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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 6:48:18 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1165722&format=textPaul Pierce deep 6’s Sixers Celtics plant seed By Mark Murphy | Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP PHILADELPHIA - Paul Pierce [stats] had the option to sit out last night. But even with the Eastern Conference’s second seed clinched and the playoffs four days away, the Celtics [team stats] captain wanted in. Ray Allen, serving a one-game suspension for his elbow of Anderson Varejao on Sunday in Cleveland, caught the plane to Boston roughly an hour after notification from the league. Pierce took that as a sign. And when the Celtics fell behind their probable first-round playoff opponents by 11 points in the third quarter, he got doubly serious. “I was upset with the way we played in the first half because we allowed 58 points,” he said. “I love this game. It’s not tough for me to play at any time, no matter what. Ray was suspended, so I had to score the ball more than normal - that’s all.” Here’s what more than normal means: 31 points, 12-of-16 from the field and 7-of-9 from 3-point range that brought Pierce within one of his single game career high for treys, and in truly unusual form, not a single attempted free throw. He also made the last two stops on Sixers forward Andre Iguodala in a 100-98 win that gave the Celtics a 4-0 sweep in the season series. Unless the Sixers win tonight in Cleveland and No. 6 Chicago loses at home to Toronto, the Celtics and Philadelphia are about to get especially familiar with each other, most likely starting Saturday at the Garden. “I don’t want to give any team confidence,” Pierce said of the importance of the 4-0 sweep. But first the Celtics, with Leon Powe starting and scoring 10 points after missing 10 games to a sore knee, had to overcome some internal crankiness. Five technical fouls, including one on Doc Rivers and another on assistant coach Armond Hill, said a lot about their general level of irritation. But Pierce, along with some impressive floor generalship down the stretch from Stephon Marbury and an 18-point game from Tony Allen as Ray Allen’s emergency fill-in, eventually willed away the malaise. “I thought our bench was fantastic tonight - just everybody,” Rivers said. “We looked really good. That’s the team that’s going to win you games in the playoffs. To get them ready is important. I know Tony started, but I include him in that group, too. “It’s very difficult but you want to keep the rhythm and you want to keep the focus,” the coach added. “Actually, this time the rhythm was a lot easier than the focus. You could see it in some stretches - that low focus. We’re a defensive team, and we were giving up layups and dunks. But in the second half we played defense.” In that respect, Pierce turned in the biggest play of the night. The Sixers, trailing by a point (99-98) with 18 seconds left, got the ball back when Samuel Dalembert won the tap on a jump ball from Pierce. Iguodala isolated on Pierce at the top of the circle and, under pressure, front-rimmed his drive. Kendrick Perkins [stats] grabbed the rebound with three seconds left and the Celtics called a timeout. Eddie House was fouled and hit the second of two free throws. Iguodala, once again Philly’s option, air-balled a deep 3-point attempt under Pierce coverage as the buzzer sounded. Pierce had returned to the floor for good with 4:17 left, and immediately triggered a chain of passes that ended in a Glen Davis hoop for a 95-95 tie. Perkins followed with a post-up, only for Iguodala to dunk over four Celtics. Pierce’s 10-footer was good for a 99-97 lead with 2:07 left. Young hit only the second of two free throws, leaving the Celtics with a narrow 99-98 edge that would hold up through two possessions, before Pierce, attempting to drive, was tied up by the 7-foot Dalembert, who won the tap. Pierce’s reward will be a rest during tonight’s season finale against the Wizards. “Paul will sit,” promised Rivers. “I’m comfortable with whatever Doc says,” said Pierce, before adding, “We’ll see.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 6:49:59 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1165734&format=textDecision rests with Kevin Garnett By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP PHILADELPHIA - Kevin Garnett’s availability for the playoff opener will very much be up to the player, according to Celtics [team stats] executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge. “When Kevin plays is his decision,” Ainge said yesterday. “But I think Kevin (right knee) plays once the playoffs start. Ultimately, it’s just his decision. Could Kevin play right now?. Absolutely. But the question is whether it is in his best interests. I don’t think there’s anyone out there who feels he can’t play. It’s just a hot topic right now - like the Tom Brady [stats] knee