 span, taking a 52-47 lead on Aaron Brooks's jumper with 2:50 remaining.

The Celtic starters regained control of the contest, though, concluding the half with an 11-1 run. Allen converted a 3-point play and a 3-pointer in a 29-second span, then hit two foul shots with 67 seconds to play. Pierce capped the rally with a 3-pointer with 43 seconds to go.

The Celtics took an 81-78 third-quarter lead, displaying flashes of the half-court passing game that helped them win the NBA title last season.

They combined strong defense with excellent ball movement early in the quarter. Successive Rocket possessions concluded with a Yao airball and two Yao shots blocked. Rajon Rondo's direction of the Celtic offense led to open shots for Allen, Garnett, and Perkins.

But after Allen committed his fourth foul, attempting to defend a McGrady drive with 2:33 left in the quarter, the Celtics faltered.

"Once he gets it going, he's tough to stop," Rivers said of Ray Allen. "It's very difficult to run and chase him around screens. Paul hates doing it in practice. We thought we could get him shots, he just had to make them."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/11/05/vote_of_approval_from_these_ranks?mode=PF
Vote of approval from these ranks
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | November 5, 2008

HOUSTON - Doc Rivers kept his focus on game preparations before the Celtics' 103-99 win over Houston last night. But afterward he turned his attention to the presidential election.

"The guys are celebrating in there," Rivers said of his players' reaction to Barack Obama's victory. "I told them this isn't a black-and-white thing, don't look at it that way. It's good for America. I don't care who you voted for, America got involved."

Before the game, Rivers had observed, "This is the first time I can remember in sports so many guys being so interested in the results. I've never seen anything like this, ever.

"Players, coaches, everybody talking about it - it doesn't mean they are pro-Obama, pro-McCain, or whatever. It's just that I'm amazed at the interest.

"Kevin [ Garnett] asked me if I was watching the coverage and I said no. I don't want the distraction. I told Kevin, 'I voted, that's all I can do, and we'll find out afterwards.'

"Absolutely, this is something that is historic."


Fast break
The Celtics, who improved to 3-1 last night, had a 13-2 record in November last season.

"If we didn't do what we did in November last year, Game 7 [of the Eastern Conference semifinals] would have been in Cleveland and we would have been playing the Lakers in LA," Rivers said.

The Rockets are also 3-1 now.

"They are a team that has a goal of winning the championship," Rivers said. "They see us as one of their obstacles, and we see them as one of ours."

The Rockets added Ron Artest to join Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, a move similar to the Celtics' strategy last year of bringing in Ray Allen and Garnett to join Paul Pierce.

"If anyone can figure it out in our league, it will be [Houston coach] Rick [ Adelman]," said Rivers. "He's won everywhere he's been. Offensively, his teams have been terrific. In our ranks, he is legendary with the movement he gets from his players, and so if anyone can figure it out, it's Rick."


Active role, sort of
Bill Walker was on the Celtics' active list for the first time last night, though he did not play. Sam Cassell, J.R. Giddens, and Patrick O'Bryant were on the inactive list.

"[Walker] has been busting his butt," Rivers said before the game. "He's a very competitive player, this game is going to be very competitive, and we may need him.

"Just a tough-nosed, hard-nosed player, and if Paul happened to get in foul trouble and somebody else doesn't work out, with Artest you need a strong body."


Transition game
The Celtics are in transition following the losses of P.J. Brown and James Posey, according to Adelman.

"Losing Posey is a big loss for them," Adelman said. "Take away P.J., he was playing a lot of minutes for them, he's so experienced. Posey made shots and gave them good defense. Take that away and it's going to take a while to get it back. They are probably feeling it out right now.

"They are probably the best defensive team in the league."


He'll push them
Pierce believes Allen Iverson, acquired in a trade from Denver Monday, will change the Detroit Pistons' style of play. "I think it helps Detroit in the style they are trying to play," Pierce said. "They are trying to play a little bit faster style. Iverson is one of the great players in our league. The trade can help both teams. A lot of people say it helped Denver more, but how can it not help Detroit with a guy like Iverson in the backcourt pushing the ball?" . . . An Athens daily, Eleftheros Typos, reported that Pierce is considering playing in Greece after his NBA career concludes.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/
Celtics regain winning touch
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff November 4, 2008 10:47 PM
The Celtics regained their winning edge in taking a 103-99 victory over the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center tonight.

The Celtics (3-1) took control for most of the third quarter behind the shooting of Ray Allen, but they had to scramble as Allen fouled out in the final minute. The Rockets are 3-1.

