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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 6:42:36 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1159388&format=textInjuries mount in Celtics loss No luck of the Green By Steve Bulpett | Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP CHICAGO - In the end, not even St. Patrick could save the team that wears a shamrock on its uniform all year long. The Celtics [team stats] and Bulls engaged in a basketball party that certainly didn’t lack for gusto, but there wasn’t enough green gas in the Boston tank. Chicago scored on eight straight possessions down the stretch to take a 127-121 victory and hand the ever-shrinking Celts their fourth loss in five games. By game’s end, the Celtics looked much like the revelers staggering out of the many fine establishments all over town. Leon Powe was out with a bruised right knee, and when Mikki Moore fouled out with 11:10 to go in the game, that left 6-foot-6 rookie Bill Walker as the power forward and, at times, Paul Pierce [stats] as your center. Rajon Rondo [stats] re-sprained his right ankle and played anyway, making him at least uncertain for tonight’s game against Miami. And Ray Allen is in the same boat after hyper-extending his right elbow late in the game. “We may be down to one or two guys for tomorrow’s game probably,” coach Doc Rivers said. “I was really proud of our guys. I thought they fought their butts off. It was great. Honestly when you’re down to one big and he’s dying on the floor and you have to take him out. You have five smalls, a makeshift lineup. I was really proud. I was really happy with our guys.” The game was even at 113 with three minutes left after drives by Rondo and Pierce, but the Bulls came out of a timeout with a 6-0 run that featured a reverse jam by John Salmons. Pierce (37 points) answered with a pair of jumpers, but Salmons finished up a 38-point night. The Celts called a timeout, down five, with 29.8 seconds left. Out of the break, Rivers was handed his second technical foul of the game and asked to leave by bouncer-referee Bill Kennedy. The coach brought it up afterward. “I don’t usually go this route, but the technical I got thrown out (on) was the most unprofessional tech by a ref I’ve ever had,” Rivers said. “He stood there and he goaded me and he goaded me and stared at me. Look at the film. I actually walked away. He asked me, ‘Where do you want the ball?’ And I said, ‘Ask them,’ talking about our players. That’s my right to say that, and I walked away. He stood there and stared me down and stared me down and goaded me until I turned around and said, ‘What?’ That’s what I got thrown out of the game for in a (five)-point game. Think about that. Think about that play that Bill Kennedy made. That is the most unprofessional tech I’ve ever had.” No one’s questioning the Celtics’ professionalism after this one. Already without Kevin Garnett, Glen Davis (there is some hope he’ll play tonight), Brian Scalabrine and Tony Allen, they saw Powe get hurt less than four minutes into the game. He tried to play later in the period, but he couldn’t move laterally. “It’s just stiff,” Powe said. “They say it’s a deep bruise right now. We’ll check it out further (today). I don’t know (about playing tonight). It’s feeling real bad, but I can’t call it right now.” Rondo, who injured the same ankle March 6 and missed the next two games, stepped on Kendrick Perkins [stats] in the third quarter. “I don’t know,” he said regarding tonight. “I played through it, but I don’t know how it’s going to be.” Allen got his elbow caught in a screen and, as far as tonight goes, “It’s all predicated on how I feel when I get up in the morning,” he said. Added Pierce, “I know when we get back full strength that everybody’s going to be in trouble, but right now it is what it is and we’ve just got to play through it.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 6:43:45 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1159400&format=textDoc Rivers: Kevin Garnett to ease back Remains cautious with star forward By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Notebook | Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP CHICAGO - Kevin Garnett will play this weekend if he is deemed healthy enough to do so, but Doc Rivers has trepidations. The Celtics [team stats] forward has been out nearly four weeks with a strained right knee, and Rivers is concerned about just throwing him back into the fire. “The problem for me is that he may get clearance at the end of the week, but we won’t have a practice,” said Rivers, who will give the Celts tomorrow off after playing back-to-back games. “And that’s going to be very difficult for me to play him, even though obviously we need to play him in those games. But right now someone’s going to have to convince me how that’s good.” The Celtics have a weekend back-to-back beginning Friday in San Antonio and moving to Memphis. “That’ll