News 1/13

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1144949&format=text
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett winning ticket vs. Toronto
Celtics do service in OT

By Mark Murphy | Tuesday, January 13, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matthew West
Much is expected at times like these.

The Red Sox [team stats]’ newest pitcher, John Smoltz, was introduced to a roaring crowd in the fourth quarter.

And on the second annual “Tickets for Soldiers” night at the Garden, when more than 600 members of the armed forces attended courtesy of season ticket-holders, 40 veterans of service in Iraq and Afghanistan re-enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard during halftime.

But the Celtics [team stats], struggling to fight out of their roughest stretch of the season, might need this kind of pressure.

Kevin Garnett, featured in a recorded message on the Jumbotron for the assembled troops, parlayed his words of support into a flurry of late-game defensive dominance in last night’s 115-109 win against Toronto.

Paul Pierce [stats] then finished off the Raptors down the other end with a season-high 39-point performance. He played 49 minutes on a sore right knee that nearly kept the Celtics captain on the sideline to start.

In Garnett’s view, the evening’s responsibilities clearly were defined.

“When you see Paul going like he’s going, you let him just take care of the buckets. And I’ll try to take care of the defense,” said Garnett, who had 20 points himself.

Coupled with Sunday’s triumph in Toronto, the Celtics won their first back-to-back games since the end of their 19-game streak in late December. They improved to 3-1 in overtime tilts, prevailing this time with a franchise-record 22 points in the extra period.

“We had no choice,” coach Doc Rivers said of his team’s ability to finally play an acceptable level of defense in the fourth quarter and overtime after erasing a 10-point Toronto lead in the third. “In the first half they shot 54 percent. We got every shot we wanted, but none went in. But we still had no rhythm because they were scoring every single time down the floor.

“We were not going to win if that went on. Even if our shots went in, we were not going to win the game.”

Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani hit a trey with 1 second left in regulation to tie the game at 93 and send into overtime.

But unlike Jan. 6, when the Celtics died on the overtime vine in Charlotte, this time they seemed to get fresher. Pierce hit a 3 with 3:49 left - the first basket of the extra period - and then buried an up-top 20-footer after Anthony Parker’s connected on the baseline.

Garnett, a defensive beast from the third quarter on, pried away the ball from Chris Bosh, setting the floor for Rajon Rondo [stats]’s baseline drive and a 100-95 Celtics lead.

After two drives from the Raptors’ Roko Ukic, Ray Allen (trey) and Leon Powe (post-up) connected to give the C’s a 105-99 advantage with 1:20 to go.

Pierce, now drawing routine double-teams, made the pass to Powe.

“I knew they were going to be sending an extra guy when I drew an offensive foul on the baseline,” he said. “The next time I was able to find Leon wide open.”

Powe drew the foul and missed the free throw, but Garnett muscled for the rebound, giving the Celtics a fresh clock with 1:18 left.

Garnett missed an 18-footer on the ensuing possession, but the Raptors missed twice from deep. Two Garnett free throws made it 107-99 C’s with 43 seconds left - a fitting reward for someone who made it all possible with his dominance on defense.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1144984&format=text
Kevin Garnett sings Paul Pierce’s praise
Sore knee doesn’t slow Pierce

By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Tuesday, January 13, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matthew West
No one was quite sure of what to make of Kevin Garnett’s vocal styling. It wasn’t hip-hop and clearly not r&b. Maybe it was a bizarre marriage of scat and movie soundtrack crooning.

But when asked about Paul Pierce [stats] after the Celtics [team stats]’ 115-109 overtime win over Toronto last night, the Celtics forward started humming, though it sounded more like buzzing, the theme song from “Superman” into the microphone.

“Ya’ll need to start playing some of that ‘Superman’ theme music in the building when he’s going like that,” Garnett said of Pierce’s 39-point, 49-minute performance, all of it on a sore right knee that nearly kept him out.

“This is Clark Kent right here, ladies and gentlemen,” Garnett said. “He was 13-for-26 tonight with 39 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Superman.”

Not bad for a player who, prior to yesterday’s shootaround, was a 50-50 shot in the mind of Doc Rivers to even play.

“That’s Paul,” said the Celtics coach. “There’s players who play the game, and there’s players who absolutely love the game. Paul’s one of those love guys. He’s tough as nails, and he has a love for the game. He’s able to play through pain because of that love for the game, and it’s clear.

“I think there’s a lot of guys who like playing and don’t love it as much, and they miss games like this. Paul’s not one of them. He rarely misses a practice.”

Pierce, who aggravated the injury during a collision with Brian Scalabrine Sunday in Toronto, shrugged.

“Doc’s been around me long enough to know it takes a lot to keep me off the court,” he said. “I was a little ginger, but I was able to get some much-needed rest. (The knee) feels pretty good today. Got a lot of ice on it. It’s just like when you sprain it and then jolt it again.

“Hopefully I don’t hit it again, so it can heal. It’s been a nagging injury, but something I can play through.”

TA still hurting

The news isn’t as good concerning Allen, who missed his fifth straight game after aggravating an ankle injury originally suffered last season.

Allen, his right foot now encased by a therapeutic boot, was ruled out of action for at least the next week.

“I think this is just a precaution,” Rivers said of the boot. “Most of all, I miss Tony the defender in all of this, but we need everything he can do.”

Rivers suddenly needs bodies, with Scalabrine once again getting the start last night in place of Kendrick Perkins [stats] (shoulder), and Gabe Pruitt’s time again set to expand with Allen in street clothes.

Cassell stays put

Even with the current manpower shortage, Rivers’ plans for Sam Cassell remain of the long-term variety.

Until then, the 38-year-old guard remains one of the best paid assistant coaches/sparring partners in the league.

Just ask Scalabrine, who continues to joust with Cassell in a nightly game of one-on-one. Or Rivers, who appreciates having a veteran who can tutor young guys like Pruitt and even Rajon Rondo [stats]. Just don’t ask him when Cassell will log his time of the season.

“I may, but I really don’t want to,” Rivers said of whether to activate Cassell. “To be honest, I’ve held off the temptation to use him. I just don’t want to take the chance. He’s at an age where he has an expiration date on him, and I just don’t want to use him.”

When someone compared Cassell to a carton of milk, Rivers laughed, “And right now he’s the picture on the cover.”

Raptors point guard Jorge Calderone (hamstring) didn’t make the trip.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1144986&format=text
Kevin Garnett makes Chris Bosh non-factor

By Rich Thompson | Tuesday, January 13, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matthew West
Celtics forward Kevin Garnett doesn’t need a compelling reason to play shutdown defense.

But going up against Raptors forward Chris Bosh on consecutive nights inspired Garnett to focus the significant portion of his efforts on protecting the Celtics [team stats]’ basket.

The 6-10, 230-pound Bosh finished with 18 points and 11 boards in 45 minutes. But Bosh was reduced to a nonfactor by Garnett and friends in the decisive fourth quarter as well as during overtime of the Celtics’ 115-109 victory over the Raptors last night at the TD Banknorth Garden.