issue (for the Patriots [team stats]).” Coach Doc Rivers, asked after the morning shootaround if there was a chance Garnett could miss the first playoff game, expected to be played Saturday at the Garden, said, “I don’t think there’s any chance of that.” But Rivers also made it clear that Garnett still needs time. “He left (for Boston) because you can get better treatment at home than here,” Rivers said. “I do think Kevin needs more time to get ready. If tonight was a big game could he play? We don’t know.” Rivers also reiterated his comments from Monday, when he said that with the second seed in the Eastern Conference clinched, he didn’t see the need to rush Garnett back into service. “It was a couple of things that influenced my decision - our (bad) performance against Cleveland (in Sunday’s blowout loss to the top-seeded Cavaliers), not having a lot to play for,” Rivers said. Garnett spent the day at the team’s practice facility in Waltham receiving treatment, and presumably preparing for the playoffs. “Nothing is worse,” Ainge said. “It’s just a matter of identifying the best opportunity for his return. Every two or three days we have this discussion. “It hasn’t taken a turn for the worse, but we want to give him the best chance once the playoffs start.” Allen suspended Ray Allen was notified of a one-game suspension for elbowing the Cavaliers’ Anderson Varejao in the groin Sunday. Allen, who hopped a flight home before the C’s beat the 76ers, 100-98, also was docked a day’s pay. Allen had charged Varejao with committing a dirty play after they locked up while trying to get position during a free throw attempt. Varejao threw Allen to the ground, and the Celts guard came back up with an elbow to the Cleveland center’s privates. “I was surprised he was suspended, with as many elbows as there are that get thrown in this league,” Rivers said. “I guess it was more the location of the elbow. The problem is that Varejao flops all game, and does that crap all game. I didn’t know you could sling a guy down to the floor.” Rivers then tried to shrug the incident off with a little humor. “(Allen) said he wasn’t allowed to have his annual Easter Egg hunt on Sunday,” he said, “so he had to make up for it.” Rivers said Allen also was scheduled to sit out tonight’s regular-season finale at the Garden against the Washington Wizards. Powe returns Leon Powe returned after missing 10 games with a sore right knee. He responded with 10 points in 16 minutes. “It felt good out there,” Powe said. “The most important thing was to get used to contact again, especially on the knee. But I don’t need much to get back into that - just a couple of times down the floor.” The greatest challenge appears to be the brace on his right knee. “I hate the brace,” he said. “But they’ve told me that I have to wear it until the end (of the playoffs), and then I can throw it away.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 6:58:22 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1165727&format=textScouting report: Wizards at Celtics By Herald staff | Wednesday, April 15, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Stuart Cahill TONIGHT - 8, TD Banknorth Garden. TV - CSN. Radio - WEEI-AM (850). THE NUMBERS 34-6: Celtics [team stats]’ record at home. 6-34: Wizards on the road. 2-0: Celtics’ edge in season series. WHO’S HURT For the Celtics, Leon Powe (knee) is questionable, while Kevin Garnett (knee) and Brian Scalabrine (neck) are out. For the Wizards, Gilbert Arenas (knee) and Antawn Jamison (ankle) are questionable, while DeShawn Stevenson, Etan Thomas and Mike James are out. WHO’S HOT For the Celtics, Paul Pierce [stats] is averaging 20.3 points per game. For the Wizards, Jamison is averaging 22.2 points and 8.9 rebounds. WHO’S NOT The Celtics had a season low nine-point first quarter Sunday in Cleveland. BOTTOM LINE One team has clinched the second seed in the Eastern Conference, and the other has a great shot at the top pick in the NBA draft lottery. The result is the most meaningless game of the year. The Celtics could snooze, but look at the above injury report. Washington simply doesn’t have the manpower.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 7:01:25 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/15/pierce_busy_in_celtics_win?mode=PFPierce busy in Celtics' win He won't rest until Sixers are finished By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | April 15, 2009 PHILADELPHIA - The Big Three were slated to take it easy last night. Ray Allen was suspended, Kevin Garnett had been sent home, and Paul Pierce was supposed to take the night off. Pierce, though, persuaded coach Doc Rivers to play him, and he finished with 31 points, providing the deciding field goal and making a key defensive stop in the final seconds of a 100-98 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. But Pierce, the only Celtic to play in every game this season, probably will not have his way for the season finale against Washington tonight. Asked about resting players, Rivers said, "I don't know about Ray; I know Paul will, whether he wants to play or not, he's not playing. [Rajon] Rondo may play or not play. We're going to get some guys some rest and start getting prepared." Recharging for the postseason will be in order for the upcoming days. But the Celtics also made some playoff preparations against the Sixers, a possible first-round opponent, rallying from an 11-point third-quarter deficit. Pierce scored 16 points in the third quarter, then went to the bench, returning for the final 4:17. The Celtics had rallied at the start of the final quarter, Stephon Marbury sinking a three with :02 on the shot clock and finding Mikki Moore to cut the deficit to 84-83 with 10:04 to play. The Celtics were assessed their fifth technical of the contest nine seconds into the final quarter, assistant coach Armond Hill earning this one (previous T's went to Moore, Rivers, Rondo, and Kendrick Perkins). The Celtics then took their first lead since late in the first half. Thaddeus Young missed out of a Sixer timeout and Tony Allen converted a 3-point play in transition for an 86-85 edge with 9:09 remaining. Pierce provided a 99-97 lead with a jumper with 2:07 to go. Young countered with a free throw with 1:21 go play, following a Samuel Dalembert block of a Pierce drive. The Sixers called time out after Dalembert won a jump ball against Pierce with 18.1 seconds left. But Andre Iguodala's drive against Pierce failed and Perkins rebounded with three seconds remaining. Eddie House converted a foul shot and the Sixers called two timeouts with 1.8 on the clock, Iguodala airballing a three at the buzzer. The Celtics' performance contrasted with their mail-it-in attitude in a 107-76 defeat at Cleveland Sunday. "If you show up, you want to win," Rivers said. "The Cleveland thing happened, so, good for them. "You want to keep their rhythm and you want to keep their focus and I think at this time the rhythm is a lot easier than their focus. "It's really tough. You could see it on their floor, some of the stretches, just low focus. At halftime, the guys - we're a defensive team, and we were giving up layups and dunks - and I just thought in the second half we played defense." Indeed, though some of Pierce's instincts for self-preservation kicked in - he did not shoot a free throw or grab a rebound - he did not hesitate to play hard-nosed defense against Iguodala. "With the playoffs coming up, I don't want to sprain my ankles going in there with the big guys," Pierce said. And this was an extremely physical contest, the Sixers' losing streak extended to six games. "We wanted to send a message," said Glen Davis, who was held out of the starting lineup because of flu symptoms. "We're going to come out and compete. The Cleveland game, that's not how we play basketball. We're trying to get better, using these games to get momentum going into the playoffs." Said Pierce, "We don't want to give a team any confidence. You know, we lose to a team and they feel like they can beat you. So, hopefully, that's what we did by winning this series, 4-0. We're not trying to give anybody confidence." Pierce shot 12 for 16, his seven 3-pointers one off his career high. And Pierce did not seem to rule out an appearance tonight. "I'm comfortable with whatever Doc's decisions are," Pierce said. "We talk to each other and we have great communication, so we'll see. "I think he did want to rest me but I told him I like the City of Brotherly Love. And I shoot well in this arena, for some reason."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 7:05:56 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/04/garnett_ready_f.htmlGarnett sent home for treatment Email|Link|Comments (20) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff April 14, 2009 12:49 PM The next time Kevin Garnett plays for the Celtics, it could be against Philadelphia -- in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Garnett (right knee) will miss tonight's game against the Sixers and Wednesday's regular-season finale against Washington in Boston. The Sixers are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and could be the Celtics' opponent when the playoffs start Saturday.Were the playoffs to start now, Garnett would likely be in the lineup, according to coach Doc Rivers. Garnett returned to Boston Monday night after traveling with the team to Cleveland (107-76 loss Sunday) and Philadelphia. "He can get better treatment back home than he can here, so we said get back home and get proper treatment," Rivers said after a morning shootaround. Factors involved in the decision to send Garnett home included "our performance in Cleveland, our focus, and not a lot to play for," Rivers said. "I'm thinking if he's going to be healthy let's go through the two practices [Thursday and Friday] and put him on the floor." Asked if Garnett's situation would have changed were the Celtics still competing for a playoff position, Rivers replied: "It may have [changed]. But we're not, so we don't have to worry about it. I do think he needs more time -- where Leon [Powe] is ready now, Kevin does need more time to get ready. If this was a big game could Kevin play tonight? He probably could, but we're not sure -- the fact that we're not sure, I think we should wait."