be difficult for me to put him on the floor in either one of those games,” Rivers said. “I know I won’t play him in both of those games even if he comes back. And unless the shootaround is better than I expect Friday morning, I don’t know how we play a guy that hasn’t played in four weeks.” Noting the lack of practice time, the coach added, “We might use the game as that and put him in for 20 or whatever minutes they give us. We’ll see.” But Rivers will have no problem starting Garnett. “If he can play, I’m starting him,” he said. “I can tell you that right now. I just won’t play him as long obviously. But if you’re going to play him, you might as well play him with your starters.” According to Rivers, Garnett hasn’t been doing any basketball workouts. “He’s been shooting a little bit,” the coach said. Meanwhile, Glen Davis’ comeback is more certain. “I’m expecting him back for Friday for sure, but I doubt for (tonight against Miami),” Rivers said. Looking ahead, he added, “We’ve got to be healthy. We believe if we’re healthy then we’re going to be fine. Once we get healthy and put the pieces back together, I think we’re going to be really good.” Eddie House was good to go last night despite twisting his left ankle Sunday against Milwaukee. “The big thing was no swelling,” said House, who had 13 points in the 127-121 loss to the Bulls. “It’s just a bruise.” Where’s Van Lier Rivers believes there is something missing from the United Center rafters. Numbers are retired for Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jerry Sloan and Bob Love, but Norm Van Lier’s No. 2 has yet to be elevated. Van Lier recently died. “It is strange,” Rivers said. “I know the retiring numbers thing is tricky with some teams, but for me this would be an easy decision. He was one of my favorite players, and I loved him for a lot of other reasons, too. I loved his toughness and grit. I just think that wherever Sloan goes, Norm should be there, too. I think the combination of those two is what really made the Bulls back then.” Adaptation The Celtics have changed their practice approach under the schedule and roster circumstances. “It’s tough,” Rivers said. “Practices are shorter, even though (Monday) wasn’t short. You just have to kind of pick your spots. You can’t build Rome in a day, as they would say. So we pick a couple of things to work on and that’s it, where with the whole team and everybody knowing everything, you can jump around a lot easier. “But you can’t do that right now. That’s fine. We knew that when we made all the moves.” Homesick The connection would seem as obvious as corned beef and cabbage, but once again the Celtics did not play in Boston on St. Patrick’s Day. “It just feels like we should be playing at home,” said Ray Allen, who along with his mates wore a white jersey while the Bulls wore special green uniforms. “That’s where we ought to be on St. Patrick’s Day.” “It’s funny,” Rivers added. “I always assumed they did.” The Celts have played in Boston on St. Patrick’s just twice in the past 12 seasons. . . . Rivers spoke to a group from the West Cook YMCA before the game. He was among those leading the drive to fund a new state of the art YMCA near his hometown, just west of the city.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 6:47:53 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1159376&format=textCeltics celebrate St. Pat’s on the road Green scene By Steve Bulpett | Wednesday, March 18, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP CHICAGO - The connection would seem as obvious as corned beef and cabbage, but once again the Celtics [team stats] did not play in Boston on St. Patrick’s Day. The river here once again was turned green yesterday, but the Celts still seemed out of place, wearing their white uniforms while the Bulls donned special green gear. “It just feels like we should be playing at home,” guard Ray Allen said. “That’s where we ought to be on St. Patrick’s Day. The holiday fits Boston. We should be playing there.” “It’s funny,” coach Doc Rivers added. “I always assumed they did.” The truth is the Celts have played in Boston on St. Pat’s just twice in the last 12 seasons, hosting Denver in 2004 and the Clippers back in 1999. The last two years the Celtics have dribbled the holiday out in San Antonio, not exactly the Dublin of America. “You’d think we should play in Boston on St. Patrick’s, but I think it’s probably safe that we don’t,” said Rivers with a laugh. “The bars are full enough as it is. If we played, they would come from the bars to the game and then go back to the bars. I think it helps people if they don’t have to move around too much. The fact we’re playing on the road gives them something else to do while they’re in the bars. That’s probably a good thing. “It’s still disappointing that we’re not at home, but you have to understand how big St. Patrick’s Day is here,” he added, putting in a pitch for his hometown. “Boston’s probably the No. 1 city in the country as far as celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, but Chicago could be No. 1. Anyway, they’re the top two. It’s big here. They turn the river green and everything. “The one right thing they’ve done this year is that I think there should be a St. Patrick’s Day game beween Boston and Chicago every year. I think that would be a great tradition.” The Celtics are 12-1 at home all-time on St. Patrick’s Day and 9-8 on the road entering last night’s game.