“Bosh is to me the best or one of the best power forwards in our game today,” Garnett said. “He’s very versatile and I look for that challenge along with the rest of my teammates.”

Bosh played the entire fourth quarter as well as the five-minute overtime and contributed only six points. The two points Bosh produced in overtime were earned at the free throw line. Garnett had devised a solid game plan against Bosh, then executed it with near flawless precision in the final 17 minutes.

The Celtics held the Raptors to 5-of-20 from the floor in the fourth quarter and should have won the game in regulation. Toronto’s Andrea Bargnani forced overtime with a 3-point shot with 1.6 second remaining, tying the game at 93. Garnett’s key contributions in the fourth quarter included timely blocks on Bosh and Joey Graham and a steal that led to a Paul Pierce [stats] jumper and 92-88 Celts lead.

“I just tried to turn it up a notch to tell you the truth,” Garnett said. “I was trying to tire him out, deny the ball, try to do different things and mix up some of my defensive schemes on him and at the same time got to be in help position.”

Garnett enjoyed two significant milestones en route to 20 points and a game-high 12 rebounds in 40:14 on the floor. Garnett made his 1,000th career start and crossed the 21,000 points barrier in the process.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers does not like playing the same team on consecutive nights especially with Bosh stationed on the blocks.

“Bosh clearly wanted to have a better game because he hasn’t played well against us this year,” Rivers said.

“You knew a guy like Bosh would come with more (than he did on Sunday) and he did. But in the fourth quarter Kevin just decided, ‘I’m going to do whatever I can to limit him from scoring.’ ”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1144980&format=text
No gain in Kendrick Perkins’ pain
Center rests shoulder

By Rich Thompson | Tuesday, January 13, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matthew West
The lingering shoulder problems of Celtics [team stats] center Kendrick Perkins [stats] seem to get worse whenever the Lakers are involved.

Perkins was scratched from last night’s game against the Raptors at the Garden because he aggravated the left shoulder, which already has undergone three surgical procedures.

Perkins had it pop loose while challenging the Lakers’ Pau Gasol for a rebound in Game 4 of the NBA Finals last June. That incident resulted in surgery last July.

More recently, Perkins damaged his shoulder in the Celtics’ loss to the Lakers on Christmas night at the Staples Center.

The 6-foot-10, 280-pound pivotman played through the pain for several games before shutting down following the Celtics’ loss at Cleveland on Jan. 9.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers believes Perkins will be inactive for at least a week.

“Usually when it comes out, it’s not that it’s undone the surgery, but there’s been damage and it moved,” Rivers said. “There’s nothing you can do about it, it’s just one of those injuries.

“We just have to basically be lucky because it’s going to go back out again. We know it will, and it’s just dumb luck. It’s not career ending, but it could be a career problem and it has been so far in his young career.

“When it comes out, usually it takes a couple of days or a week or so unless you want to do a shot, which you wouldn’t do at this time of the season.”

Perkins has assumed a pragmatic approach because he’s been dealing with problems with both shoulders since the Celtics drafted him out of high school.

Perkins was weighed down by his inability to help the Celts during their four-game losing streak. He also missed Sunday’s win in Toronto.

Perkins presented a rosier scenario about his predicament than Rivers spelled out. But the former realizes time and treatment are his best options at this point in the season.

“He wants me to sit out a week and not rush it,” said Perkins, who is averaging 8.8 points and 8.1 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game.

“He’s thinking long term, not short term,” Perkins said, “because we know we are going to make the playoffs. I don’t think there is a rush for me to come back right now. I think they would rather have me for the playoffs. Your heart wants you to be out there on the floor, but at the same time you have to think smart.”

The uncertainty of Perkins’ timeline has presented Rivers with a fresh set of problems. Brian Scalabrine took his spot in the starting lineup but not Perkins’ place on the floor. The big man’s absence has forced Rivers to make personnel moves he would rather not.

“It’s tough not having Perk, especially when you are playing power 5’s,” Rivers said. “Now you are stuck putting Kevin (Garnett) on that, which you don’t want because it kills his energy and it doesn’t allow him to roam the way we want him to roam.

“With Perk it has to be frustrating because (this happens) right when he feels good. But this is the second time this year and this is the worse of the two. It actually happened in the first quarter of the Lakers game and he’s not been able, to rebound at all.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/13/celtics_complete_sweep_of_toronto?mode=PF
Celtics complete sweep of Toronto
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | January 13, 2009

A Jumbotron interview in the fourth quarter revealed John Smoltz's intentions to be a Red Sox starter next season. But the Celtics' 115-109 overtime win over Toronto at TD Banknorth Garden last night was a game for them to display their own version of closers - Kevin Garnett's defending and rebounding, plus the accuracy of Paul Pierce (39 points) - as they set a team record for overtime offense in outscoring the Raptors, 22-16.

The Celtics had hoped to limit the playing time of Pierce, who sprained his knee in a 94-88 win at Toronto Sunday and was considered "50-50" last night by coach Doc Rivers. But Pierce went 49 minutes, and was the only Celtic to score during a 5:31 span late in the fourth quarter and early in overtime.

Pierce attended the postgame news conference with both knees heavily wrapped but said he could have gone a few more innings.

"Actually, I feel pretty good," said Pierce, who scored 26 points after halftime, including 9 in overtime. "I could have played another quarter, I think."

The Celtics (31-9) appear to have recovered from a four-game losing streak, but they missed Tony Allen (ankle) and Kendrick Perkins (shoulder), who also will be absent for tomorrow's game against the Nets and a visit to New Jersey Saturday. Brian Scalabrine replaced Perkins at center, limiting the perimeter threat of Andrea Bargnani (23 points) in the first half.

But the Raptors adjusted tactically, limiting Ray Allen's offense after he scored 36 points against them in Toronto Sunday. But after Toronto led by as many as 12 points late in the first half and maintained a 10-point advantage late in the third quarter, the Celtics adjusted and gained momentum.

In fact, the Celtics appeared on the way to a regulation-time victory after dramatic shots by Garnett (with 3:14 remaining) and Allen (2:16) at the shot-clock buzzer, plus Rajon Rondo (1:56) with :03 on the shot clock, provided a 90-84 lead. Pierce had a chance to clinch the result, but he missed the first of two foul shots with 14.3 seconds to go, and Bargnani tied the score, 93-all, on a 3-pointer with a second left.

Pierce scored 70 seconds into overtime, a second-chance 3-pointer, and the Celtics increased the edge to 111-104 on a Garnett free throw with 27 seconds remaining.

"I thought in the first half, we got every shot we wanted and none went in," Rivers said. "But we still had no rhythm because they were scoring every single time down the floor and we were not going to win if that continued. Even if our shots were going in, we were not going to win the game."

Rivers, who has developed a friendship with Smoltz, also got into the baseball lingo mode, comparing the wins over the Raptors to a doubleheader sweep.