Allen scored 10 successive points late in the quarter.

Yao Ming fell to the floor while rebounding Paul Pierce's miss, flipping the ball to a teammate, leading to a Luis Scola layup, cutting the deficit to 98-95 with 73 seconds remaining. But Kevin Garnett converted a 16-footer and Pierce a foul shot off a defensive rebound for a 101-95 Celtic lead.

Allen committed his sixth personal foul defending an inbounds attempt by McGrady, whose foul shot cut the Rocket deficit to 101-97 with 33.9 seconds left. Pierce then missed, the Rockets calling timeout with 13.6 seconds remaining. McGrady was fouled with 10.3 seconds remaining, lead official Scott Foster reviewing the play and awarding three foul shots. Celtic coach Doc Rivers argued McGrady was attempting to pass. McGrady converted the first and third free throws.

Eddie House converted two free throws and the game concluded as Garnett rebounded a Brent Barry airball with four seconds to play.

Celtics show flashes
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff November 4, 2008 10:22 PM
The Celtics displayed flashes of the half-court passing game that helped them win the NBA championship last season while taking an 81-78 third-quarter lead over Houston.

The Celtics combined strong defense with excellent ball movement early in the quarter. Successive Rocket possessions concluded with a Yao Ming airball and two of Yao's shots being blocked. Rajon Rondo's direction of the Boston offense led to open shots for Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins.

But after Allen committed his fourth personal foul, attempting to defend a Tracy McGrady drive with 2:33 remaining in the quarter, the Celtics faltered.

Celtics recover, lead at half
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff November 4, 2008 09:41 PM
The Celtics set the tone against the Rockets in the first half, but faltered in the second quarter before recovering for a 58-53 halftime lead.

After Glen Davis's 3-point play gave the Celtics a 43-27 lead 4:04 into the quarter, the Rockets' second unit rallied. Houston outscored the Celtics, 25-4, over a 4:34 span, taking a 52-47 lead on Aaron Brooks's jumper with 2:50 remaining.

The Celtic starters regained control, though, concluding the half with an 11-1 run. Ray Allen converted a 3-point play and 3-pointer in a 29-second span, then hit two foul shots with 67 seconds to play. Paul Pierce capped the Celtics' rally with a 3-pointer with 43 seconds to go.

Perk perks up Celtics
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff November 4, 2008 08:51 PM
Kendrick Perkins' aggressiveness and quickness sparked the Celtics in the first quarter against Houston.

Perkins had 5 points and six rebounds, his key play a third-chance follow as he drew Yao Ming's second personal foul, cutting the Celtics' deficit to 13-10 with 6:35 remaining in the quarter. Yao's hook provided a 13-8 Houston lead, but after he departed, the Celtics outscored the Rockets, 20-9, to close the quarter with a 28-22 advantage.

Rajon Rondo scored 10 points in the quarter for the Celtics.

Rivers elects to prep for Rockets
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff November 4, 2008 08:09 PM
Coach Doc Rivers was focusing on pregame preparations before the Celtics met the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center tonight. But the election was in the back of his mind.

"This is the first time I can remember in sports so many guys being so interested in the results," Rivers said. "I've never seen anything like this, ever. Players, coaches, everybody talking about it -- it doesn't mean they are pro-Obama, pro-McCain, or whatever. It's just that I'm amazed at the interest. Kevin (Garnett) asked me if I was watching the coverage and I said no. I don't want the distraction, I told Kevin, 'I voted, that's all I can do, and we'll find out afterwards.'

"Absolutely, this is something that is historic. I am going to focus on this game and after the game I can do what everybody else is going to do."


November Celtics' month?
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff November 4, 2008 03:34 PM
Though the Celtics will have 77 games remaining after meeting the Rockets tonight, they consider early-season contests crucial to their NBA title hopes.

"If we didn't do what we did in November last year, Game 7 (of the Eastern Conference semifinals) would have been in Cleveland and we would have been playing the Lakers in LA," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said at today's shootaround at the Toyota Center.

The Celtics, 2-1, play 16 games this month. They visit Oklahoma City Wednesday and play host to Milwaukee Friday. Next week, the Celtics will play five games -- at Detroit Sunday; home games against Toronto Monday, Atlanta Wednesday, Nov. 12, and Denver Friday, Nov. 15; then a visit to Milwaukee Nov. 15.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/pros_and_colleges/x1500589526/Celtics-103-Rockets-99-Sting-Ray
Celtics 103, Rockets 99: Sting Ray
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By Chris Duncan/Associated Press
Associated Press
Posted Nov 04, 2008 @ 11:46 PM

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HOUSTON — Boston's Big 3 outplayed Houston's trio of stars last night.

Ray Allen scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds and the Celtics shut down Ron Artest and Yao Ming in a 103-99 victory over the Rockets.

Tracy McGrady scored 26 points for Houston and tried to rally the Rockets down the stretch.

The Celtics led 101-97 when McGrady rose for a 3-pointer and was fouled by Tony Allen. McGrady landed awkwardly and grabbed his sore left knee as Boston coach Doc Rivers protested the call, claiming McGrady was trying to pass.

Referees reviewed the play as McGrady walked off the blow to his knee. He was given three foul shots and made two, cutting Boston's lead to 101-99.

Eddie House hit two free throws at the other end with 9.6 seconds remaining. Brent Barry then shot an airball and Garnett caught it to secure the win.

Paul Pierce added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics. Yao went 4-for-14 from the field and scored eight points, while Artest missed 13 of 16 shots and scored 15.

Since acquiring Artest in the offseason, the Rockets have boldly talked about contending for the NBA title. The Celtics proved Houston still has a ways to go.

Yao, Artest and McGrady went a combined 0-for-8 to start the fourth quarter and the Celtics led 93-86 with 3 1/2 minutes left. McGrady converted a three-point play, but Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer at the other end. McGrady then hit a shorter shot and Ray Allen answered again.

Luis Scola scored twice to cut Boston's lead to 98-95. Out of a timeout, Garnett swished a shot from the wing with 59.6 seconds left and McGrady missed a long jumper on Houston's next trip down.

The Celtics ended the Rockets' 22-game winning streak last season with a 94-74 win at the Toyota Center on March 18. Yao missed that game with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Houston feels more equipped to win games like this with defensive specialist Artest. He guarded Pierce from the opening tip and stole the ball on Boston's second possession. Yao, guarded by 6-foot-10 Kendrick Perkins, had a dunk and two hook shots in the first five minutes as Houston took the early lead.

But Yao went to the bench with his second foul with 6:35 left in the quarter and the Celtics went on a 15-4 run, hitting seven of nine shots. Pierce scored only four points in the first quarter, but Rajon Rondo had 10 and Boston led 28-22.

Yao returned with 10:52 left in the first half. With Yao backing off, Glen Davis grabbed an offensive rebound and scored, part of a 15-5 Celtics run. Davis converted a three-point play, drawing Yao's third foul, to put Boston up 43-27 with 7:56 remaining in the half.

Yao went out again and the smaller Rockets' lineup mounted a 25-4 run, sinking nine straight shots, including three 3-pointers. The Celtics hit only one field goal and committed three turnovers in the five-minute stretch, and Aaron Brooks' jumper put Houston ahead 52-47.

Ray Allen stopped the Rockets' run with a three-point play and swished a 3-pointer on the next possession to put the Celtics back in front. Pierce hit a 3-pointer in the final minute and Boston led 58-53 at the break.

Yao missed five of his first six shots after halftime, including a dunk, and Boston stayed in front. McGrady dived into the first row to make a save and start a fast break, then he made a steal and drove for a layup.

But the Celtics hit 11 of 16 shots in the third quarter and were up 81-78 heading into the fourth.

Notes: The Celtics outrebounded Houston 46-41. ... Perkins scored 15 points. ... Brooks scored 12 for the Rockets, but starting point guard Rafer Alston had an off night, going 1-for-6 from the field and scoring four points. ... Houston guard Steve Francis, out with a knee injury, arrived at the arena wearing a red velvet sport jacket with "Barack Obama" spelled on the back in sequins. Francis said he would try to attend Obama's presidential inauguration. "Today is a transitional day in my career and everybody else's career," he said before the game.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/6095183.html
Allen comes through as Boston’s Big 3 trump Yao, McGrady, Artest
By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Nov. 5, 2008, 12:29AM
Game statistics

In a battle of “Big Threes,” the Rockets were outnumbered.


They limited Kevin Garnett. They kept Paul Pierce under control. But no matter how many times the Rockets rallied back, even going in front in the fourth quarter, Ray Allen took over long enough and whenever needed to lead the Boston Celtics to a 103-99 victory Tuesday night at Toyota Center.


As Garnett and Pierce struggled, so did Yao Ming and Ron Artest, making a combined seven of 30 shots. But while the remaining member of the local power trio, Tracy McGrady, could keep the Rockets in the game, Allen did enough to win it.


“It definitely wasn’t our best,” said McGrady, who had a season-high 26 points with six assists and three steals. “They also had two of their guys that didn’t play exceptionally well. We have a Big Three. They have a Big Three. One of their Big Three had a great game. I had a pretty good game to keep us in the ballgame, but it wasn’t enough.”


Allen outdueled McGrady, making 11 of 15 shots en route to 29 points, including 11 consecutive fourth-quarter Boston points that finally gave the Celtics some control down the stretch.


The Celtics, however, could not claim the win until the final seconds.


Allen’s run had built a 98-91 lead with just less than two minutes left. Rockets forward Luis Scola, who finished with a season-high 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting, hit a jumper and then finished a break, cutting the margin to three with 1:13 remaining.


Garnett, who had taken only one fourth-quarter shot, hit a baseline jumper with 59.6 seconds left, and Pierce added a free throw, giving Boston a 101-95 lead with 47 seconds remaining. But the Rockets came back one last time.


McGrady hit two free throws to cut the deficit to four, and on the Rockets’ next trip down the floor, Tony Allen ran through McGrady while he went up for a 3-pointer, sending McGrady to the line with 10.3 seconds remaining. McGrady had made 25 of 29 free throws this season, and he shook off an awkward fall while officials checked the replay to be sure he was behind the line.


Had he hit all three attempts, the Rockets could have pulled within a point and then, at worst, set up a 3-pointer to shoot for a tie and overtime. McGrady made only two, however, and when the Rockets had to send Eddie House to the line, his two free throws put Boston safely ahead.


But the Rockets could point in many directions before getting to that late missed free throw, starting with Yao’s stumbling start. Shackled by early foul trouble, he never found his touch.


“The early fouls changed a little bit of my game but cannot be my excuse,” Yao said. “I played a bad game, probably one of my worst games in a long time. I need to figure out what happened besides just thinking about those early fouls. I think I hesitated, worried about getting another foul. I think I moved not quick enough.”


The Celtics did not make things easy, keeping Yao surrounded with Kendrick Perkins in front and Garnett from behind, a defense made stronger by the Rockets’ inability to rapidly move the ball away from that loaded strong side.


That helped them fall into a 16-point second-quarter hole. Guard Aaron Brooks, however, led the Rockets out. He hit a tough runner, then began a 25-4 run with a 3-pointer as he and Brent Barry combined for 17 of their 21 points to bring the Rockets back.


In the third quarter, they again fell behind by double digits. But McGrady started a break by diving into the stands to save a loose ball, then scored the Rockets’ next eight points to lead another comeback. They even went briefly in front in the fourth quarter, but when Allen hit them one more time, McGrady and the Rockets could not quite match him.


“We were right there, a free throw away,” Barry said. “If Mac makes a free throw, it gets real interesting.

[FLCeltsFan]

newsok.com/allen-helped-celtics-turn-the-trade-into-nba-title/article/3319165
OKC Thunder: Allen helped Celtics turn The Trade into NBA title

Time will tell whether deal was good for Oklahoma City
Comments 0By John Rohde
Published: November 5, 2008
It was NBA Draft Day 2007, literally seconds before the Seattle SuperSonics were about to select Kevin Durant with the No. 2 overall pick. New Sonics general manager Sam Presti announced he had shipped perennial All-Star guard Ray Allen to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West and the No. 5 draft pick, who roughly one-half hour later turned out to be Jeff Green.

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The Celtics also received the 35th overall pick from the Sonics in Glen "Big Baby” Davis.

Boston, which visits the Ford Center today for a 7 p.m. game, pursued the Sonics about the deal.

Small talk became bigger conversations. The Celtics made an offer, and Presti did what he thought was best for the Sonics.

The trade paid immediate dividends for Boston, which won its first title since 1986.

Presti said he is happy for Allen, an icon in Seattle. "I would never have anything bad to say about Ray Allen,” Presti has said. On draft night, Presti said his decision to trade Allen was "tremendously difficult.”

Respect aside, Presti didn’t do what he thought was best for Allen. Presti did what he thought was best for the Sonics/Thunder.

Presti no longer talks about The Trade, choosing to discuss the present and the future, not the past.

Good trades work out well for both teams, so where does that leave this one?

The Celtics are world champions, and the Thunder is scrambling to stay out of the NBA cellar. It doesn’t get much farther apart than that.

The Celtics are working, and the Thunder is a work in progress.