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 6:50:33 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/18/bulls_throw_celtics/Bulls throw Celtics Injury list gets longer in another tough loss By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | March 18, 2009 CHICAGO - Just when you thought the Celtics' injury situation couldn't get any worse . . . The Celtics lost, 127-121, to the struggling Bulls last night at the United Center, and with injuries to Leon Powe (knee), Ray Allen (elbow), and Rajon Rondo (ankle), they could enter tonight's game against Miami with as few as eight healthy players. "Definitely, the list is growing, but it is what it is," said Paul Pierce. "We can't cry over spilled milk. Some way, somehow, throughout this stretch, we have to get this job done. "We'll be healthy sooner rather than later. We've just got to continue to fight, play hard, and find ways to win games." Pierce scored a team-high 37 points while Rondo, despite being hurt, added 26 points, a game-high 10 assists, and 5 rebounds. But the Bulls, wearing green for St. Patrick's Day, got 38 points from John Salmons (tying his career high), shot 53 percent from the field, and scored 58 points in the paint. The Celtics fell to 9-6 without Kevin Garnett this season and are now 4 1/2 games behind Cleveland for first place in the Eastern Conference. Celtics coach Doc Rivers was proud of the fight his beaten-up team showed. "We look like a team with not enough players," Rivers said. "That happens. I was really happy with our guys." The Celtics were already without Garnett (knee), Glen Davis (ankle), Brian Scalabrine (concussion), and Tony Allen (finger surgery). Eddie House returned to action despite a left ankle injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to Milwaukee and scored 13 points in 28 minutes. But things got worse when Powe was lost in the first quarter to a sprained right knee. Powe, who banged knees with Chicago's Ben Gordon, will be evaluated in Boston today but doesn't expect to play tonight. Rondo hurt his right ankle in the third quarter but he got it taped in the locker room and returned with 4:47 left in the period. An injury to his ankle recently caused Rondo to miss two games, and he was uncertain about his status tonight. Allen hyperextended his right elbow late in the game and was uncertain about tonight as well. When forward Mikki Moore fouled out with 11:17 remaining in the game, the Celtics were down to nine players. Pierce even played some center for the first time since he was at Inglewood (Calif.) High. "There's that point where sometimes it's just bad luck for either one individual or one team," said Allen, who had 17 points and nailed four 3-pointers. "We have a team of professionals that make sure we stay healthy all the time. You have to listen to the body and definitely listen to the trainers." Said Rondo, "Seems like every game someone's going down. People just have to step up and play through it." Led by 14 points (8 on free throws) from Tyrus Thomas, the Bulls finished the first quarter with a 34-26 lead after shooting 60 percent. "We came out and started the game awful," Rivers said. The Celtics took their first lead since 4-2 when Pierce's 3-pointer made it 49-48 with 1:34 left in the half. A lay-in by Rondo (17 points, 6 assists in the half) with 2.6 seconds left gave Boston a 55-54 halftime lead. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Allen and Pierce gave Boston a 73-62 lead with 6:40 left in the third, but Chicago used an 18-7 run to tie the game at 80 on a Salmons lay-in. The Celtics finished the third with a 90-89 lead, but Moore fouled out early in the fourth, and a pair of acrobatic lay-ins by the previously quiet Derrick Rose gave Chicago a 100-97 lead. House's 3-pointer, though, gave Boston a 107-106 lead with 5:07 left. A lay-in by Rose gave Chicago a 117-113 lead with 1:57 remaining. Pierce's 15-foot jumper with 1:15 left brought Boston within 119-117. But a 3-point play by Salmons with 1:02 left pushed Chicago ahead, 122-117. Pierce nailed two free throws with 50.8 seconds left to bring Boston within 122-119, but Salmons sealed it with a second-chance lay-in with 29.8 seconds, making it 124-119. Following a timeout, Rivers received his second technical foul and was ejected. "They fought back," Salmons said. "We hung in there and then we found a way to win it at the end."