"It was tougher than maybe it should have been, but to win back-to-back games in the league during the regular season - historically, it's a split," Rivers said. "It's like playing a doubleheader. And we won them both, so I'll take them."

The Celtics were in their defensive multiple-stop mode in the final quarter but struggled to convert in transition.

Gabe Pruitt's 3-pointer provided an 80-78 lead with 10:55 remaining in regulation, the Celtics' first advantage since late in the opening quarter. A Glen Davis putback extended the edge to 82-79 1:36 into the quarter. But Eddie House missed three consecutive 3-pointers and the Raptors went ahead on a Chris Bosh 3-point play and Kris Humphries drive.

"That was a good stretch for our bench," Rivers said. "I thought our bench gave us the energy to win the game."

Garnett switched into big-play mode in the late going.

The Raptors broke a 6:17 scoring drought on Joey Graham's foul shot, then pulled within 90-88 on Will Solomon's 3-pointer with 86 seconds remaining.

Garnett won a jump ball from Graham, leading to Pierce's pullup with :03 on the shot clock to stretch the lead to 4 points with 24.5 seconds to play.

In overtime, Garnett's steal lead to a Rondo drive for a 100-95 lead with 2:45 to play and he sank four free throws in an eight-second span, providing what would be the clinching points with 27 seconds remaining.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/13/pierce_put_the_hurt_on_raptors?mode=PF
Pierce put the hurt on Raptors
By Julian Benbow, Globe Staff | January 13, 2009

It's not as if Doc Rivers wasn't going to bump into Paul Pierce in the locker room before the game.

It's not as if he didn't know Pierce was getting around on a right knee that he banged up the night before in Toronto.

It's not that Rivers wasn't curious about Pierce's status.

It's just that, when you're a coach, you know not to ask.

Mike Fratello passed down that pearl of coaching wisdom.

"Never ask a player if he's hurt," he told Rivers. "Because they may say yes."

It's a paranoid spin, but it works for Rivers.

Some players will come to you. Say, for instance, Kendrick Perkins.

"He walked right up to me and told me, 'Coach, my shoulder's hurting,' " Rivers said. "He never does that, so you know it must be hurting."

Some players won't, like Pierce. So when they crossed paths, Rivers said, "I didn't even ask. I just walked right by him."

Pierce didn't say anything either, which is exactly what Rivers was looking for.

"Doc's been around me long enough to know it's going to take a lot to keep me off the court," Pierce said.

On a bad knee that hasn't had a chance to get better over the course of the season, Pierce played the most minutes he's played all season (49) and the Celtics needed him for each one in their 115-109 overtime win over Toronto last night.

Pierce stuck dagger after dagger into a Raptors team that wouldn't go down.

He caught Joey Graham sleeping on his first step in the fourth quarter, dribbling by and pulling up for a 12-footer that made it 92-88 with 24 seconds left, seemingly a clincher for the Celtics until Andrea Bargnani hit a three that sent it into overtime.

The extra minutes seemed more like borrowed time for Pierce, but he dominated. He scored 9 more points, but the most impressive play came when he was pinned in the corner, looking to go baseline, only to see Anthony Parker, Bargnani, and Roko Ukic almost forming a soccer wall. It looked as though he was going to try to strong-arm a shot, but instead he hit Leon Powe with a pass under the basket for a layup that gave the Celtics a 6-point lead.

Even under the circumstances, no one expected less.

"I'm never surprised by anything Paul does," said Brian Scalabrine. "Ever."

The Celtics fell behind by as many as 12, but on a night when he scored a season-high 39 points on 13-of-26 shooting, Pierce made a habit of hitting baskets that bailed his team out.

He played the first 17 minutes, and even though he scored only 6 first-half points, he was diving for loose balls, trying to breathe life into busted possessions.

He went into take-over mode in the second half, scoring 14 points in the third quarter and making strips on defense that turned into fast-break layups. With the Celtics down 10, the ball swung Pierce's way on the wing and he hit Ray Allen with a no-look pass that Allen turned into a reverse layup.

Plays like those kept the game from spiraling out of hand, and in the fourth quarter, Pierce made a dish that set up Kevin Garnett for an 18-footer that gave the Celtics an 86-84 lead, their first since 15-13.

"When you see Paul going like he's going," Garnett said, "you try to let him just take care of the buckets and I'll take care of the defense at least. Let that man score."

Rivers says it's become Pierce's calling card.

"There's players who play the game and there's players who absolutely love the game," Rivers said. "Paul's one of those love guys.

"First of all, he's tough as nails, plus he has such a love for the game. He's able to play through pain because of the love for the game and it's clear."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/13/perkins_wont_rush_return?mode=PF
Perkins won't rush return
Center says shoulder gets 'better by the day'
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | January 13, 2009

Kendrick Perkins did his best to be optimistic after he was ruled out of last night's game against Toronto, plus games against New Jersey tomorrow and Saturday, because of his left shoulder injury.

After meeting with Dr. Brian McKeon before the game, Perkins said, "He wants me to stay on top of my conditioning, stay on top of the weights.

"It's getting better by the day and it feels a lot better now. He would rather me sit out a week and not rush it. That's not bad - it used to be by the month. We know we're going to make the playoffs, so there's no rush. I'm sure they would rather have me for the playoffs."

Perkins was injured in the first quarter of the Celtics' loss to the Lakers on Christmas Day, a setback that ended their 19-game winning streak and sent them into a 2-7 slump. Brian Scalabrine replaced Perkins in the starting lineup for a 94-88 win at Toronto Sunday and for last night's 115-109 overtime win.

"Not career-ending but it could be a career problem, it has been in his young career," coach Doc Rivers said of Perkins. "Last year we got away with it, and in Game 5 [of the Finals] he was out. So, you just don't know with it.

"It depends on lineups. The tough part about not having Perk - especially if you are playing power '5's' - you are stuck playing Kevin [ Garnett] on that, which you don't want, because it kills him, his energy, and doesn't allow him to roam the way we want him to roam."

"With Perk, it has to be frustrating. The two games it's happened he hasn't been able to rebound at all - he didn't [against the Lakers] and he had one the other night [in a loss at Cleveland]. That's the reason - he couldn't lift, he couldn't raise his arms.

"He knows he's going to play, but he knows it's going to happen again. The rest of the year, he just has to play through it."

Guard Tony Allen (ankle) is also expected to be out at least until Monday's game against Phoenix.


Overtime pay
The Celtics scored 22 points in overtime, breaking by 1 point a franchise record set during a 135-120 victory at San Francisco Jan. 2, 1963. Paul Pierce led the way with 9 points in overtime. "You'll need to start playing some of that Superman theme music in the building when he's going like that," said Garnett, who then hummed John Williams's theme from the film . . . Guard Sam Cassell will remain on the bench in an unofficial player-coach role. "I held off the temptation," Rivers said. "There were a couple of games I actually thought about putting him in, I really just don't want to play him right now. I like him where he's at. He may have his time. I just don't want to take the chance. He's at an age where he has an expiration date, and I don't want to use it."


Close watch
J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker, recently returned from Utah in the Development League, are also likely to be on the bench or inactive. Walker, who was on the bench last night, added a neck tattoo that reads "1023," his street address in Huntington, W.Va., a symbol of his ascent to a professional career. "You always want to have the opportunity to play but you have to be a realist," Walker said. "I am going to be a good teammate and be there to cheer for my guys." In Utah, Walker said, he concentrated on defending and improving his shooting range. "I focused on my 3-point shot, on taking good threes," he said. "Because that makes your percentage go higher. And I focused on my mid-range game and on defense." Giddens (wrist) and Walker (knee) returned to Boston for medical reasons, according to Rivers. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge visited both players in Utah. Walker had played briefly in two games for the Celtics in October and November. "Mr. Ainge told me I could get in better shape and get game experience, instead of wasting away," Walker said.


Horry in no hurry
Robert Horry has discouraged speculation that he could return to the Lakers. "I'm just hanging out with my family, that's all," Horry told former Celtic Rick Fox during an interview in Los Angeles. Fox said Horry could return for the final 15 regular-season games and be ready for the playoffs. "Oh, right," Horry replied.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/
Celtics win in overtime
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff January 12, 2009 10:06 PM
So never mind how much time Paul Pierce is clocking, even though it's the longest he's been on the court since November when he played 45 minutes on back to back nights against these Raptors and the Atlanta Hawks.

The Celtics have needed Pierce every minute he's been on the court.

Right after Ray Allen hit a three ball from straightaway to make it 103-97, Pierce came down and dribbled into the corner where Anthony Parker, Andrea Bargnani, and Roko Ukic all closed in on him. It looked like he was going to try to muscle up a shot, but he hit Leon Powe with a baseball pass under the basket for a layup that made it 106-99. He just connected for two free throws (he's 10 of 11 from the stripe on the night), he's got four assists, 9 rebounds, and 37 points (a season-high, a point higher than the 36 he threw at Toronto back in November).

The Raptors refuse to stop swinging - they called a timeout with 1.9 seconds left down 6 after Rondo threw a meaningless bounce pass alley-oop to Powe - but Pierce had been hitting them with body blows since the fourth quarter.

Final score: 115-109, Celtics.

Nicholson spoke too soon ... OT
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff January 12, 2009 09:45 PM
They ran the clip from "A Few Good Men" too early

It looked like Paul Pierce had hit the clincher, dribbling at the top of the key until the clock ran down to five seconds, taking a first step that Raptors forward Joey Graham wasn't ready for, bullying by him, and pulling up over Andrea Bargnani for a short jumper that gave the Celtics a 92-88 lead with 24 seconds left.

The "you can't handle the truth" clip played.

Kevin Garnett gave Pierce the "You the man!" point.

They just couldn't get a rebound.

Anthony Parker came downcourt and missed a 24-footer. Garnett and Chris Bosh tossed each other around trying to get it. It looked like Pierce poked it out to the perimeter and Parker ended up with it again. With a couple quick passes, the ball worked around arc to Bargnani in the corner by the fans' side of the court. He pulled up for a three and drained it with a second left on the clock to force overtime (despite a really athletic attempt at an alley-oop inbounds tip-in by Rajon Rondo).

So now, we've got free hoops. Pierce seems determined to prove Jack right, drilling two big threes, grinning after one of them. Add a Rondo lay-up and it's 100-95 with 2:43 of free hoops left.

Too close, man
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff January 12, 2009 09:34 PM
Yes, the game is close (84-up), but in this case, I mean Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh.

Bosh had the ball in the corner by the Celtics bench, and a psycho-eyed, fourth-quarter intense Garnett was so chest-to-chest with him, that Bosh's heartbeat could have put Garnett's lung out.

Then, in a moment some prize-deserving cameraman hopefully captured, Garnett wrapped his arms around Bosh's waist like a donut. He wasn't touching him so it wasn't a foul, but it was almost like he was about to belly-to-belly suplex Bosh. It was the funniest sight of the game, and I hope somebody got a picture.

In more important matters, Garnett just hit the Celtics' go-ahead basket off a pass from Paul Pierce. Ray Allen also hit an instruction tape jumper in front of a hushed Raptors bench. It was 88-84, the Celtics made a couple of big pushes, and after seeing Toronto's bench behind Allen as he ran back to defend, you wonder if they've got another response in them.

Call and response
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff January 12, 2009 09:06 PM
It was only the Celtics' fourth turnover of the game, but after a Rajon Rondo pass intended for Ray Allen that ended up sailing out of bounds under the basket, Doc Rivers called a timeout, you'd think, to gather a team that looked out of sync down by 10.

The first play out of the timeout, the Celtics run their offense, grab a couple offensive rebounds to breath extra life into the possession and Paul Pierce, hanging out on the wing, hit Allen with a no-look in the corner that Allen turned into a baseline drive and a reverse lay-up.

Pierce sparked a run that at one point cut the deficit to 1 after a three in the corner from Scal, and he just stripped a ball that lead to a fastbreak layup for Rondo that made the score 78-74.

But every time the Celtics make a push, the Raptors seem to have an answer. When Pierce made a lay-up, Kris Humphries hit a 19 footer. When Scal hit his three, Andrea Bargnani hit an 18-footer then he drove for a lay-up that made it 77-72.

The question when the fourth quarter opened wasn't if the Celtics would make a push, because they did. Eddie House hit a three to cut it to 78-77, Gabe Pruitt just pulled another from in front of the Raptors bench to give the Celtics their first lead since it was 15-13 at 4:32 in the first quarter). It was whether if they would keep Toronto from responding.

After that run, Chris Bosh just made a Youtube clip out of Glen Davis and converted the and-1, evening things at 82. The Celtics missed their next two shots.

Slight tangent
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff January 12, 2009 08:45 PM
He only hit two shots all half, but Jason Kapono's jumper is pretty enough to make me want to go searching for online highlight reels.

Some of the stuff was good. Some of it was boring. But this was just kind of weird and at the same time sort of funny. A random "NBA correspondent" got a camera, followed Kapono from locker room to locker room, and just waited for him to say funny stuff. For instance, there's a line about his former Heat teammate (and former Celtic) Ricky Davis worth checking out.

Anyway, halftime just ended. The Celtics are down, 54-45, thanks to Toronto's bigs (Bosh: 10 points 5 boards; Bargnani: 10 and 6), and a second-half run that got the Raptors' lead up to 53-41 at one point after Kapono drilled an 18 footer.

The Celtics came out and closed it to 4 on a Scalabrine three-ball and a jumper. After making eight threes last night, Ray Allen's only taken two tonight. Paul Pierce just hit one that kept the Celtics from sliding into a hole, holding the score at 66-57.

More later.

Captain looks fine
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff January 12, 2009 08:05 PM
Paul Pierce hasn’t been off the court yet. One of the things Doc Rivers talked about before the game was how he felt like he had to keep Pierce on the floor yesterday after he banged his knee, because he didn’t want Pierce to get stiff on the bench.

No one’s a doctor (Rivers actually heard that pun from a reporter in pre-game), but if Pierce’s knee is bothering him, it’s not showing. On top of being the Celtics' top option on offense, taking a team-high eight shots and scoring a team-high 9 points, Pierce is diving on the floor for loose balls trying to keep plays alive.

The Raptors' frontcourt (sans Jermaine O’Neal, battling his own knee problems the past few days) has been killer, though. Bosh and Bargnani are up to a combined 18 points and 10 rebounds and they’re a combined 4 for 4 from the free throw line.

It’s 35-21 at the 7:00 mark and Pierce just left the court for the first time. Chris Bosh looks pretty nasty, but if there’s a positive sign, Leon Powe just ripped a rebound from over him.


Raptors, 21-19
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff January 12, 2009 08:03 PM
The crowd’s really impatient with Scal. He can’t even work his triple threat for a second or two before they start rumbling all irritated.

It’s sort of weird because they didn’t get nearly as mad at him for letting Chris Bosh pull up in his face for an easy baseline jumper, or letting Andrea Bargnani get by him with a couple of easy layups.

The Raptors are up, 21-19, and Bosh and Bargnani have combined for five of their eight field goals. Scal’s been the defender on at least three of them.

He’s working, but he’s got a tough job.


Hello from the Garden
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Julian Benbow, Globe Staff January 12, 2009 07:51 PM
Despite exhaustive efforts at persuasion (by which I mean an offering of SoBe green tea), the Globe’s tyrannical higher-ups (which is more like the friendly supervisor four sets of cubicles over) has the Dzen master trapped at 135 Morrissey Boulevard (which is more like, they had him finish up his dotcom shift). So your friendly fill-in’s back at it.

The Celtics and Raptors are finishing up their Toronto-Boston flip-flop tonight at the Garden. Word is that the folks at the Air Canada Centre are trying to figure out a way to move the opponent’s three-point line somewhere near halfcourt after Ray Allen hit eight threes in the Celtics' 94-88 win last night.

No word on how things are coming along, but here are a few things you might want to know before tip.

***The Captain’s a go, but no Perk and no T.A.
Rivers said Paul Pierce is fine after banging knees with Brian Scalabrine. “He’s so tough,” Rivers said. At the same time, Rivers says he doesn’t expect either Kendrick Perkins or Tony Allen back before next week sometime. Perkins got the word from Dr. Brian McKeon that his shoulder (which no on was willing to say completely came out) wasn’t in good enough shape for him to get back on the court tonight after sitting out yesterday’s game. Perkins is taking the attitude that it’s better to have this happen now than later, but Rivers admitted it’s not easy. “For Perk, it’s got to be frustrating. Because [it acts up] right when he feels good. He knows he’s going to play, he knows he’s going to get right, but he just knows it could happen again.” With Perkins out, Scal got the nod at the five. No idea how the rotation will play out.

***Doc’s not necessarily counting on the D-League returnees
They’re happy to be back up — although they’ll say it’s a tough question whether it’s better to be here on the bench or down there not playing — but Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens don’t necessarily know their immediate roles, and neither does Doc. When asked if any of the young guys could contribute, Rivers said “maybe Pat,” calling out Patrick O’Bryant, but said he hadn’t seen enough of Walker or Giddens to get either of them on the floor.

***This back-to-back against the same team is as weird to Chris Bosh as it is to you, but he told Doug Smith of the Toronto Star it’s sort of helpful at the same time: "It's a little easier to make adjustments because you saw him last night and you can kind of tweak a couple of things," said Bosh of the rare back-to-back series. "It's like practising almost – you know what plays they're going to run and you know what they're going to come at you with. We can probably fix those baseline drives and that penetration." (note: for absolute authenticity the spelling of “practise” was left in its natural Canadian state)

The C’s are up 14-7 early with five points from Paul Pierce and a three-ball from Scal and a highlight-reel lob from Ray Allen (faking a finger roll) to Kevin Garnett (following up with a dunk). No subs yet for the Celtics.

More to come.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/pros_and_colleges/x414846892/Celtics-115-Raptors-109-Garnetts-D-key-in-OT-win
Celtics 115, Raptors 109: Garnett's 'D' key in OT win

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By Scott Souza/Daily News staff
MetroWest Daily News
Posted Jan 13, 2009 @ 12:06 AM

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BOSTON — Throughout his five-year career, Raptors superstar-in-waiting Chris Bosh has many times been called The Next Kevin Garnett.

Last night at the TD Banknorth Garden, the original model gave the youngster a lesson in fight and fury as the 32-year-old Garnett pestered, prodded and punished the 24-year Bosh throughout an exhausting 115-109 overtime victory.

Though the stat lines were nearly identical - Bosh finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Garnett ended at 20 points and 12 boards - it was the elder Garnett who got up in Bosh's face and willed the game out of his frustrated counterpart in perhaps his most spirited effort of the season.

"I just tried to turn it up a notch, to tell you the truth," said Garnett. "Try to tire him out, deny the ball, try to do different things, mix up some of my defensive schemes on him, and at the same time be in the help position to do all the stuff (needed)."

"He was terrific," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "All night. (Sunday night) too. He clearly took some offense away from them. He expended everything on defense today."

Paul Pierce found the strength to deliver 39 points in 49 minutes in the second night of a home-and-home series, while Leon Powe delivered a critical 10 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench with starting center Kendrick Perkins (left shoulder) out for the second straight game.

As Garnett serenaded Pierce with the theme to "Superman" for his big offensive night following the game, the captain said his banged knee felt well enough for him to keep driving to the basket through the extended minutes.

"Doc's been around me long enough to know that it takes a lot to keep me off the court," Pierce said. "I was a little ginger, but I was able to get some much needed rest (with the early game Sunday). I was just in there and I felt pretty good."

"That's Paul," Rivers said. "There's players who play the game, then there's players who absolutely love the game. Paul's one of those love guys. He's tough as nails. He's able to play through pain because of his love of the game."

After Pierce kept the C's in the game with a 14-point third quarter, Garnett appeared to summon the victory out of he and his tired teammates with an emotional fourth. But a late 3-pointer from Andrea Bargnani tied the score with a second to go and forced the C's into an extra five minutes.

Pierce hit a second-chance 3-pointer and knocked down a long jumper for the Boston's first five points of overtime before Garnett's strip of Bosh and Rajon Rondo's finish made it 100-95 with 2:43 left in the extra session.

Ray Allen extended the lead to six when he ripped through a 3-pointer as the clock ticked under two minutes to go. Though Roko Ukic's second straight drive on Rondo got the Raptors back within four, Powe drove for a hoop and Garnett scored while getting fouled, though he missed the free-throw.

Foul shots from Pierce and Garnett salted the game away in the final minute.

