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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 7:50:28 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1066081&format=textNo Jersey barrier Defense puts C’s back on winning road By Steve Bulpett | Saturday, January 12, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics  Photo by AP EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Celtics [team stats] had lost a grand total of three games in the first 68 days of their season, but there they were last night, staring at a second defeat in a span of some 51 hours. Unable, or unwilling, to deal with such horror, however, the Bostonians rose from the swamp and turned the beating around in a Meadowlands minute. They held the Nets to nine points on 3-for-19 shooting in the last quarter to take an 86-77 victory. In the wake of Wednesday’s home loss to Charlotte, the Celts were comfortable in the role of avengers. They are now 4-0 after their losses, winning by an average of 25.5 points. They also improved to 30-4 overall, matching the 1959-60 championship teamfor the best start in franchise history. “It just shows this team is able to respond to a loss with a big win,” an under-the-weather Paul Pierce [stats] said after his team’s 10th straight road win. “This team is just showing a lot about itself. We felt like we shouldn’t lose at home. We wanted to bounce back. You could see it on the guys’ faces. We were going to be up for this game.” They may have to be up even more tonight in Washington if starting point guard Rajon Rondo [stats] is unable to go. He suffered a lower back injury in a fall after fouling Richard Jefferson in the third quarter. He was out the last 17:03. “I fell off the court, and my back hit the corner of the court,” Rondo said. “I don’t know yet (about tonight). It’s a sharp pain. I tried to go up and down two possessions and I couldn’t do it.” The Celtics’ ability to finally get back on transition defense and stifle New Jersey’s outside game was key. But they can’t take any credit for defending the Nets at the line. The hosts shot a hideous 9-of-24 from the stripe (37.5 percent), while the C’s had their own issues at 13-of-21 (62 percent). And the Celts’ overall prospects weren’t helped by New Jersey’s 19 offensive rebounds, which gave it 14 more field goal attempts. The Celtic defense had to be good. “It was awesome,” C’s coach Doc Rivers said. “It was tremendous. One, we got back. They didn’t get any transition. We ran them off the 3-point line, two. And we made shots, which made them take the ball out of bounds. “We ran our stuff (offensively). We hadn’t seen a lot of zone. Charlotte ran it a little bit, but we were so effective against it. Once we started running our stuff and spreading the floor, we got what we wanted. “It was a good character win in a lot of ways, coming off a loss and being down early.” The Nets seemed stunned, which is only right when you consider three of their nine points in the last quarter came on a meaningless Jason Kidd 3-pointer in the waning seconds. By that time, the Celts had ripped off 23 final-period points and packed some relief in their luggage for the late-night train ride to D.C. “We were steadfast,” said Kevin Garnett after posting 20 points and 11 rebounds. “We knew they were going to come out and be explosive here at home. We took that punch. I think whenever you go through something, especially when it’s a difficult situation, you see the true character of your personnel. I think Charlotte sort of showed everybody that we are human, and we have to come out and play together. We’ve been taking teams’ best punch and their best one-two, and we’ve been able to learn to take it and then come back with a run.” The Celts were seriously schizophrenic, shooting 77 percent from the floor in the second quarter and following it up with a 23.5-percent third. That took them from a three-point lead at halftime to a 68-63 deficit entering the fourth. Needing a lift, the Celtics again turned to Glen Davis. The rookie scored six straight points inside while the club was in the midst of a 13-0 run that put it up 76-70. That’s when Garnett came in for Davis and tried to take this one home. But with the lead up to seven a few minutes later, Eddie House missed two treys in search of the dagger. With the Nets missing five straight from the floor coupled with a turnover, the Celts kept getting their opportunities. House ultimately spotted up on the right wing, took a feed from Pierce and stuck a 3 to make it a 10-point game with 1:26 left. “Stick the knife in their heart, and it was over after that,” House said.