Keep this in mind: In the NBA, you’re nothing if you’re not in the playoffs.

With mainstays Allen and Rashard Lewis, the Sonics were 173-185 overall and had missed the playoffs four of the five years they were together (Allen arrived with 29 games remaining in the 2002-03 season).

That’s not exactly breaking up the Lakers.

Allen’s game had peaked, Lewis was peaking in terms of salary demands, and the Sonics still weren’t getting to the playoffs.

A long-term commitment to Allen and Lewis would have been financial suicide, with no private suite money to help pay the way because the Sonics played in the worst arena in the league.

The Celtics got what they wanted in The Trade.

Time will tell whether the Thunder gets what it wants.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.nba.com/2008/news/features/art_garcia/11/05/boshoupost/

Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty ImagesRockets try to capture magic of Boston's Big Three
By Art Garcia, NBA.com
Posted Nov 5 2008 12:53AM

HOUSTON -- Throw three All-Stars together and it's an automatic title. The formula is fool proof, right?



"We've seen it throughout time, especially when you win a championship," Celtics captain Paul Pierce reminded. "You design your team to beat the champions."

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and sports are a copycat business. Ron Artest admitted as much shortly after getting traded to the Rockets, comparing his new setup to Boston.

The Celtics' decorated trio of Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen met their 2008-09 reflection in Artest, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady for the first time that counted Tuesday night. (The contenders actually staged a contentious exhibition last month in New Hampshire. Yes, in the preseason.)

The Clash of the Tri-tans lived up to the hype, as the Rockets and Celtics traded blows and words for 48 minutes. Balance proved to be the difference, as Boston outlasted the hosts 103-99 before a packed Toyota Center.

"Anytime you play a team of this quality, it's going to let you know where you are," Rockets coach Rock Adelman said. "It's probably the best defensive team in the league."

The Celtics aren't too shabby at the other end. Throughout the night, Boston matched every Rocket burst with a bigger punch. And it wasn't just KG, Allen and Pierce inflicting the damage. They were joined by Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo in double figures.

Houston surged ahead for the last time early in the fourth. Artest, working on the block, barreled into Glen Davis. A block, not a charge, followed. Rivers raged, earning a technical and Ron-Ron stepped to the line.

He drilled two of three and the Rockets were up 86-85 with 7:45 left. Garnett would answer from the top of the key, as Boston peeled off an 8-0 run. Allen scored 11 of his 29 in the final period. Houston made it somewhat interesting down the stretch before falling for the first time this season.

The Celtics improved to 3-1 after their first game against a Western Conference team. Houston didn't get the necessary production from its tripod. McGrady scored 26. Yao and Artest, however, added 23 between them. Luis Scola was the Rockets' second-leading scorer with 21.

"We just didn't play a complete game for the whole 48 minutes and you have to against that team," Adelman said.

That team is a study in selflessness. Doc Rivers showed that three big stars, with egos to match, could not only coexist, but thrive. What's the trick to making the Boston Three Party work?

"I don't know how it worked with McHale, Parish and Bird. I never asked them," the Celtics coach said with a laugh. "With the three guys we have on our team, I don't think it's a trick. I think the trick is they all want to win.

"I don't know if that's a trick, but that's the key. They all want to win. They all know they have to sacrifice parts of their games and different segments of the game to win, and I think they're all open to that."

The C's won their first title since Bird wore short shorts with their triple threat playing together for the first time. Adelman's dynamic of placing Artest on the Yao/T-Mac ticket isn't quite the same as Rivers.

"That's a little easier when it's just one, but it's still not as easy as it looks on paper," Rivers said. "When the ball is going to just one other place offensively, it changes the rhythm of the other two as well. So it's still not easy."

"If anyone is going to figure it out in our league, it'll be Rick. He's won everywhere he's been. His offense has been terrific. In our ranks, he's legendary with the movement that he gets from his players, so if anyone can figure that out, Rick would be that choice."

The Rockets (3-1) actually now distance from "three" talk. The questions inevitably go there -- it's an easy storyline -- but they steer the conversation back to "team." Artest points to guys like Brent Barry as key cogs. Barry brings up the development of Aaron Brooks.

"Everybody has got to do a little bit more," Yao said, pointing out that Shane Battier remains sidelined.

What did a November throw down mean in the grand NBA picture? Not much, really. No one will remember come April or, in this case, potentially June.

But after a spirited preseason battle and a testy Election Night's matchup, circle the three-quel Jan. 7 in Boston.