The Celtics came back from deficits of 10 points midway through the third and 78-74 entering the fourth.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x414846904/Celtics-Notebook-Perkins-hurting
Celtics Notebook: Perkins hurting

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By Scott Souza/Daily News staff
GHS
Posted Jan 13, 2009 @ 12:33 AM

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BOSTON — Following surgeries on his left shoulder after two of the past three seasons, Celtics center Kendrick Perkins declared with a combination of hopefulness and determination that the operation would cure the problematic joint once and for all.

It appears now that leaving his shoulder problems in the past was wishful thinking.

For the second time this season, Perkins is out of the lineup with a shoulder strain with both the starting center and Celtics coach Doc Rivers saying before last night's game against the Raptors that the latest flare up will cost him at least a week.

Though Perkins portrayed the decision to sit an extended stretch as a precautionary call from team physician Dr. Brian McKeon, Rivers said before the game the shoulder dislocated at least briefly during Friday night's loss in Cleveland.

"When it comes out, it usually takes a couple of days, maybe a week (to come back), unless you want to do a shot, which you wouldn't do at this point of the season," Rivers said.

Rivers said both Perkins and reserve swingman Tony Allen (sprained right ankle) would miss at least the next two games. Last night's absence was Allen's fifth missed game in a row.

"They are out at least until the early part of next week, maybe longer," Rivers said.

Of greater concern is the Perkins injury and how it may affect him the rest of the season, if not longer.

"Once it goes out, we're basically going to have to be lucky with it," Rivers said. "It's going to go back out again. You know that. When and what day? We have no idea. But we know it will. It's just about luck.

"It's not career-ending, but it could be a career problem. It has been already."

Perkins indicated he would rather miss a few games in January than one in May or June.

Perkins said he did not think the recent strain was related to his latest surgery in early July that forced him to miss part of training camp.

"Usually it means when it comes out, it's not undone the surgery, but it's done some damage," Rivers acknowledged. "With Perk, it has to be frustrating. It's (happened) just when he starts to feel good. It's his second time this year. This is the worse of the two. In the two games it's happened (the first Christmas Day against the Lakers), he's not been able to rebound at all and that was the reason. He couldn't lift it. He couldn't raise his arm."

Brian Scalabrine started at power forward for the second straight game - both against the Raptors - with Kevin Garnett moving to center. Rivers said the lineup would depend on matchups until Perkins returns.

***

Though Paul Pierce was slowed with a sore right knee after Scalabrine banged into it during Sunday's 94-88 victory in Toronto, the captain assured Rivers early yesterday he would be a go for the second part of the home-and-home series.

"His knee is sore, but he just scuffed it off like 'Of course, I'm playing.' That's just Paul," Rivers said. "I was concerned. I thought it was 50/50 coming to the arena." ...

Even with Allen's offense missing from the reserve unit, Rivers said it was unlikely he will turn to Sam Cassell for a burst of veteran scoring savvy.

"He may (play), but I don't want to right now," the coach said. "I've held off the temptation. There's been a couple of games where I thought about putting him in, but I just don't really want to play him right now. I like him where's he's at. He may have his time.

"He's at an age (39) where he has an expiration date and I don't want to use it."

Cassell and recent NBDL call-up Bill Walker were in uniform last night, while fellow rookie and NBDL returnee J.R. Giddens was on the inactive list.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.telegram.com/article/20090113/NEWS/901130592/1009/SPORTS
A new streak for C’s

Pierce dons his Superman suit

By Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
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BOSTON — It may pale in comparison to the 19 games they won in a row earlier this season to set a franchise record, but the Celtics finally have put together another winning streak.

It wasn’t easy, though.

The Celtics overcame a 10-point deficit midway through the third quarter and Andrea Bargnani’s game-tying 3-pointer with one second left in regulation to beat the Raptors in overtime, 115-109, last night at the Garden.


The Celtics have won two in a row for the first time since Dec. 21 and 23, the last two games of their 19-game winning streak. Boston also beat the Raptors, 94-88, in Toronto on Sunday. The Celtics had lost seven of their previous nine.

Paul Pierce wasn’t sure if he’d be able to play after banging knees with teammate Brian Scalabrine Sunday, but the Celtics captain played 49 minutes and 24 seconds while scoring 39 points, both the most by a Celtic this season. The Celtics captain also grabbed nine rebounds and made 13 of 26 field-goal attempts and 10 of 11 free throws. His only missed foul shot came with 14.3 seconds left in regulation and allowed Bargnani to force overtime by hitting a 3-pointer from the corner.

Pierce opened the OT with a 3-pointer to put Boston back on top for good and he scored nine of his team’s 22 points in the extra session.

“Actually, I feel pretty good,” Pierce insisted. “I could have played another quarter.”

“First of all, he’s tough as nails,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “Plus, he has such a love for the game. He’s able to play through pain because of the love for the game.”

“You’ll need to start playing,” Kevin Garnett suggested, “some of that Superman theme music in the building when he (Pierce) is going like that. This is Clark Kent right here, ladies and gentlemen.”

Garnett then even sang the Superman song.

“I’ll be Batman,” Garnett said. “I’ll be Robin. I’ll be anybody you want me to be. I’ll be the garbage man. But this is Clark Kent right here.”

Garnett collected 20 points and 12 rebounds to help the Celtics beat Toronto for the eighth time in their last nine meetings.

“These games are tough, these back-to-backs,” Rivers said. “You rarely win them both. So there’s a lot of good things about this win.”

The 22 points broke the franchise record for most scored in an overtime period. The Celtics scored 21 on Jan. 2, 1963, in a 135-120 victory at San Francisco.

Ray Allen, who scored 36 Sunday, poured in only 12 yesterday, but his 3-pointer with 2:10 in overtime pushed Boston’s lead to 103-97. Scalabrine hit three 3-pointers and scored a season-high 11 points while starting at center in place of the injured Kendrick Perkins. Leon Powe contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds, but Rivers liked his defense even more.

“I thought that was Leon’s best defensive game of the year,” Rivers said.

Bargnani led Toronto with 23 points and 8 rebounds. Chris Bosh ranks seventh in the NBA in scoring with a 23.6 average, but Garnett limited him to 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting last night after he made just 5 of 16 shots and scored just 15 points on Sunday. Asked if he thought a rivalry was developing between he and Bosh, Garnett replied, “No.” But it’s obvious that Garnett gets up to play him.

“You work hard to get open,” Bosh said, “then he overplays you and then he has help behind him. So it’s a tough aspect of the game.”

The Celtics almost blew a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter Sunday when they surrendered 33 points, but they turned up their defense in the fourth last night, holding the Raptors to 5-of-20 shooting and 15 points. Toronto shot 53.8 percent (28 of 52) in the first three quarters to take a 78-74 lead.

Garnett and Allen hit back-to-back jumpers as the shot clock expired to give Boston an 88-84 lead with 3:15 left. Rajon Rondo’s 5-foot floater pushed the lead to 90-84 with 2:16 remaining.

After Pierce made 1 of 2 from the line with 14.3 seconds left in regulation, Anthony Parker missed a trey, but Toronto grabbed the rebound and Bargnani drained his tying 3.

Toronto went ahead, 84-82, on a Kris Humphries drive with 8:12 left in the fourth, but the Raptors didn’t score again for more than six minutes.

In addition to Perkins (sore shoulder), the Celtics played without reserve guard Tony Allen (sprained ankle). Toronto didn’t have two of its top three scorers, Jermaine O’Neal (sore knee) and Jose Calderon (strained hamstring).

[FLCeltsFan]

www.telegram.com/article/20090113/NEWS/901130614/1009/SPORTS
Pierce plays, but injuries piling up

CELTICS NOTES

By Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
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BOSTON — Celtics captain Paul Pierce played last night despite a sore right knee, but injuries are expected to sideline Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen until next week.

Perkins was instructed by team physician Dr. Brian McKeon to sit out until Monday to rest his sore left shoulder, but the Celtics may not want to rush Perkins back even that soon.

The Celtics are scheduled to host the Phoenix Suns on Monday so Perkins will have to go up against Shaquille O’Neal. One whack across his shoulder from Shaq and Perkins could be sidelined for a lot longer.


Perkins’ shoulder kept him out of Game 5 of the NBA Finals and he had surgery on it for a second time last summer. The 6-foot-10 center has missed three games this season with shoulder soreness, at Golden State on Dec. 26 and the past two games against Toronto.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers expects Perkins’ shoulder to be a problem on and off all season.

“Once it goes out,” Rivers said, “basically we’re just going to have to be lucky. It’s going to go back out. You know that. When and what day, we have no idea, but we know it will. It’s just bum luck.”

Perkins said the shoulder feels better than it did a couple of days ago, but Dr. McKeon wanted him to sit out a week anyway.

“I guess it wasn’t that bad,” Perkins said, “because usually when he says something it is usually a month.”

Perkins is averaging 8.8 points and 8.1 rebounds, both career highs. But when his shoulder is bothering him, he can’t reach up to rebound. Brian Scalabrine, averaging only 2.2 points and one rebound, started at center in Perkins’ place for the second game in a row. Leon Powe started in place of Perkins last month. Rivers refuses to shift Kevin Garnett from power forward to center.

“It kills his energy,” Rivers said, “and doesn’t allow him to roam the way we want him to roam.”

Toronto played without two starters, center Jermaine O’Neal and point guard Jose Calderon.

Rivers suffered a similar shoulder injury during his playing days. A cortisone shot could alleviate the pain in Perkins’ shoulder, but Rivers said the Celtics prefer that he rest at this point in the season.

“You know we’re going to make the playoffs,” Perkins said, “so I don’t think there’s any rush for me to come back right now. I think they’d rather have me for the playoffs than now.”

Pierce wasn’t sure if he’d be able to play last night after banging knees with Scalabrine Sunday in Toronto, but the knee didn’t stiffen up on him and he scored a season-high 39 points. Pierce hyper-extended the same knee when Utah’s Mehmet Okur fell on him on Dec. 15.

Allen missed his fifth consecutive game last night with a sprained ankle and Rivers said he doesn’t expect Allen back until next week either. Allen wore a protective boot last night.

The ankle also sidelined Allen for two games in December. Rivers continues to resist the urge to play veteran guard Sam Cassell in Allen’s absence, preferring to save the 39-year-old veteran for the playoffs. Cassell hasn’t played this season.

“I just don’t want to take the chance,” Rivers said. “He’s at the age where he’s got an expiration date and I don’t want to use it.”

Rookies won’t see action
Rookies Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens have been recalled from the Utah Flash of the NBDL, but Rivers doesn’t plan to play either of them.

The Celtics recalled Walker to check out his troublesome knees and Giddens to tend to his injured wrist. Walker insisted his knees felt fine.

Walker isn’t sure if he’d be better off playing in Utah or sitting with the Celtics.

“That’s hard to make a choice,” Walker said. “As a player, you want to play, you want to be out there, but at the same time you want to be with your teammates up here. When we’re up here, we try to make the best of our time and when we’re down there we do the same.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.patriotledger.com/sports/x414846922/Pierce-shakes-off-knee-injury-to-lead-Celtics-past-Raptors-again?view=print
Pierce shakes off knee injury to lead Celtics past Raptors again

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The Patriot Ledger
Posted Jan 13, 2009 @ 12:26 AM

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QUINCY — BOSTON – The thought crossed the mind of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers for a brief time during the day on Monday.

After watching Paul Pierce aggravate a right knee injury against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday afternoon, Rivers figured he might have to miss the rematch on Monday night.

Then Rivers realized who he was dealing with and knew there was no way the Celtics captain would sit out a game if he didn’t absolutely have to.

The two have been together since 2004, and Rivers has watched Pierce play through pain on numerous occasions.

It was hardly a surprise to Rivers that Pierce was not only able to face the Raptors in the back end of a home-and-home series, but that he excelled.

Pierce shook off the knee ailment to score a season-high 39 points and help the Celtics sweep the Raptors, 115-109, in overtime. He had 26 points after halftime, making 8 of 14 shots in the final 29 minutes.

“That’s Paul,” said Rivers, whose team has won consecutive games for the first time in 2009. “There’s players who play the game, and there’s players who absolutely love the game. Paul’s one of those love guys.

“First of all, he’s tough as nails. Plus, he has such a love for the game. He’s able to play through pain because of the love for the game and it’s clear.

“I think there’s a lot of guys who like playing and don’t love it as much, and they miss games like this. Paul’s not one of them. He rarely misses a practice.’’

Pierce has been dealing with a sore knee for a couple of weeks, and the injury was aggravated when he collided with teammate Brian Scalabrine during the first quarter on Sunday.

Though he went 41 minutes in that victory, there was some question as to Pierce’s availability, depending on how the knee responded to treatment and rest.

There were no problems, though, as Pierce went 49:24, made 13 of 26 shots and grabbed nine rebounds. He also scored nine points in overtime, helping the Celtics set a franchise record with 22 in the extra session.

That broke the team mark that had been set on Jan. 2, 1963 in a win at San Francisco.

“Actually, I feel pretty good,’’ said Pierce. “I could play another quarter, I think. It feels pretty good today. I’ve had a lot of ice on it.

“It’s like when you sprain it and jolt it again. Hopefully, I don’t hit it again so it can heal. It’s been a nagging injury, but something I can play through.’’

Pierce had 14 of his points in the third quarter, but he missed a critical foul shot in the closing seconds that opened the door for a game-tying Andrea Bargnani 3-pointer with one second to go.

He made up for that by hitting back-to-back jumpers to open the overtime, then fed Leon Powe for a layup that gave the Celtics a six-point lead.

With Kevin Garnett setting the tone on defense, especially in the final 17 minutes against Chris Bosh, Pierce took care of the offense, getting into one of his grooves.

“When you see Paul going like he’s going, you try to let him just take care of the buckets, and I tried to take care of the defense,’’ said Garnett. “You all need to start playing some of that Superman theme music in the building when he’s going like that.’’

Garnett then proceeded to hum the theme song from Superman, leaving Pierce embarrassed as he sat a few feet away.

Superman may be stretching a bit, but Pierce proved once again he is capable of shoving the pain to one side and coming through.

“Doc’s been around me long enough to know it takes a lot to keep me off the court,’’ said Pierce. “I was a little ginger, but I was able to get some rest – some much needed rest – last night and this morning.

“I jumped in my hyperbaric chamber and I think that helped. Kevin put me on the hyperbaric chamber and I felt pretty good today.’’

[FLCeltsFan]

www.projo.com/celtics/content/sp_bb_celtics_journal_13_01-13-09_RACUJDM_v8.3f11e45.html
Perkins out until at least next week

08:36 AM EST on Tuesday, January 13, 2009

BY ROBERT LEE
Journal Sports Writer

Perkins
BOSTON — Kendrick Perkins missed his second consecutive game last night after separating his surgically-repaired shoulder last week.

The 6-foot-10, 280-pound center said that he will not return to Boston’s lineup until early next week at the earliest.

“I was told to sit out a week so I guess I’m out until Monday,” said Perkins, who is averaging a career-best 8.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this year.

Perkins saw Boston physician Brian McKeon about the injury and McKeon told him to rest his shoulder for at least a week.

“It does feel better,” Perkins said. “It gets better by the day.”

Perkins said he is in no rush to return because he believes the Celtics are good enough to win games without him right now, and he wants to be 100 percent healthy when the playoffs arrive.

His heart is telling him to play, but his head and his doctor are telling him to sit out.

“Our team is still good without me so my heart is telling me to go out there on the floor. But at the same time you have to think smart,” Perkins said.

Boston coach Doc Rivers said that Perkins’s shoulder issues could be problematic his entire career.

“It’s not a career-ending injury but it could be a career problem,” he said. “It has been so far in his young career. Last year we got away with it. … You just don’t know with it. I had that injury late [in my career]. It’s not a fun injury.”

“He knows he’s [eventually] going to play. He knows he is going to get it right but he knows it could happen again,” Rivers added. “It’s just dumb luck. The rest of this year he’s got to play through it.”

With Perkins out, the Celtics started Brian Scalabrine last night.

Rookies are in town

Boston rookies Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens were in attendance last night.

The Celtics recalled the pair from Utah of the NBDL on Jan. 8.

They certainly made their presence felt in Utah.

Walker averaged 18.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while knocking down 55.7 percent of his shots, while Giddens averaged 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and connected on 53.5 percent of his shots.

Walker said he learned a lot while playing for Utah.

“I learned how to pick my spots and learned what I can use to be successful on the court,” Walker said. “It was pretty much like a trial-and-error on offense. I just focused on my 3-point shooting. I was focusing on taking good three’s to make my percentage higher. I worked on my mid-range game and I just tried to get better on defense.”

Walker said that there is a big difference in talent between the D-League and the NBA, but said that there is a lot of competition in the D-League because everyone there is trying to make a name for themselves.

“The guys up here are great but down there you’ve got guys like me that are good but not at that [NBA] level,” Walker said. “At the same time, it’s a very serious league down there. There are a lot of guys that are just starving to get a shot up here. It’s very competitive.”

Tony Allen remains sidelined

Backup guard Tony Allen missed his fifth straight game with a right ankle injury last night.

Rivers said he doesn’t expect Allen, who is wearing a walking boot for “precautionary reasons,” to return until next week.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.projo.com/celtics/content/sp_bkn_celtics_13_01-13-09_I8CUJG7_v11.3f0e337.html
Pierce plays ‘Superman’ again, bad knee and all in Celtics’ victory

08:33 AM EST on Tuesday, January 13, 2009

BY ROBERT LEE
Journal Sports Writer

Celtics forward Paul Piercebattles Toronto forward Jamario Moon for a loose ball during the first half last night. Pierce hit for a season-high 39 points.


AP / Charles Krupa
BOSTON — Superman shook off the Kryptonite, which in this case was a sore right knee, as Boston’s captain, Paul Pierce, torched Toronto for a season-high 39 points and 9 rebounds last night at the TD Banknorth Garden to carry the Celtics to a thrilling 115-109 overtime victory over the upset-minded Raptors.

“That was Superman,” Boston forward Kevin Garnett said of Pierce’s performance, adding that the Superman theme song should be played in the Garden whenever Pierce gets it going like he did last night.

The win was Boston’s second in as many nights after losing seven of nine.

“These games are tough, back-to-back,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “You rarely win them both so there are a lot of good things about this win. To win back-to-back games in this league during the regular season, usually it’s a split. It’s like playing a doubleheader and we won both, so I’ll take them.”

Related links
Celtics-Raptors box score
Rivers said he didn’t even think Pierce was going to play before the game after he injured his right knee on Sunday in Toronto. In that game, he collided with teammate Brian Scalabrine and was “questionable” for last night’s game.

But he was certainly glad Pierce played.

“He’s as tough as nails, plus he has such a love for the game,” Rivers said. “He’s able to play through pain because of the love for the game.”

“It takes a lot to keep me off the court,” Pierce said. “I was a little ginger but I got some much-needed rest last night and this morning.”

“He performed unbelievable,” Boston forward Leon Powe said of Pierce.

Garnett (20 points, 12 rebounds), who made his 1,000th career start last night and scored his 21,000th career point, Ray Allen (12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists), Brian Scalabrine (11 points) and Powe (10 points, 7 rebounds) also reached double figures for Boston.

The Celtics looked to Pierce in overtime and he delivered, scoring nine points in the extra session.

“He performed unbelievable,” Powe said. “He came out here and willed the game.”

His performance helped Boston set a franchise record for points in overtime as the Celtics outscored the Raptors, 22-16, in the extra period.

“In overtime it wasn’t really about my aggressiveness,” Pierce said. “The couple of shots that I got were from ball movement, and I was able to knock them down.”

It didn’t take long.

Pierce started the ovetime scoring by burying a 3-pointer to give Boston a 96-93 cushion, but Anthony Parker came right back with an 11-foot jump shot to make it 96-95.

Pierce responded with a 23-foot jumper and Rajon Rondo followed that up with a layup to increase Boston’s advantage to 100-95 with 2:43 left.

Toronto called a timeout to regroup and they did just that. Roko Ukic drove right to the basket for a lay-in.

Allen answered with a 3-pointer, but Ukic responded with a layup to slash Boston’s advantage to 103-99.

Pierce then found Powe open underneath on Boston’s ensuing possession. He passed him the ball and Powe scored and was fouled on the play. But he missed the free throw.

Boston made all eight of its free throws in the final minute of overtime to seal the win.

“They played very well in the overtime period and made shots when they had to,” Toronto coach Jay Triano said of Boston.

Toronto was able to take advantage of the absence of Boston starting center Kendrick Perkins, who missed his second straight game with a left-shoulder injury.

Its front line, sans Jermaine O’Neal (knee), combined to score 49 points.