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 7:55:12 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1066082&format=textTeam knows no better alternative By Steve Buckley / Celtics Notebook | Saturday, January 12, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Celtics [team stats] are well aware that clothes don’t make the team. But they weren’t taking any chances when they took the floor against the Nets last night. With their 86-77 win at the Izod Center, the Celtics have yet to lose in their alternate green-and-black uniforms this year, so expect equipment man John Connor to have them waiting for the team in Washington tonight. The club has lost twice in the traditional road uniforms and once each in the throwback greens and regular home whites. Asked before the game if he was superstitious about the uniforms, Paul Pierce [stats] said, “Sometimes I am. I ain’t going to lie to you. I was a little skeptical when we wore the throwback ones against the Lakers (in Los Angeles). We’d lost the last time we wore them (at home against Detroit), but then we beat the Lakers, so I guess that made them OK again.” As for the alternate threads, the captain said, “We need to wear them permanently. Those are nice on the road, the black and green ones. I just know they look nice.” As one who’s into the history of the game, Pierce also appreciates the regular uniforms - the same ones Bill Russell wore when he finished up in 1969. “I like those, too,” he said. “We’ve got the classic uniforms. The Celtics jerseys always sell good because they’re classic.” By league rule, the Celts are required to wear their alternate jerseys for a minimum of six games. The maximum they can use them is 18 times. America wants the C’s The Celtics like the fact they’re now in demand by national television. ABC announced it was moving the Jan. 27 game at Orlando and the Feb. 10 game against San Antonio to the 1 p.m. national window. In addition, ESPN is jumping on the C’s Feb. 22 game at Phoenix. “It’s fun whenever you get a chance to be nationally televised,” said Pierce. “For those who don’t have the NBA (cable package), they can check out the Celtics now. “But this is all because we’re doing good. That’s the way it’s always been. You have to be good. With the way we’ve been, I’m used to them taking games away - not adding them. I think we were supposed to be on one game last year, and they took that thing away so fast.”cw0 For coach Doc Rivers, this will be the first time he’s participated in an ABC game since he was the color commentator for Game 5 of the 2004 NBA Finals between Detroit and the Lakers. “I guess it’s good for the organization, and it is a sign you’re doing well as a team,” Rivers said. “But beyond that I really don’t care.” Toughest opponent yet The Celtics will face some stiff competition tonight and it won’t necessarily be coming from the Washington Wizards. The C’s tip off at 7:30, while the Patriots [team stats] game will oppose them on TV some time around 8. “The Patriots don’t play (tomorrow)?” asked Pierce. “They play (tonight)? Damn.” Thinking about the choice for a second, he said, “Yeah, if I was a fan, I’d probably watch the Patriots game, too. It’s the playoffs, man. You got to watch playoffs.” Rivers was under the impression the Pats were kicking off at 4:30. “Goddarn, that sucks,” he said of the Pats’ later starting time. “I was hoping it started earlier. Not because of (conflicting with the Celtics game); I wanted to watch some of it.” . . . Rivers will have a long day at Washington’s Verizon Center. He’ll be there in the afternoon to watch his son Jeremiah play for Georgetown. Then he’ll remain at the arena to further prepare for his own team’s game.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 7:56:55 GMT -5
Double whammy on Hawks By Herald wire services | Saturday, January 12, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics The Hawks lost a doubleheader. Commissioner David Stern took away an Atlanta win in the afternoon, then the Hawks fell in overtime as Antawn Jamison scored 22 points and Caron Butler added 21 to lead the Washington Wizards to a 102-98 victory over the hard-luck Hawks last night in Atlanta. About three hours before the game, the Hawks received a jarring blow: The NBA upheld a protest filed by the Miami Heat after an overtime loss in Atlanta last month. Stern took away the Hawks’ 117-111 win, ruling the final 51.9 seconds must be replayed because the home scoring crew mistakenly ruled that Shaquille O’Neal fouled out, when he actually had only five fouls. The league’s first replay since 1982 will be held before the next game between the teams, March 8 in Atlanta. It will be Miami’s ball, with the Hawks leading 114-111. Raptors 99, Knicks 90 - Chris Bosh had 40 points and 11 rebounds for Toronto in the win over host New York. Starting forward Zach Randolph was benched the final 31-plus minutes after appearing