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 6:51:58 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/18/heat_thumbnails/Heat thumbnails March 18, 2009 Email| Print| Single Page| Yahoo! Buzz| ShareThisText size – + Discuss COMMENTS (0) When, where: Tonight, 7, at TD Banknorth Garden. TV, radio: ESPN, CSN, WEEI (850). Scoring: Dwyane Wade 29.9, Jermaine O'Neal 14.0, Michael Beasley 13.3. Rebounding: Udonis Haslem 8.4, O'Neal 5.8, Jamario Moon 5.5. Assists: Wade 7.6, Mario Chalmers 4.6, O'Neal 2.0, Chris Quinn 2.0. Head to head: This is the third of four meetings. The teams split the first two. The Heat beat the Celtics last Wednesday in Miami, 107-99. Miscellany: In Sunday's loss to Philadelphia, Wade had his franchise-record streak of 20-point games snapped at 21 . . . Miami's 77 points against Philadelphia Sunday marked its third-lowest output of the season.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 6:53:30 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2009/03/18/hottest_of_the_heat?mode=PFHottest of the Heat Electrifying Wade sets league on fire By Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Columnist | March 18, 2009 There were days, not long ago, when the only reason to watch the Celtics was to see one of the big stars playing for the visiting team. The Celtics couldn't sell their own product, so they tried to pull you in with the likes of Shaq or Kobe or Allen Iverson. Now you go to watch the home team. And it's OK if the Green are playing some anonymous Bucks or Grizzlies. Tonight you get both. You get to see the defending champs and you get to see the league's leading scorer: Dwyane Wade. Wade is a singular sensation. He is leading the NBA with a 29.9-point average, he has taken his team from a 15-win season to the middle of the playoff pack in NBA East, and he has injected himself into the 2008-09 MVP debate - no small achievement in a league dedicated to the feats of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. King James and Crybaby Kobe are always going to get their props, but D-Wade has made himself impossible to ignore. Every time you flip on ESPN, there is Wade flying through the air, legs cycling, throwing in an overtime buzzer-beater. He dropped 50 points on the heads of the Utah Jazz in a triple-overtime win. And there was that spectacular running three that beat Chicago at the buzzer in double OT. "It's no secret that we feel he's playing at the best level of anybody in the league right now," said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra (pass Go and collect $200 if you knew that this young man is coach of the Heat). "We feel that what he's been doing for us, impacting games in close fourth quarters and overtimes - he's helped win games for us in those situations at both ends of the floor. Blocks, steals, loose balls, and obviously scoring. We feel like he's been doing that more than anybody else in the league." Wade is humble about the MVP argument. Only 27, he has been around for five seasons and he has already won an NBA title and Olympic gold. "I've been talked on a lot with LeBron and Kobe lately, and it's great to hear," he said after a midday practice at Emerson College yesterday. "The whole MVP thing, for me to be in the conversation after what I went through last year [coming back from shoulder and knee surgeries], is gratifying. "MVP talk comes with success. We've got a good team and I want the team to be in the race, so I've got a bigger burden on my hands than the other two to stay in that race. Those guys are on 50-plus-win teams. We're still trying to fight for position in the playoffs, so I've got to do a little bit more to go to stay in that race." The Heat have been in Boston since Sunday night. By NBA standards, this makes them eligible to vote in Massachusetts. Pro basketball teams are often in a city for less than 24 hours. Wade & Co. came to the Hub after a loss in Philadelphia, and Spoelstra gave them the day off Monday. Wade did not walk the Freedom Trail. "It was a rest day, a day to get away from basketball," he said. He took treatment for his shoulder, knee, and hip. And he watched a lot of "SportsCenter." "I'm an ESPN guy," he said. "A movie guy. Jacuzzi. Our strength coach keeps us busy." If he's hanging around in his hotel room, with "SportsCenter" looping in the background, does his head snap to attention when they cut to the latest D-Wade highlights? "Of course you watch it," he said. "But right now it's all about March Madness." Like Doc Rivers, Wade is a Marquette man. Six years ago this week, Wade was on the Marquette team that beat Holy Cross, 72-68, in the first round of the NCAA tourney. "We rolled after that," he remembered. "But besides losing to Kansas [in the national semifinals], that was our toughest game. We got to worry about Utah State right now. "Doc always talks to me about the Warriors, but I remind him that I'm a Golden Eagle. He was a Warrior. (Marquette caved to pressure and switched nicknames in 1994.) This is Miami's first trip to Boston this year. One week ago, the Heat beat the undermanned Celtics, 107-99, in Miami. "It's going to be rockin' here," said Wade. "We know how we play in front of our home crowd, and this is going to be a very tough atmosphere for us. "We know we won't see them in the first round, but maybe later in the second round. Something like that. Hopefully, we stay out of their way for the first round. Hopefully, we stay in that 4-5 range, maybe meet them later. "Last year they had a lot of players on their team that hadn't won a championship and it seemed like it took them forever to get it. It's even tougher to repeat. Something we experienced. When you're the champions, you're every team's big game and they get up for you no matter what. It's very tough, especially not having all your guns." Wade won his championship with Shaquille O'Neal. Now he's on the comeback trail with Jermaine O'Neal. Smaller guy. Big difference. "He is getting more comfortable in the offense," said Wade. "It's the vision of when he came here, to have that 1-2 punch with the pick-and-roll. Or you throw it into the post and let him work. It's very tough to defend. "Kind of pick your poison. Blitz me and I have the opportunity to throw it to him or let me come off for the open jumper. It's something we envisioned when the trade happened." Plans for last night? "I've heard good things about St. Patrick's Day in Boston," Wade said. "But my plan is to stay out of the way." Different plan tonight at the Garden.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 7:01:20 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/Celtics lose 127-121 to Bulls Link|Comments (0) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff March 17, 2009 10:56 PM CHICAGO – The green team won. As luck would have it for the injury-plagued Celtics on St. Patrick’s Day, that team still wasn’t them. The injury-plagued Celtics lost 127-121 to the struggling Bulls tonight at the United Center. Boston (50-18) is now 3-5 in March and 9-6 without forward Kevin Garnett this season. In the Eastern Conference race, the Celtics are also now 4 1/2 games behind first-place Cleveland (54-13) and ½-game ahead of Orlando (49-18). Celtics forward Paul Pierce scored a team-high 37 points while guard Rajon Rondo added 26 points, a game-high 10 assists and 5 rebounds. But Chicago also received a career-high tying 38 points from forward John Salmons, shot 53 percent from the field and scored 58 points in the paint. The Bulls (30-37) wore green in honor of the holiday while the Celtics wore their home whites. As if the Celtics didn’t have enough injuries, forward Leon Powe went to the lockeroom with a bruised right knee suffered during a collision in the first. He didn’t return and will be re-evaluated today. Powe’s departure left the already injury-riddled Celtics with 10 players. Led by 14 points (eight on free throws) from Tyrus Thomas, the Bulls finished the first with a 34-26 record after shooting 60 percent. The Celtics took their first lead since 4-2 when Paul Pierce’s 3-pointer gave them a 49-48 lead with 1:34 left in the second. A lay-in by Rajon Rondo, who had 17 points and 6 assists in the first half, with 2.6 seconds left in the second gave Boston a 55-54 halftime lead. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Ray Allen and Pierce gave Boston a 73-62 lead with 6:40 left in the third. Rondo hurt his right ankle in the third and got it re-taped in the lockeroom, but returned with 4:47 left in the quarter. Chicago, however, used an 18-7 run to tie the game at 80 after a John Salmons lay-in. Boston finished the third with a 90-89 lead. The Celtics were down to nine players when Moore fouled out with 11:10 left in the fourth quarter and Chicago down 90-89. Two-straight acrobatic lay-ins by a previously quiet Derrick Rose’s gave Chicago a 100-97 lead with 7:39 remaining. Eddie House’s 3-pointer, however, gave Boston a 107-106 lead with 5:07 left. A lay-in by Rose gave Chicago a 117-113 lead with 1:57 remaining. Pierce’s 15-foot jumper with 1:15 left brought Boston within 119-117. But a three-point play by John Salmons with 1:02 left pushed Chicago ahead 122-117. Pierce nailed two free throws with 50.8 seconds left to bring Boston with three, 122-119. Salmons, however, sealed the Chicago win with a second-chance lay-in with 29.8 seconds left that pushed Boston behind 124-119. Following a timeout, Celtics coach Doc Rivers received his second technical foul and was ejected from the game. Cs through three quarters @ Chicago Link|Comments (0) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff March 17, 2009 10:00 PM Celtics guard Rajon Rondo briefly went to the lockeroom to have his right ankle taped, but returned to action. In case you haven't figured it out, Celtics rookie forward Bill Walker has some major hops. Just ask Chicago's Brad Miller. Can anybody guard Chicago's John Salmons? Salmons already has 29, but Boston's Paul