News 2/20

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1074762&format=text

C’s given boot in Denver
KG & Co. open trip with loss

By Steve Bulpett | Wednesday, February 20, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
DENVER - In a disturbing coincidence for the Celtics [team stats], their best player came back from an abdominal strain on the same night they turned in a defensive performance that was hard to stomach.

The Celts saw their opponent’s single-game high for the season eclipsed by 10 in a 124-118 loss to the Nuggets last night, making for a rocky start to their road trip here at the foot of the Rockies. Kevin Garnett couldn’t prevent the Celtics from losing their first game to a Western Conference team in 17 tries.

“We’ve got to get back to the drawing board, get back to the basics on what we do and understand we’re a defensive ballclub,” said Paul Pierce [stats] after scoring a team-high 24 points. “We’re not going to be able to just go out there and try to outscore people. But, hey, it’s a lesson we’ve got to learn. Hopefully we can learn from it right away.”

Doc Rivers also took a whack at his defense, but in a game where the C’s were out-attempted from the free throw line by 21, the coach was sharing the blame with those who carried the whistles.

“Forty-nine to 28 is one hell of a stat, when I thought we were actually driving more,” said Rivers, who saw his team shoot 19 more field goals but get outscored 34-19 from the line. “But we’re on the road and I guess that’s the way it’s going to be.

“I just wish they had let them play on both ends instead of one - just don’t call anything and let us go for it. That would have been fun. That would have been old-time basketball.”

Good thing Tommy Heinsohn wasn’t working the game for Comcast SportsNet. With the free throw discrepancy and the thin air, his head might have exploded.

But, added Rivers, “With all that, we still could have won the game. We didn’t want to get in an offensive shootout with the Nuggets. They have so much firepower. But we did that and we still had a chance to win.”

The Celtics evened the game when Tony Allen scored on a fast break to complete a 6-0 burst a little more than a minute into the fourth period. But Denver hit back hard. Allen Iverson [stats] (28 points) scored on a jumper and a three-point play as the hosts scored 13 of the next 16 points to take apparent control.

But the Celts still had something to say. They were down eight when Pierce drove and threw down a vicious jam on defending NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby, who was called for a foul. Pierce completed the three-point play and, after a Nuggets turnover, Rajon Rondo [stats] flew in to dunk home the rebound of a James Posey missed trey. The Celtics deficit was down to one with 3:35 left when Garnett follow-slammed a Pierce miss.

But Kenyon Martin scored on a Garnett goaltend and hit one of two free throws on Denver’s next possession. When Camby stepped to the right corner and drained a trifecta, it was 111-104 with 2:14 left and the Celts were grasping at straws. They still managed to make it interesting, getting as close as three with 13 seconds left. But Denver cleaned it up with free throws.

Ray Allen picked up where he left off in the All-Star Game. He scored 14 of his 28 points in the last quarter in New Orleans, and he had 14 more in the first period here. But he missed his next eight shots before hitting a trey with 28 seconds left and adding another on a goaltend.

The game was played before a Nuggets’ franchise regular-season attendance record of 19,894, many of whom were locals here to support the Celts (either that or they were Red Sox [team stats] fans who haven’t been able to catch a flight home since the World Series).

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1074784&format=text

Garnett rusty in return from injury

By Steve Bulpett / Celtics notebook | Wednesday, February 20, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
DENVER - Kevin Garnett technically returned to the Celtics [team stats] lineup last night, but no one watching believed it was the real KG.

Not after 25 days on the shelf.

“It feels like I’ve been out for a couple of years,” said Garnett, who was 2-for-7 from the floor and turned the ball over four times on the way to four points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes. “Yeah, I’m rusty as hell.”

Asked to assess Garnett’s performance, coach Doc Rivers said, “Not very good, but you’ve got to expect that when he sits out that long. He was rusty. We knew that was coming.”

Garnett missed nine games with an abdominal strain. Rivers said he will decide today whether Garnett can go against the Warriors tonight, but KG said he “absolutely” will play. “Absolutely,” he added for emphasis.

“I felt good . . . no pain actually, no discomfort,” Garnett said. “I’m trying to get my legs under me a little bit. There’s nothing that can simulate the game, the speed and how much you’ve got to anticipate different things. But for the most part, it was OK. It was good for me.”

Added Rivers: “I thought he moved pretty well, but you could see he was out of sync offensively. It’s going to take time.”

Garnett didn’t score until the second half, and the rust was evident when he got stripped twice by Nuggets players on simple moves to the hoop.

Doc feels better

Doing the right thing turned out to be a little painful for Rivers. He participated in the NBA’s day of service in New Orleans last Friday and came away with an illness that kept him from running Monday night’s practice.

After seeing doctors, he reported feeling better yesterday, but he noted his situation is not related to the flu that’s gone through the team.

“We don’t know for sure, but they think I caught something out at the Habitat,” said Rivers, who coached the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game. “A bug bit me or something. It was some kind of infection. They say a lot of the Habitat workers in New Orleans get it.”

By the ankles

When practice ended Monday, Scot Pollard began bellowing for the Celtics to get on their bus, tossing in for laughs the fact there was a gentlemen’s club nearby.

“Yeah,” said Paul Pierce [stats], “he must be healthy.”

Indeed, Pollard has had plenty of time to rest the left ankle he sprained just before training camp. He hadn’t played since Jan. 9 against Charlotte, but rest alone didn’t get him ready to play. New ankle braces did the trick.

“They told me they’re not very common in basketball, because they’re cumbersome and we change directions a lot,” said Pollard, who sat out again last night. “A lot of football linemen wear them, guys in the trenches. They work. They definitely work. Instead of slipping around on ice, I’ve got ice skates on.”

The braces won’t be visible, however. “I’m going to try to cover them up as best I can,” Pollard said, “not because I’m insecure about them, it’s just because they’re (expletive) ugly.”

And he’ll wear two, because, he said, “I’m an even guy, because if I do something on (just) one side it’ll throw off something else like my back. So I want it both sides. And also my right ankle’s not the greatest either. It’s not very solid. They’ve checked it, too. I might as well just be safe than sorry.”

Pressing concern

As the Celtics were about to take the floor for their morning walkthrough, Nuggets coach George Karl made a remark about the C’s pressing when they were far ahead in the teams’ first meeting (they led by as many as 41 and won by 26 back in November).

So is Karl really angry?

“No,” he said. “You know, they - however you want it phrase it - kicked our (butts), knocked our (expletive) off. It was painful to watch a second time.”

Still he had praise for the Celts, adding, “I thought they were for real even though we had a flat performance. I think they’ve lived up to what my beliefs were. It seems like Garnett has a focus and a passion higher than the regular season right now, and (Paul) Pierce in the last nine games has shown an anger that’s pretty impressive.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1074782&format=text

Ainge looking, but in no rush to deal

By Steve Bulpett | Wednesday, February 20, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Stuart Cahill (file)
DENVER - The Celtics [team stats] are walking softly as tomorrow’s NBA trading deadline approaches - which is a bit easier to do when you’re carrying a big stick (even with last night’s loss to the Nuggets, they own a league-best 41-10 record).

“It’s the same as any deadline,” Danny Ainge, the director of basketball operations, said yesterday. “We’re taking calls and seeing if there’s anything we can do to improve ourselves. But at the same time I don’t feel we need to do anything.”

That stance was evident when the Celtics looked hard at then-available point guard Damon Stoudamire. While he might have been nice as an insurance policy, the club ultimately felt he wouldn’t be able to take away minutes from Rajon Rondo [stats] and, more importantly, backup Eddie House.

Doc Rivers does have a voice in the personnel decisions, but yesterday he was keeping a low profile on the matter.

“I don’t pay much attention to it,” the Celtics coach said of the trade deadline. “I never have. If something happens, it happens. I don’t see us doing anything, but that doesn’t mean we’re not looking.”

Rivers has said in the past his team is thin inside and at the point. Asked yesterday what he might like to see added, he replied, “I wouldn’t even say because I don’t know if we could.

“I like what we’re doing,” he said. “I like our team.”

Rivers then added, “If we could get another guard and another big, I would take it. But I’m not going to worry about it. Danny knows what we need, and he’s going to look. But we’re not going to do anything to jeopardize our team.”

The Celtics reportedly still have interest in Clippers point guard Sam Cassell, but unless that club buys him out, the chances of him getting to the C’s are probably minimal.

The difference between Cassell and Stoudamire is that the Celtics believe Cassell could carve out a healthy role and even play with Rondo at times.

As for the inside needs, Scot Pollard would seem to be a key. If he can stay healthy - something that’s been a major issue this season - the Celts could have the extra body they need. And yesterday Pollard said he is confident that with his new ankle braces he should be ready to play down the stretch.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/20/nuggets_punch_celtics_ticket?mode=PF

Nuggets punch Celtics' ticket
By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | February 20, 2008

DENVER - Even with Kevin Garnett back on the floor, the Celtics' dominance against the Western Conference came to an end last night.

The Celtics were defeated by a West team for the first time this season, sustaining a 124-118 loss to Denver in front of a sold-out crowd of 19,894 at the Pepsi Center - the largest regular-season crowd in Nuggets history.

The Celtics (41-10) are now 16-1 against the West, including a 5-1 road mark. Boston's five-game winning streak also came to an end, as it became the last NBA team to reach 10 losses and gave up a season-high in points.

Garnett was rusty in his return from the abdominal strain that caused him to miss nine games. He had 4 points on 2-of-7 shooting and 8 rebounds in 21 minutes.

"I'm rusty as hell," said Garnett. "I've been out 2-3 weeks. Feels like I've been out for a couple of years. My legs feel good, though, obviously. Running up and down didn't help me in Denver with this [altitude] here."

Asked for his opinion on how Garnett looked, coach Doc Rivers said, "Not very good. But you've got to expect that when he sits out that long. He was rusty. We knew that was coming."

In the opener of a five-game Western swing, Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 24 points while Rajon Rondo had 22 and Ray Allen added 20. Denver's Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 29, and Allen Iverson had 28.

Marcus Camby had 11 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and blocked 9 shots - just missing a triple-double.

The Celtics made 19 of 28 free throws while the Nuggets made 34 of 49, and both Rivers and Garnett expressed displeasure with the disparity.

"We didn't get any calls, man," Garnett said. "They shot 49 free throws. We can't win any games like that.

"We don't get a lot of the same calls that are going around the league. Maybe we need to put a tape together and put it into the league or something.

"I'm not taking anything from Denver tonight - they were the better team and they beat us."

"Forty-nine to 28 is one hell of a stat, when I thought we were actually driving more," said Rivers. "But we are on the road. That's the way it's going to be. With all that, we still could have won the game."

Although Garnett seemed to get stripped in the post by Kenyon Martin with 7:22 left in the first quarter, the house statistician called it his first shot of the game. He then missed a jumper with 6:53 left in the first. And with the Celtics down, 17-9, and 6:23 left in the first, Rivers called timeout and Garnett went to the bench.

The Nuggets owned a 36-31 lead after one. With Garnett on the bench, the Celtics tied the score at 44 on a lay-in by Pierce. Tony Allen's 3-point play gave the Celtics a 51-46 lead, but the Nuggets responded with an 11-6 run to take the lead back at 57-56. Garnett returned with 2:23 remaining in the half.

Rondo raced down the court in time to throw in a running lay-in with 0.9 seconds remaining in the half to tie the game at 62.

The Nuggets used an 11-0 run - finalized by an Anthony 3-pointer - to go ahead, 75-66. The Celtics responded with a 7-0 run.

Nuggets reserve forward Linas Kleiza, who suffered a sprained left ankle in the second quarter, nailed two straight 3-pointers to give Denver a 101-91 lead.

Garnett's putback dunk brought Boston within 105-104 with 3:35 remaining, but he was called for goaltending on Martin with 3:16 left and Denver went up, 107-104. Camby's third 3-pointer of the season gave the Nuggets a 111-104 lead with 2:19 remaining.

Iverson's 3-pointer with 1:23 left gave Denver a 115-107 lead. A 3-pointer by Eddie House trimmed Boston's deficit to 119-115 with 23 seconds remaining.

Allen was credited with a 3-pointer on a debatable goaltend by Anthony with 13.7 seconds left that brought Boston within 121-118. But Anthony nailed two free throws with 11.5 seconds left to seal the win.

"We didn't want to get in an offensive shootout with the Nuggets," said Rivers. "They have so much firepower. We did that and still had a chance to win."

Said Iverson, "If teams don't know we are talented by now, then they'll never know. We have enough talent on this team to scare some people."

Camby said simply, "We needed this one."

Asked about losing to a team from the West, Rivers said, "I don't give a crap about that. I would have loved to have gone undefeated. But if you lose to them eventually, it's not a big deal.

"It's the first game on the road trip and we have to get ready for [tonight's] game. But I bet half of our guys didn't even know we were undefeated."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/20/camby_still_has_time_for_the_minutemen?mode=PF

Camby still has time for the Minutemen
By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | February 20, 2008

DENVER - When the University of Massachusetts defeated Syracuse in basketball this season, Nuggets center Marcus Camby gave teammate and ex-Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony some strong ribbing. Whether it's checking television for the scores, wearing Minuteman gear, or getting reports from his mother on games, Camby still has strong ties to his old school.

"I'm just watching from afar," said Camby, who had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 blocks as the Nuggets beat the Celtics last night, 124-118. "I keep in close contact with everybody.

"I haven't been on campus since I was in New York [playing for the Knicks]. Actually, my mom goes to a lot of games on the weekends and stuff like that. They do a good job of taking care of her.

"I love my school a lot. I also follow [former coach John Calipari] with what he is doing at Memphis. I can't discredit what he's done for my career."

The 6-foot-11-inch, 235-pound Camby was the 1996 Wooden, Naismith, and Sporting News college basketball player of the year while with the Minutemen. He led the team to a 35-2 record and its first Final Four appearance as a junior in 1996 (an appearance later vacated because of NCAA violations).

While the 12-year NBA veteran knows it won't be easy, he hopes UMass can get back to those glory days. This season, the Minutemen are 16-9.

"It seems like we haven't recovered since the year we went to the Final Four," Camby said. "We have to find a way to get some recruits in, some better players in. I think coach [Travis] Ford is doing a great job with the guys he does have there. But we have to get a couple players that can get us over the hump.

"It can definitely get back. It's going to be a struggle, especially in the New England area. They have a lot of great schools around there. UConn is getting a lot of great recruits. You still have [Boston College]. It's all about finding that one or two special players."

Several of Camby's friends came to Boston to see him with the Nuggets when they faced the Celtics Nov. 7. While they were able to enjoy seeing the 2007 NBA Defensive Player of the Year collect 17 points and 8 rebounds, the Nuggets were trounced, 119-93.

"When we played in Boston, a lot of professors came down from the university," Camby said. "I had a couple teammates who came down and watched the game. It was such an ugly game. I still had a chance to see a lot of familiar faces there."

Camby is viewed by some as one of the more underappreciated players in the NBA. The Hartford native entered last night's game averaging 9.2 points, 14.3 rebounds, an NBA-best 3.9 blocks, and 2.9 assists. While Anthony and Allen Iverson were voted in as Western Conference All-Star starters by the fans, Camby has yet to be named an All-Star.

"I felt I should have been in the game," Camby said. "After so many years of not making it, you get accustomed to not worrying about it too much."


All is quiet
The NBA trade deadline likely will pass tomorrow at 3 p.m. with nothing done by the Celtics. Executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said that "nothing is happening" and it's been "very quiet" regarding trade talk. "I like our team," Ainge said. "We're all set. Nothing is happening for us." . . . Kevin Garnett, on how it felt to be back last night: "I felt young. I felt like I was 20-something, to be honest with you. Never, ever, ever take for granted the things that you love, because when they are taken away from you, you sometimes struggle with the reality and the presence of it. I learned a lot from this injury." . . . Anthony and Nuggets coach George Karl believe Rajon Rondo is a star in the making. "I know a lot of people doubted Rajon Rondo, saying he couldn't handle the point guard situation," Anthony said. "He is doing a pretty good job right now." Said Karl, "They have a little young point guard that no one is talking about. He's playing well, too." . . . Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine missed last night's game with a right groin injury. He hopes to be available Friday at Phoenix . . . Nuggets forward/center Nene, who has been treated for testicular cancer, began light workouts Monday.


Outdoor fun
The Nuggets and Suns will play an outdoor preseason game Oct. 11 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif. The 16,000-seat stadium, site of the annual Pacific Life Open pro tennis tournament, is in a spectacular desert setting. In the only other outdoor NBA game ever played (also a preseason game), the Suns beat the Bucks, 116-103, Sept. 24, 1972, at a baseball stadium in San Juan. "Everyone who loves basketball has played it outdoors," said Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien. "We think this is a great setting for this game."


It really rated
Asked how he ranked this All-Star Weekend with his previous five appearances, Paul Pierce said, "It's tough. I want to put them right out there at the top. But it's hard when you look back at your first one. And then you look at the one when I was able to play in Los Angeles in front of my hometown. I'll probably put it right there at third of the six I've been to. It was a great atmosphere. Everyone had fun, for the most part. What topped it off was one of the most thrilling All-Star Games that I've been a part of."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.contracostatimes.com/warriors/ci_8312865

Celtics' Rondo proves point
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 02/20/2008 03:00:57 AM PST


The big concern about the Boston Celtics after they formed the Big Three -- forward Kevin Garnett, swingman Paul Pierce and shooting guard Ray Allen -- was that the supporting cast was wanting. Point guard was considered a weak link.
All the Celtics had were their three stars, people said, and not much else. Well, Rajon Rondo was listening. And, with his play, the second-year point guard out of Kentucky has issued a retort: an average of 10.4 points, 4.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 31 minutes over 46 games entering Tuesday's play.

"I know a lot of people doubted Rajon Rondo, saying he couldn't handle the point guard situation," Denver forward Carmelo Anthony said. "He is doing a pretty (darn) good job right now."

Boston, which plays the Warriors tonight in Oakland, owns the best record in the NBA. It is on pace to get the top seed in the Eastern Conference, one year after missing the playoffs. It won its first 16 games against the Western Conference.

While Garnett, Pierce and Allen are the biggest reason for the Celtics' success, a fair chunk of the credit goes to Rondo. He is proving to be the perfect point guard to play alongside three All-Stars.

He's a pass-first point guard who wreaks havoc on defense. He's cat quick, wiry strong and longer than his 6-foot-1, 171-pound frame suggests. What has really made him effective is his efficient scoring.

Coming out of Kentucky after his sophomore season, Rondo's one major knock was his poor


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outside shooting. He entered Tuesday shooting 50.1 percent from the field, which is fourth among point guards behind Toronto's Jose Calderon, Utah's Deron Williams and Phoenix's Steve Nash (Rondo is fifth if you count the Warriors' Monta Ellis as a point guard).
He's making a third of his 3-pointers (up from 20.7 percent last year). It's mostly because he's been smart enough to pull away from the 3-point buffet. He's taken nine so far this season, making three, after going 6-for-29 from behind the arc as a rookie.

Instead of chucking from deep, Rondo is relying on an improved mid-range jumper. According to NBA.com's stats, Rondo is shooting 45.5 percent (70-for-154) on non-3-pointers and layups. Last season, he made 30.8 percent (38-for-123) of those shots.

So well, that some games he's been the star for the Celtics. Feb. 10 vs. the San Antonio Spurs, Rondo had five points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds as