News 4/6

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1163755&format=text
Danny Ainge’s hopes high for playoffs
Loving what he C’s

By Steve Bulpett | Monday, April 6, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Herald file
There still are some issues that make him apprehensive, but it’s pretty much official. Danny Ainge has a man crush.

“I love our team,” said the Celtics [team stats]’ president of a team that is managing to hold on to the second seed in the Eastern Conference despite significant injuries. “I mean, there are all sorts of question marks as far as health and what’s going to happen. Those are always the variables and the uncertainties with every team. But I really like our team. When we’re healthy and we’re playing, I love what we can be.”

Ainge remains confident that Kevin Garnett’s sore right knee will be better by the postseason, which is important because top conference foes Cleveland and Orlando have improved this year.

“Absolutely they’re better,” Ainge said, “but I think we’re better, too. I definitely think we’re better. If we’re healthy, I think we’re significantly better. I think Perk (Kendrick Perkins [stats]) is much better. I think Rajon (Rondo) is much better. I think Leon (Powe) and Baby (Glen Davis) are much better. I think those four guys in particular have made great improvements this season. Ray (Allen)’s playing better, and Paul (Pierce)’s playing as good as he’s played ever. The question is what kind of KG we’re going to get because of his health. That’s a key, but I think he’ll be ready.

“I think Tony (Allen)’s health is important for us, too,” he added, referring to the man who returned this past week from nearly two months out for left thumb surgery. “I think we’re going to need some defense out of Tony come playoff time, and it looks like he’s coming around. And Scal (Brian Scalabrine, out with postconcussion syndrome) has been huge for us this year. His team defense and spreading the floor has been really important. It’d be great to have him back, too.”

With questions regarding some key reserves, Ainge acknowledged that the acquisitions of Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore have helped to lower his blood pressure.

“I’m much more comfortable,” he said. “Much more comfortable. We added depth and experience. I love the energy that Steph and Mikki are playing with. I think that shortly we’ll start seeing them play without thinking. I think the wheels have been spinning. People forget that last year when we brought Sam (Cassell) and P.J. (Brown) in, they weren’t thrust into the action so quickly because our team was all healthy. We were able to bring them along slower, where with Steph and Mikki, when they came in our team was depleted and had injuries. So we needed them and they had to play right away.”

In that Ainge said was saying amorous things about the Celts even before those pick-ups, is it possible he was fibbing? Or maybe it’s just puppy love?

“No, I did love the team before, but what I’m saying is I feel more comfortable after these additions,” he replied. “You just never know what can happen from a health standpoint, and these guys can help us withstand that. You’ll see that even better the longer they’re here. Steph has shown that he can penetrate. He gets in the paint. He’s the only person on our team other that Rajon who gets in the paint off the dribble. And he plays really good defense. He gets out there and he fights through screens. He competes, he has talent and he’s learning our system. So that gives me a great deal of comfort. If Steph can develop into a 25-minute-a-game guy that can start shooting the ball better and scoring more, that’s great, too. But I feel really comfortable having him here with us.

“It’s the same thing with Mikki. I don’t know how many minutes he’ll get once the playoffs start. A lot of it might depend on the health of Leon and Scalabrine and everybody, but I like the fact that we have a lot of parts and a lot of depth. Right now, the biggest question in my mind is just health.”

Ainge no longer has concerns about his team’s approach after watching it weather last season’s playoff storm and steadily improve.

“I think last year we hadn’t been through it,” he said. “I think we came out of the gates in the playoffs really ready to play, but I think we took Atlanta lightly after we blew them out in the first two games. I think that affected us the rest of that series.

“I really think we’ll be ready this year. Like I said, I love our team.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1163786&format=text
Lakers notch 61st win - barely - over Clippers

By Associated Press | Monday, April 6, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | NBA Coverage

Photo by AP
LOS ANGELES — Phil Jackson had warned the Lakers not to overlook the lowly Los Angeles Clippers. What he didn’t count on was his team’s errant offense.

Lamar Odom had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Kobe Bryant added 18 points and the Lakers won 88-85 Sunday night to remain a game behind Cleveland for the NBA’s best record.

Jackson was so disgusted after the Lakers blew most of a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter that he didn’t take questions from reporters.

"I was not happy with the ballgame," he said. "We didn’t do the game plan the right way."

The Lakers’ 61st victory was listless against a team that trails them by 43 games in the Western Conference. But they did just enough to win their third in a row, improve to 33-5 at home and assert themselves as the dominant tenant at Staples Center.

"Happy we won, especially looking at Cleveland and Orlando," Odom said. "Everybody’s a little bit beat up and tired. It’s all about finding a way to win."

The Lakers have already clinched home-court advantage through the conference finals, but with five games remaining, still have a shot at edging the Cavaliers to earn home-court throughout the NBA finals. The Lakers already own the tiebreaker, having beaten LeBron James & Co. twice.

"Disappointed," Bryant said about the close call. "We didn’t play as hard defensively during the stretch."

Eric Gordon scored 24 points, Zach Randolph added 18 points and 10 rebounds and Brian Skinner grabbed 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who’ve lost five in a row and 12 of their last 15.

"It was about time that we stood up and started fighting back and pushing back against the team that is the well-oiled machine," said Baron Davis, whose jumper went off the rim as time expired. "We were close."

Trailing 81-62 in the fourth — their third 19-point deficit — the Clippers scored 16 in a row, including eight by Fred Jones, to close to 81-78 with 2�½ minutes remaining.

"We got good stops, Kobe wasn’t making shots and we got out and Eric hit some big shots," Randolph said. "We hit big shots and got defensive stops and that is what got us back in the game."

Bryant stopped the run, but just barely, as his first free throw spun and bounced around before going down. He made the second and the Lakers clung to an 83-78 lead.

But Jones hit a floating jumper to get the Clippers within three. Bryant’s 3-point attempt bounced off the rim, the Clippers snagged the rebound, then Odom fouled Gordon. The rookie made both and the Clippers trailed 83-82 with 1:09 to play.

Pau Gasol’s driving layup and another pair of free throws by Bryant kept the Lakers ahead 87-82. Gasol finished with 14 points.

Gordon hit a 3-pointer that drew the Clippers to 87-85 with 5 seconds to go.

Derek Fisher got fouled and missed the first one with the crowd on its feet. He made the second, helped by some body English, for an 88-85 lead.

After a timeout, Steve Novak inbounded to Davis with Trevor Ariza closely guarding him, but Davis missed.

The Lakers hardly lit it up, shooting 42 percent (33-of-78) for the game. Bryant and Odom both missed pairs of free throws in the third quarter, when the Clippers twice got within five points.

But with Randolph and Davis each picking up their third fouls around the same time, the Lakers closed the quarter on an 11-4 run to lead 68-56 going into the fourth. Odom hit a 3-pointer and benefited on a goaltending call against Skinner, while Bryant scored the Lakers’ final three points.

"Offense comes and goes. Sometimes you hit shots, sometimes you don’t," Bryant said. "You got to defend. Our offense let us down, our defense kept the lead."

The Lakers could be getting Andrew Bynum back this week. He’s been out since tearing a right knee ligament on Jan. 31 at Memphis. The third-year center will work out again Monday, but won’t travel with the team to Sacramento for its game Tuesday.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/06/perkins_anchors_defense?mode=PF
Perkins anchors defense
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | April 6, 2009

Though the Celtics have established a reputation for demonstrating how championships derive from defending, relatively few of the franchise's players have been named to the NBA All-Defensive first team. Kevin Garnett became the seventh Celtic named to the team last year, matching the number of titles the team has won since the All-Defensive team was inaugurated in the 1968-69 season.

And, the next Celtic candidate for the team is center Kendrick Perkins, according to captain Paul Pierce and some impressive statistical accomplishments.

"[We're] the top defensive field goal team with Perk among the shot-block leaders," Pierce said. "He definitely gets my vote on the All-Defensive team. I can't think of anybody in the league who's done a better job than he's done this year, especially with Kevin being out - he's done a great job rebounding, clogging up the middle, blocking shots, getting the offensive rebound. So, if he doesn't make the All-Defensive team it will be a conspiracy."

Pierce was talking after Perkins had tied a career high with seven blocked shots in a 104-92 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Friday night. Entering play yesterday, Perkins was tied for fifth in the league with 140 blocks.

"That's not my goal," Perkins said of the All-Defensive team. "My goal is to win another ring. You win another ring, everybody gets a piece of the pie. Individual goals, that's cool, but by going for bigger goals you achieve smaller goals.

"I hope I make it but if I don't it's not a big deal. I've still got my eyes on the prize."

Perkins acknowledges the likely front-running status of Orlando's Dwight Howard at center.

"There's two teams, right?" Perkins said. "I could make one of them."

Perkins has increased his defensive pronouncements as well as production since Garnett suffered a right knee strain Feb. 19. He is not expected to return until the Celtics visit Cleveland (April 12) or Philadelphia (April 14).

The verbiage of the Celtics' defensive communication might be reduced without Garnett, but Perkins has upped the volume.

"And when [Garnett] comes back I need to continue to talk," Perkins said. "It will make us a lot better defensive club. Kevin always gives me the speech to go out there and be the anchor on defense. So, I try to talk and be the loudest one. I'm going out there and trying to be consistent until he gets back. I'm just trying to finish the season strong."

The Garnett-Perkins defensive tandem has functioned well, Garnett providing the choreography and versatility, Perkins the muscle. Lately, Perkins has been the Celtics' defensive point of reference and Glen Davis has replaced Garnett, who has missed 20 games. And, despite Garnett's absence, the Celtics lead the league in defensive field goal percentage (.427).

"We miss Kevin, but guys are stepping in and holding it down until we get guys back," Perkins said. "It's been difficult, but not too difficult, because Baby has stepped up his game - he's blocking shots, taking charges. We're all on the same page.

"Kevin always tells me I've got to hold the paint down and I'm trying to do that daily, and when he gets back I want to keep improving. It will make us a better defensive ball club for when he gets back."