Pierce has 24, too. Cs @ halftime Link|Comments (0) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff March 17, 2009 09:47 PM Can't say I've ever seen a player shoot 12 free throws in the first half, but Chicago's Tyrus Thomas just did that. The Celtics used four 3-pointers and tough defense to get back in the game. Celtics guard Rajon Rondo had a fantastic first half with 17 points and 6 assists. But Chicago's John Salmons had 19 points while Thomas added 16. Powe out for game Link|Comments (1) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff March 17, 2009 08:56 PM Celtics forward Leon Powe left yesterday's game against the Bulls with a bruised right knee in the first quarter and did not return. Powe will be re-evaluated tomorrow. The Celtics are now playing with 10 players. Powe OK Link|Comments (1) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff March 17, 2009 08:53 PM Celtics forward Leon Powe banged his right knee after colliding with a Bulls player in the first quarter and left the game with 8:12 remaining in the quarter. Powe, however, is expected to return to action.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 7:10:47 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/pros_and_colleges/x1594271698/Bulls-127-Celtics-121-Bulled-overBulls 127, Celtics 121: Bulled over -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loading multimedia... Photos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul Beatty/Associated Press Chicago's Tyrus Thomas throws down a dunk during the Bulls' win over the Celtics. By Andrew Seligman Associated Press Posted Mar 18, 2009 @ 12:17 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHICAGO — John Salmons tied a career-high with 38 points, and the Chicago Bulls rallied for another surprising victory, beating the Boston Celtics 127-121 last night despite 37 points from Paul Pierce. The Celtics were trying to clinch a share of the Atlantic Division. They'll have to wait for that. Coming off a 86-77 loss at Milwaukee on Sunday in which they set a season-low for points scored, the Celtics set one for points allowed in another disappointing loss for a team that's trying to lock down homecourt advantage in the playoffs. Boston led by 13 in the third quarter, only to give it away, and Chicago surprised another playoff-bound team after beating New Orleans 97-79 on Saturday. Leading the late charge were Brad Miller, Derrick Rose and Salmons. The Bulls, who are leading the race for the eighth playoff spot in the East by a half game over Milwaukee, shot 70 percent in the fourth quarter, with Miller scoring 13 of his 21 points and Rose and Salmons adding nine apiece. Pierce, Rajon Rondo (26 points) and Ray Allen (17 points) did what they could for the Celtics, who have dropped four of five and have struggled lately through injuries - the most notable being Kevin Garnett's sprained right knee. The Bulls scored six in a row to grab a 117-111 lead and were ahead 122-117 after Salmons drove across the lane for a three-point play with just over a minute remaining, the ball bouncing off the back of the rim before falling through the net. Salmons came up with another big basket after Miller rebounded Rose's miss and handed off to him, making it 124-119 with 29.8 seconds left. The Celtics called a timeout, and coach Doc Rivers got whistled for his second technical, leading to an ejection and a free throw for Ben Gordon. Salmons then hit two more foul shots after a layup by Rondo, making it 127-121, and the Bulls escaped with their seventh straight home win. The Celtics simply got another dose of frustration. It would help if they had all their star. They are 6-6 since Garnett hurt his knee, and although they hope to have him back this week, there's no guarantee they will. Rivers initially expected to have the All-Star forward back for Friday's game at San Antonio, but a more likely return date appears to be Saturday, when they visit Memphis. And that's no sure thing. Garnett hasn't practiced since Feb. 19, and Rivers doesn't want to risk aggravating the condition by bringing him back too soon. "With Kevin, the problem for me will be that he may get clearance at the end of the week without having practiced," Rivers said before last night's game. "That's going to be very difficult for me to play him, even though, obviously we need to play him in those games." Rivers said the shootaround would have to go "better than I expect" for Garnett to play Friday, and if he does, he'll sit out Saturday's game. Notes: The Bulls wore green uniforms in honor of St. Patrick's day. ... Besides Garnett, the Celtics were also without Brian Scalabrine (post concussion syndrome) and Tony Allen (left thumb injury). Leon Powe joined them on the sideline after he bruised his right knee in a collision with Gordon and will be re-evaluated today.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 7:12:43 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/pros_and_colleges/x1537600478/2009-starting-to-resemble-87-for-Celts2009 starting to resemble '87 for Celts -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Mike Fine/Gatehouse News Service MetroWest Daily News Posted Mar 17, 2009 @ 10:00 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Celtics went through an almost perfect season en route to their 16th championship in 1985-86. They finished with 67 wins, won the Atlantic Division title by 13 games and went 40-1 at home, setting records along the way. When it was over, Larry Bird had earned an MVP while the Celtics had earned the respect of the basketball world. It was also a year of near perfect health. Funny thing was, Larry Bird hurt his back during the preseason, yet didn't miss a regular-season game. He had minor toe surgery just after the season, but was ready for the playoffs a few days later. The most serious injury the Celtics suffered during the regular season was to Kevin McHale's Achilles tendon. McHale missed 14 games. Of the top eight rotation players, no one else missed more than four. Total injury games missed by the top eight that season: 26. The Celtics went 11-1 in the first three rounds of the playoffs (Bulls, Hawks, Bucks) before taking the Rockets, 4-2, for the title. One reason for the near perfect run: Bill Walton, beset by foot injuries throughout his career, was able to stay on the court for 80 of the 82 regular-season games. He was arguably the best backup center in the history of the league, and a key reason for the Celtics being optimistic about the following season. A year later it was a far different story. Aside from the fact that the Celtics' first-round draft pick, Len Bias, collapsed and died on June 19, Walton went down and out quickly, first when he broke a pinky finger, but mostly because of the feet. It was always the feet. He was placed in the injured list early on and underwent ankle surgery on Dec. 17. He played only 10 games all season. The Celtics were banged up often. Jerry Sichting and Scott Wedman each went down early, although the Celtics certainly didn't take a major nosedive. In fact, they'd run their homecourt winning streak to 48 games before losing to Washington - at Hartford, where they played several times a year - on Dec. 2. Their 48-game Boston Garden winning streak ended 10 days later when they were beaten by the Lakers. Toward the end of the season, the Celtics were still a force, still a viable championship defender. They won their 50th game, going 50-18 on March 22, but now Bird's back was hurting, too. And there was the matter of Kevin McHale fracturing his foot during a March 22 game at Chicago. Few realized how serious it would be. Bottom line: a year after missing only 26 games due to injuries, the Celtics' top eight players were up to 61 games missed, and if you throw in Walton, who never could crack the top eight, that would be 133 games. The Celtics went on to sweep the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs, struggling for 4-3 series wins over the Bucks and Pistons before falling to the Lakers, 4-2, in the Finals. They wouldn't get a sniff of the Finals for the next 21 years. So here they are in 2009, a season after winning their 17th title in near flawless fashion. The Celtics pretty much breezed through last season. They won 66 games, taking the Atlantic Division by 25 games while going 35-6 at home, setting records along the way. When it was over, Kevin Garnett was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year and Paul Pierce the MVP of the Finals, while the Celtics had earned the respect of the basketball world. It was also a year of near perfect health. Garnett missed more time than anybody - nine games - and partly because the team was being extra cautious while their meal ticket recovered from an abdominal strain. Ray Allen and Tony Allen each missed seven games. In all, the top 10 Celts - times have changed, more players are involved - missed a total of 43 games en route to their Finals rout over the Lakers. Fast forward a year and the Celtics were looking at the flip side of the coin, the side that teams like the Wizards seem to be dealing with at all times. Garnett has now missed 14 games - two earlier because of the flu - and Tony Allen has been a lost cause, out 28 games after an ankle injury and thumb surgery. Brian Scalabrine, who'd forced himself into the rotation, has missed 29 games thanks mostly to concussions. Heading into Chicago last night, the Celtics' top 10 had missed 83 games because of illness and injury. Toward the end of the season, the Celtics are still a force, still a viable championship defender. They won their 50th game last Friday, but without Garnett in particular, it's been a struggle. Heading into Chicago they were only 9-8 since their 12-game winning streak was snapped by the Lakers at the Garden on Feb. 5. Does history repeat itself? Let's just hope that it won't be another 21 years before they get another sniff of the Finals.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 8:39:42 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/18/garnett_decision_is_coming_friday?mode=PFGarnett decision is coming Friday By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | March 18, 2009 CHICAGO - It won't be determined until Friday morning, on the floor of the AT&T Center in San Antonio, whether the long-awaited return of Kevin Garnett to the Celtics will come that night against the Spurs. Coach Doc Rivers has been saying that he expects the injured All-Star to return for that game. But after more consideration, Rivers said prior to last night's 127-121 loss to the Bulls that a determination will be made during Friday's shootaround. Garnett has been sidelined since Feb. 19, when he sprained his right knee at Utah, and has yet to practice. Rivers will need convincing before he lets Garnett suit up. "That's going to be very difficult for me to play him, although obviously, we need to play him in those games," said Rivers. "Right now, someone has to convince me if that's good." In any case, Rivers doubts Garnett would play in back-to-back games at San Antonio and Memphis Friday and Saturday. Whenever he returns, Rivers said, Garnett will play with the starters. Minutes, however, are to be determined. "That would be difficult for me to put him on the floor in either one of those games," Rivers said. "I know I won't play him in both of those games if he comes back. "Unless the shootaround is better than I expect Friday morning, I don't know how we play a guy that hasn't played [since Feb. 19]. I think that's difficult, but we'll see. "I just thought about it more. I haven't thought about it a whole bunch. We're getting closer to the date. We'll see. We'll find it out." Rivers said there is a possibility Glen Davis will return tonight against Miami; if not then, definitely Friday. Davis has been hampered by a right ankle sprain. Rivers ejected With the Celtics trailing the Bulls, 124-119, following a timeout with 29.8 seconds left, Rivers received his second technical foul and was ejected. He said he was baited by referee Bill Kennedy. "The technical on which I got thrown out was the most unprofessional technical by a ref I've ever had," Rivers said. "He stood there and goaded me and goaded me and stared at me. "Look at the film. I actually walked away. He asked me, 'Where do you want the ball?' And I said, 'Ask them,' talking about my players. That's my right to say that, and he walked away. "He stood there and stared me down and stared me down and goaded me until I turned around and said, 'What?' That's when I got thrown out of the game. In a [5-point] game? Think about that." Kennedy was unavailable for comment. Home for holiday? St. Patrick's Day celebrations don't get much bigger than they do in Boston and Chicago. But the Celtics haven't had a St. Patrick's game at home since 2004 and have played on the road on the holiday four straight years. Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck said yesterday via e-mail that the franchise has formally requested to the NBA that it play at home next season. "I like the fact that these two teams play on St. Patrick's Day," said Rivers, a Chicago native. "I don't know that any two cities celebrate it more than these two. They paint the river green here. "I think we should do it every St. Pat's. But I would like a couple in Boston. But it's probably safer not to. The bars are doing well." The Celtics are 12-1 on St. Patrick's Day at home and are 9-9 on the road. MVP? Not Pierce Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade have been the most widely mentioned names in the Most Valuable Player race. While Paul Pierce is the leading scorer on one of the best teams in the league, his name hasn't been mentioned, but he said he isn't surprised. "Those guys are playing at a different level as far as individual numbers," said Pierce. "I'm not even close. That's not even something I'm trying to play for." All atwitter Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva was scolded by coach Scott Skiles after Skiles learned that Villanueva posted an online message to his Twitter from his mobile phone during halftime of Sunday's 86-77 win against Boston. Using the screen name "CV31," Villanueva posted: "In da locker room, snuck to post my twitt. We're playing the Celtics, tie ball game at da half. Coach wants more toughness. I gotta step up." The former University of Connecticut star then scored 15 of his team-high 19 points in the second half. Several of the younger Celtics players either said they were not involved or never heard of Twitter, and scoffed at Villanueva's move. Rivers said, "I have no comment. A new generation, clearly. Instead of doing an after-third-quarter [on TV], we'll have to Twitter."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 18, 2009 9:04:40 GMT -5
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