to have a dispute with Knicks coach Isiah Thomas. Randolph was yanked 20 seconds after committing an offensive foul with 7:35 remaining in the first half. New York has dropped five straight at home. Bulls 100, 76ers 97 - Andres Nocioni scored 27 points, Joe Smith added 19 and Chicago rallied to beat reeling Philadelphia. Ben Gordon scored 15 points and Kirk Hinrich had 11 for the Bulls, who improved to 14-20 overall and 5-3 under interim coach Jim Boylan. Andre Iguodala scored 25 points, Samuel Dalembert had 21 and a season-high 20 rebounds, and Andre Miller added 20 points for the Sixers, who dropped their season-high sixth straight game. Rockets 113, Timberwolves 82 - Luis Scola had 22 points and nine rebounds and rookie Carl Landry had 15 points and 11 rebounds, both career highs, as host Houston beat Minnesota to win for the seventh time in the nine games Tracy McGrady has missed with a left knee injury. Yao Ming scored 15 points in only 28 minutes as the Rockets blew out the Timberwolves in the first half and cruised to their season-high fifth consecutive victory. Cavaliers 113, Bobcats 106 - LeBron James scored eight of his 31 points in the second overtime and pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds to lead Cleveland past visiting Charlotte. James’ 30-footer gave Cleveland a 103-102 lead early in the second overtime. He followed with a free throw and a jumper before Damon Jones’ 3-pointer from the corner gave Cleveland a 109-102 lead with 1:27 left. Hornets 114, Heat 88 - Bobby Jackson made a career-high seven 3-pointers and finished with 25 points, helping host New Orleans roll past hapless Miami. New Orleans (24-12), off to its best 36-game start in team history, made 13 3-pointers and shot 61 percent overall in winning for the ninth time in 11 games. Lakers 110, Bucks 105 - Kobe Bryant scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter despite a viral upper respiratory infection, Andrew Bynum had 25 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, and host Los Angeles beat Milwaukee for its season-high fifth straight victory. Nuggets 113, Magic 103 - Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points and Anthony Carter had 14 of his career high-tying 21 in the fourth quarter, lifting host Denver over Orlando. Orlando’s Dwight Howard finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, his NBA-leading 33rd double-double. Mavericks 90, SuperSonics 70 - Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points in just three quarters, Josh Howard added 18 and visiting Dallas beat hapless Seattle for its season-best sixth straight win. Warriors 116, Grizzlies 104 - In Oakland, Monta Ellis made his first 11 shots and scored 27 points as Golden State beat Memphis for the fifth straight time. Elsewhere in the NBA - Golden State guard Troy Hudson will be out for the season after undergoing surgery on his left hip. . . . Indiana Pacers center David Harrison was suspended for five games by the NBA for violating the league’s anti-drug program. Article URL: www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1066100 |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 7:58:56 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/01/12/celtics_avoid_another_trip?mode=PFCeltics avoid another trip After surprising loss, they notch 10th straight road victory By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | January 12, 2008 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Maybe they sleep better on the road. Maybe the opposing crowd revs them up. Maybe they are just a really good team and the whole road thing means nothing. Whatever it is, the Celtics got back to their winning ways with an 86-77 victory over the Nets at the Izod Center last night, their 10th straight win away from the Garden. Two days after suffering their fourth loss of the season, the Celtics improved to 14-2 away from home. The Celtics tied the second-longest road winning streak in team history. The franchise record is 13 road wins in a row, set by the 1964-65 team. "I was happy with the effort," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, whose team became the ninth in NBA history to reach 30 wins before their fifth loss. "It was a good character win in a lot of ways coming off a loss." Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen combined for 54 points on 21-of-39 shooting for the Celtics, while the bench added 27 points. Boston, however, lost point guard Rajon Rondo to a back injury, and it's uncertain whether he'll play tonight against Washington. "It's interesting, because when you win games, you don't think about the last game you won. You let it go," said Allen, who returned after missing Wednesday's surprising loss to Charlotte because of a pinched nerve in his neck. "In the same situation, with a loss, you have to let it go. But you learn more lessons when you lose than when you win. "We have a mature group of guys. When we go out there, our mistakes have to be very few out there on the floor. It's hard to put a finger on [our road success]. But we just like to win games. Our habits are consistent on the road, too." Following Wednesday's loss, the Celtics wanted to focus on tightening up their defense, already best in the NBA. Boston did just that by holding New Jersey to 36.5 percent shooting, including 6 of 23 from 3-point range. The Celtics outscored the Nets, 23-9, in the fourth quarter by limiting New Jersey to 15.8 percent shooting (3 of 19). "Our mind-set was to get back on track, more than anything, defensively," Garnett said. "We were trying to be a lot more talkative. Communication was big. [Jason Kidd's] been on a tear with these triple-doubles. We were trying to control him. We wanted to slow some of that down. We know they score a lot of points in transition, so we wanted to make that an emphasis, too." Kidd still narrowly missed a triple-double with 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. The 9 points in the fourth marked the fewest by the Nets in any quarter this season. It was also the first time the Celtics held an opponent to fewer than 10 in a quarter in 2007-08. The Nets, who prefer an uptempo style, scored only 8 fast-break points, and missed 15 of 24 free throws. "We had our ups and downs, but we finally made a defensive run in the fourth quarter," said Pierce, who had 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists despite suffering from a stomach ailment all day. "We limited their second opportunities." Nets forward Vince Carter, who missed 13 of 20 shots, said, "The shots were there. We had good looks, we had great looks. It's just tough because we were getting everything we wanted, just couldn't finish." The Celtics owned a 47-44 lead at halftime after shooting 57.1 percent. Garnett scored 14 of his 20 points in the first half and Allen had 11 of his 16. The Celtics actually trailed by 12 points before outscoring the Nets, 25-14, in the second quarter to take the lead. The Nets, however, outscored the Celtics, 24-16, in the third to go up, 68-63. The Celtics opened the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run to take a 76-70 lead on an Allen 3-pointer with 6:12 remaining. Boston also scored 5 points on three turnovers in that stretch. An Eddie House 3-pointer gave Boston a 79-73 lead with 4:52 left. "We just ran out of steam," said Nets coach Lawrence Frank. "It was a combination of their defense and our shots we couldn't make." An Allen reverse lay-in gave Boston an 81-74 lead with 2:58 remaining. House missed two 3-pointers before nailing a trey with 1:26 left to give the Celtics an 84-74 lead. "I just felt like I just needed to make one, especially at that point right there," House said. "We didn't want to give them life. Stick a knife in their heart and it was over."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 8:01:17 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/01/12/rondo_wrenches_back_in_fall?mode=PFRondo wrenches back in fall By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | January 12, 2008 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - How point guard Rajon Rondo's back feels this morning will likely determine whether he will play tonight against the Washington Wizards. Rondo left the Celtics' 86-77 win over the Nets last night after injuring his back in the second quarter. He fell hard following his foul on Richard Jefferson, landing on a dip where the hardwood playing floor and the floor for the fans meet. Rondo finished 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist in 22 minutes. Rondo said he would take painkillers after the game but had no plans to see a physician. If Rondo does not start tonight, coach Doc Rivers said Tony Allen would likely take his place. "I don't know yet [about Washington]," Rondo said. "I tried to play for two possessions but there was sharp pain and I couldn't do it." Rivers doubleheader Rivers said he will have a "nice day" at the Verizon Center in Washington today. He will be on hand when his son, Jeremiah, plays for Georgetown against Connecticut at 2 p.m. And Jeremiah is expected to be in attendance when the Celtics play the Wizards at the same venue at 7:30. "It's tough to watch any of his games because you're a parent," Rivers said. "You don't have any positive thoughts when you watch your own kids. Everything is, 'Don't screw up. Don't do this. Don't do [that].' You never say, 'Go kick his [butt].' That's what you should think. "As a parent, you're just nervous. It's just tough." Looking ahead The Nets are 13 games