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 7:07:34 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/Celtics, 100-98 Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff April 14, 2009 11:33 PM Neither Ray Allen (suspended) nor Kevin Garnett (right knee) were available. And Paul Pierce was supposed to take the night off. But the Celtics gave a spirited effort against the Philadelphia 76ers, taking a 100-98 victory, Pierce providing the deciding points and also making a decisive defensive stop in the final seconds. The Celtics took their first lead since late in the first half after Thaddeus Young missed out of a Sixer timeout and Tony Allen converted a 3-point play in transition for an 86-85 edge with 9:09 remaining. Pierce provided a 99-97 lead with a jumper with 2:07 to go. Young countered with a free throw with 1:21 go play. The Sixers called timeout after Samuel Dalembert won a jumpball against Pierce with 18.1 seconds left. But Andre Iguodala's drive against Pierce failed and Kendrick Perkins rebounded with 3.0 seconds remaining. Eddie House converted a foul shot and the Sixers called two timeouts with 1.8 on the clock, Iguodala airballing a three at the buzzer. Sixers by 5 Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff April 14, 2009 10:13 PM Paul Pierce scored 13 points in the third quarter, the Celtics finishing the qperiod with an 83-78 deficit against the Philadelphia 76ers. Pierce has 29 points in 26 minutes of playing time. Sixers, 58-50 Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff April 14, 2009 09:26 PM Thaddeus Young, back after missing seven games with a sprained ankle, scored on a drive 18 seconds into the contest. The Sixers won two of seven games after Young was injured March 31, entering this game with a five-game losing streak. The Celtics took control early with a 13-3 run, Leon Powe's foul shot providing a 17-11 lead 5:43 into the contest. Glen Davis, held out of the starting lineup while recovering from flu symptoms, sparked the Celtics with some extremely physical play early in the second quarter. On Philadelphia's first possession of the quarter, Davis defended against three Reggie Evans inside moves, then took a charge from Andre Iguodala. Davis then drew another foul, his free throw providing a 31-26 lead 56 seconds into the quarter. But the Sixers rallied to tie, 39-39, on a Young layup halfway through the quarter. Philadelphia scored 7 straight points over a 68-second span, on a Lou Williams fast-break dunk, and foul shots by Iguodala and Williams, the last following a Doc Rivers technical foul. Young's dunk gave the Sixers a 3-point lead. Young missed a fast-break dunk attempt, but the Sixers boosted their lead to 8. Pierce kept the Celtics in contention with two threes. But a Dalembert dunk made it 58-50 with 25.5 seconds remaining. Allen (Tony) starts Link|Comments (0) Posted by Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff April 14, 2009 08:17 PM Ray Allen was suspended about five hours before the Celtics met the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. So, the team went with another Allen -- Tony -- in the starting lineup for the first time this season. Paul Pierce was also slated to take the night off, but convinced coach Doc Rivers to allow him to play. Both Ray Allen and Pierce could be on the bench against Washington tomorrow. "Paul just wanted to play, he doesn't want to sit out two games in a row," Rivers said. Ray Allen suspended tonight Link|Comments (42) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff April 14, 2009 04:13 PM Celtics guard Ray Allen has been suspended one game without pay for elbowing Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao in the groin, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations. The incident occurred with 5:05 remaining in the third quarter of the Celtics' 107-76 loss to the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena Sunday. Allen will serve his suspension tonight when the Celtics visit the 76ers. Tony Allen will likely start in Ray Allen's place. Celtics playoff chat Friday Link|Comments (2) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff April 14, 2009 04:05 PM The Celtics will open the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday afternoon against a to-be-determined opponent. We know you won't be able to concentrate at work on Friday afternoon, so stop by at 2 p.m. and get your chat on. I'll be answering your questions on anything playoff-related. See you then.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 7:10:06 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/15/wizards_thumbnails?mode=PFWizards thumbnails April 15, 2009 When, where: Tonight, 8, at TD Banknorth Garden. TV, radio: CSN, WEEI (850). Scoring: Antawn Jamison 22.2, Caron Butler 20.5, Nick Young 10.8. Rebounding: Jamison 8.9, Butler 6.2, Dominic McGuire 5.4. Assists: Butler 4.3, Mike James 3.6, Antonio Daniels 3.6. Head to head: This is the third and final meeting. The Celtics won the first two. Miscellany: A loss will set a Washington franchise record of 63 in a season . . . The Wizards have given up an average of 103.4 points per game and are 6-34 on the road . . . Gilbert Arenas may not suit up tonight, as he continues to recuperate from left knee surgery. He did not play Monday against Toronto.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 7:11:40 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/pros_and_colleges/x250555760/Celtics-100-76ers-98-The-Truth-hurts-PhillyCeltics 100, 76ers 98: The Truth hurts Philly -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Dan Gelston/Associated Press MetroWest Daily News Posted Apr 15, 2009 @ 12:05 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers might be in big trouble in a playoff series with Boston if Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are back. Paul Pierce hit the winning jumper, scored 31 points and hindered Philadelphia's shot at the Eastern Conference's sixth seed in Boston's 100-98 win over the Sixers last night. Garnett missed the missed the meaningless game for Boston to rest his strained knee and Allen served a one-game suspension. Pierce made seven 3-pointers to overcome the absence of the two All-Stars, which had to make the Sixers wonder how they could win a first-round series against a loaded and focused Celtics team. The Celtics already had the second seed in the East locked up and could face the Sixers in the first round of the playoffs. The Sixers, though, could move up a spot to sixth and play Orlando if they win tonight in Cleveland and the Knicks beat Chicago. The Cavaliers, however, are 39-1 at home and are attempting to match the best home record in NBA history. The Sixers are only 16-24 on the road and have lost six straight games. Andre Iguodala led the Sixers with 25 points and Thaddeus Young had 18. Young returned after missing seven games with an ankle injury and showed he was back in full form when he used a spin move in the paint for a quick basket to open the game. The rest of the Sixers still have some work to do. Even with Allen and Garnett out, and Pierce on the bench most of the fourth period, the Celtics rallied from an 11-point hole to take the lead late in the quarter. The lead flip-flopped over several possessions until Pierce buried a step-back 17-footer to make it 99-98 with two minutes left. Young missed one of two free throws, then misfired a 3-pointer that could have put the Sixers up and bolstered their shot for the sixth seed. With one last attempt for the win, Iguodala tried to drive past Pierce and tossed up a floater in traffic that went nowhere. Tony Allen scored 18 points in his first start of the year for the Celtics. Glen Davis had 15 points. Allen was suspended one game without pay for elbowing Cleveland forward Anderson Varejao in the groin. Allen likely would have sat out the Sixers game anyway, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers said it was doubtful Allen or Pierce would play in tonight's finale against Washington. The Sixers will open in Orlando or Boston and will have a tough road either way. Still, watching Boston's reserves grab the lead from Philly's starters can't be much of a confidence boost if they meet again next week. The Sixers went on a 22-5 run in the first half and led 58-50 at the break. The Celtics chipped away and Stephon Marbury's first shot of the game was a 3-pointer midway through the fourth that pulled the Celtics within three. Marbury scooped a loose ball rebound and went the length of the court before dishing to Mikki Moore for a layup that made it 84-83. Allen converted the three-point play to give the Celtics an 86-84 lead with 9:20 left and they never trailed by more than four again. Notes: The 76ers held a moment of silence for longtime Phillies' TV and radio broadcaster Harry Kalas. Kalas died Monday. ... Moore and Rivers were each whistled for technicals on separate plays in the second quarter. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins each got one in the third. They got hit for technical No. 5 in the fourth period, this one on assistant coach Armond Hill . ... Marbury hopes he'd be back with the Celtics next year. "If they want me, I'll be here," he said. ... Sixers forward Marreese Speights thanked the fans for their support this year before the home finale.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 15, 2009 10:12:16 GMT -5
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