back in the Atlantic Division. Even so, Nets coach Lawrence Frank said they are more worried about themselves than the division or the Celtics. "You have to give Boston a great deal of credit," he said. "They are off to a historical start. We never look at teams in front or behind. We don't talk about wins. It's all about the process and then we'll see how many wins we got. "We don't feel like we're chasing Boston. We are about ourselves and at the end of the year we'll see where we are at." Kidd passes Thomas With nine assists last night, Nets guard Jason Kidd passed Isiah Thomas for fifth place on the NBA's all-time list, giving him 9,065 for his career. Thomas had 9,061 . . . Frank credited moving ex-UConn center Josh Boone and ex-Boston College forward Sean Williams as part of the reason the Nets have played well recently. Before last night's loss, the Nets were 8-3 when Boone and Williams joined guards Kidd and Jefferson and forward Vince Carter in the starting lineup. Williams is averaging a rookie-best two blocks per contest and tied a Nets rookie record with eight against the Kings Dec. 18. Boone is averaging 10.6 points and 9.1 rebounds this month. "Our two young big guys are complementing Jason," Frank said before the game. "We're getting more buckets in transition. We struggled to score. Now we are scoring easier. We're defending the 3-point shot. We're getting bench contributions. We're forging an identity. We know what to expect from each other on a nightly basis." . . . The Celtics won't have to face three-time All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas tonight or Monday since he is out indefinitely with a partial tear of his left medial meniscus, suffered in November. But even without Arenas, the Wizards are 15-11 after last night's 102-98 overtime win over Atlanta. Labor of love? While Rondo is a huge Benihana fan, a pregnant woman's love for the restaurant had him beat in New York City Thursday night. Rondo and his publicist, Ilana Nunn of BDA Sports, went to dinner at a Benihana in Manhattan. While sitting around a large grill at the Japanese restaurant with several people he didn't know, a pregnant patron began having contractions. Instead of going straight to the hospital, the woman grimaced every time she had pain and didn't depart with her husband until she finished eating. "She was having contractions about six minutes apart," said Rondo, a father of an infant. "I've been through it, so it didn't freak me out. But I don't think she should have been in that situation, either. But, hey, to each his own."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 8:29:37 GMT -5
www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1200116116183390.xml&coll=1Pierce makes a prediction Saturday, January 12, 2008 BY DAVE D'ALESSANDRO AND DAVID WALDSTEIN Star-Ledger Staff The Nets weren't accepting back-slaps after last night's 86-77 loss to the Celtics, but they did get Paul Pierce's attention. The Boston forward, who outplayed Richard Jefferson, came away with a favorable impression of the Nets and predicts they'll be a top-four seed in the East. "They're a better team, definitely," Pierce said, contrasting the Nets with the team Boston had crushed in two earlier meetings. "They're getting healthy. They're playing better basketball. Jason Kidd is getting comfortable, Vince (Carter) has really been playing well. They're going to be one of the top four teams in my eyes, toward the season's end. They're going to take one of those seeds." Kidd had nine assists last night to pass (yet another) milestone, leap-frogging Isiah Thomas to take over the No. 5 spot on the all-time list. Kidd now has 9,065 assists, but the No. 4 spot -- occupied by Oscar Robertson, with 9,887 -- is out of reach this season. The Nets cleared another hurdle yesterday in their quest to get out of New Jersey when the New York State Supreme Court judge threw out a petition by neighborhood groups seeking to stop the Atlantic Yards project. At issue was the group's claim that Forest City Ratner did not conduct sufficient studies on environmental factors such as traffic, crowd, and terrorism issues. Team owner Bruce Ratner welcomed the decision by declaring the team is "full speed ahead on the project," which includes Barclay Center, office towers and 6,400 apartments. As for the immediate future, "I want to emphasize that we are committed to staying in the Izod Center until we move to Brooklyn in the 2010 calendar year," team CEO Brett Yormark reiterated last night. Just when the Nets had been feeling better about Josh Boone's free throws, he shot a doughnut last night. But his 0-for-6 was only part of a team-wide trend, as the Nets went 9-for-24 for a season-worst .375. Still, they need more out of Boone, because he is likely to get the lion's share of whistles as the starting center who lives around the rim. So coach Lawrence Frank was hoping Boone's recent 10-for-21 represented progress from his season norm (.305). "It's never been for a lack of practice," Frank said. "What was happening to Josh early in the year is he was rushing his routine a little; then if he missed one shot, he was just shooting it to shoot it -- as opposed to taking his time, getting the clutter out of your mind, and don't let one miss affect the next shot." Boone was brilliant otherwise, finishing with 14 points, a career-high 16 rebounds (eight offensive) and a career-high four blocks. Clearly, the misadventures at the line aren't affecting the rest of his game. "I'm still going to go to the basket the way I do," he said. "I'm not afraid to get fouled. I know if I step to the line, hopefully I'll make it, and if I don't make it, so what? I'll shoot the next two."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 8:32:37 GMT -5
www.nytimes.com/2008/01/12/sports/basketball/12nets.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=basketball&pagewanted=printNets Fade in Fourth as Celtics Take Over By DAVE CALDWELL EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the Nets began handling the basketball Friday as if it weighed 22 pounds instead of 22 ounces. Open shots hit the rim, and passes skipped off their hands and to the Boston Celtics. During a withering stretch early in the fourth quarter, the powerful Celtics made the weary, overmatched Nets pay for every gaffe. Boston scored 13 consecutive points to wipe out a modest Nets lead and rolled to an 86-77 victory at Izod Center. “We just kind of ran out of steam,” Nets Coach Lawrence Frank said. A capacity crowd of 19,990 accompanied the Nets’ collapse with groans. The Celtics (30-4), who have the best record in the N.B.A., won their second game of the season against the Nets (18-18), who had won six of their previous seven games. The Nets had a 70-63 lead on a driving layup by Richard Jefferson with 11 minutes 38 seconds to play. But Boston, coming off a loss at home Wednesday to Charlotte, scored the next 13 points. Six came from the reserve forward Glen Davis. The Nets made only 3 of 19 field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter. During the Celtics’ 13-0 run, the Nets missed eight shots from the field and two free-throw attempts. They also turned over the ball on three straight possessions. “We had the shots we wanted — open shots. But they just didn’t fall,” said Vince Carter, who was 1 for 7 from the field in the first half and 1 for 5 in the fourth quarter. The Nets did not help themselves by making only 9 of 24 free throws in the game. Nets center Josh Boone scored 14 points and established career highs with 16 rebounds and 4 blocked shots, but he missed all 6 of his free-throw attempts. Boone sat at his locker after the game, a blue towel draped over his lap. He put a statistics sheet on the towel and gazed hard at it, looking for clues as to why the Nets had lost. One number popped out: the Nets’ 37.5 free-throw percentage. “I’m still going to go the basket the same way I always have,” Boone said. Jason Kidd moved into fifth place, ahead of Isiah Thomas, on the N.B.A.’s career assists list by flipping a pass to Carter, who sank a jump shot with 8:07 left in the third quarter. It was the 9,062nd assist of Kidd’s career. But Kidd was ill. He hardly participated in the Nets’ morning shoot-around, Frank said. A Nets spokesman said Kidd had taken intravenous fluids at halftime because he was dehydrated. He had 13 rebounds and 9 assists, but he shot only 4 of 15 from the field. “We did a lot of things that would usually lead to us getting blown out by 20 points,” said Jefferson, who led the Nets with 17 points, “but we competed, which is not something we have been doing consistently all season except for the last 10 or 11 games.” The Nets were a much less cohesive team when they last played the Celtics, on Nov. 14 — a game they lost by 22 points. They regarded Friday’s game against the Celtics as a more accurate barometer of how they matched up against the league’s elite. The Nets did well for a while. Carter and Bostjan Nachbar made 3-pointers in a 30-second span late in the third quarter to give the Nets a 6-point lead. Carter missed another 3-point attempt on the Nets’ next possession, but the rebound popped to Kidd. Kidd could have driven down the lane for a layup, but he instead fired a sharp pass to Carter swooping to the basket along the baseline. Carter caught the pass and slammed the ball through the hoop with one hand. The crowd roared. It looked as if the Nets would actually have a chance to topple the Celtics. But Boston was too deep and, as a result, the Nets began to slog up the court and fall behind on the scoreboard. “We’ve just got to get it done against good teams,” Carter said.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 8:37:29 GMT -5
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/11/AR2008011103957_pf.htmlClashes With Celtics Highly Anticipated By Ivan Carter Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, January 12, 2008; E04 ATLANTA, Jan. 11 -- Entering Friday's game against the Hawks, the Wizards were fully aware of the importance of getting a win against a division rival. But they also understood what is in store for them on Saturday night when the Boston Celtics make their first visit to Verizon Center this season. The Wizards will see the Celtics again on Monday night when they visit Boston for the second time this season. On Nov. 2, the Celtics opened their season with a 103-83 win over the Wizards at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden. Saturday night's game has been sold out for several days and Wizards forward Caron Butler is anticipating a special atmosphere. "It kind of brings you back to the feeling you had playing college basketball," said Butler, who starred at Connecticut, which will be in town to face Georgetown on Saturday afternoon. "The crowd is going to be into it and you know that there will be extra energy in the building because of what they've been doing. There will be a lot of stars out there on the floor at the same time. It will be fun." In the Nov. 2 game, Celtics forward Kevin Garnett reminded everyone that he is one of the best players on the planet, finishing with 22 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals. Gilbert Arenas led the Wizards with 21 points and Butler added 18 as the Celtics held the Wizards to 35 percent shooting. The Wizards also went 0 for 16 from three-point range and committed 20 turnovers. UP NEXT Tonight vs. Boston7:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 Monday at Boston7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 UP NEXT Tonight vs. Boston7:30 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 Monday at Boston7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 12, 2008 8:52:52 GMT -5
www.metrobostonnews.com/us/article/2008/01/11/03/3138-72/index.xmlPierce is starry eyed Even with All-Star season, he could be left out next month NBA. The campaign trail will have to do without Paul Pierce this voting season. While the Celtics’ captain has earned the lofty praises of coaches and scouts across the league, he’s thus far been left out of the hearts of balloters for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. Pierce remains in a distant fourth place among Eastern Conference forwards for the Feb. 17 game in New Orleans, behind teammate Kevin Garnett, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Toronto’s Chris Bosh. Unlike Bosh, who has launched a hilarious grassroots campaign for the fan vote on YouTube, Pierce has remained low key. “That won’t do me no good,” Pierce said. “When you’ve got Kevin Garnett and LeBron James ahead of you, there’s no chance.” Indeed, Garnett and James lead all players in votes by a significant margin — both were ahead of Bosh and Pierce by more than a million votes in the fourth set of returns, released yesterday — and Bosh’s cowboy hat and hillbilly accent seem like an escapade that will be all for naught at this juncture. But, even Celtics teammate Brian Scalabrine has starred in a tongue-in-cheek promotional video against Pierce, which airs on the video boards during games at the TD Banknorth Garden. Pierce only scores so many points, the backup forward says, because Scalabrine continues to pass him the ball. Still, Pierce won’t budge. “Once Kevin Garnett came to the Eastern Conference, I went, ‘There goes my chance of starting,’” Pierce said with a smile. A five-time All-Star, Pierce is taking it all in stride. He is averaging 21.2 points per game, his lowest in eight years due to the scorers around him, but Pierce’s assists are up. More than that, it’s been his defense the league is raving about. If Pierce doesn’t earn the fan vote, he can still be named a reserve when the head coaches make their picks, and Doc Rivers has already stated he will do some politicking if necessary. But when it’s all said and done, Pierce said he’s got other things on his mind. “It would be fun,” Pierce said. “[The] All-Star [Game] is always fun, getting a chance to be around your peers and being recognized for what you’ve done throughout the beginning of the year. If I had an opportunity to make it, that would be great. If not, I’m more interested in having a bigger goal with this team that I’m playing on right now than making the All-Star Game.”
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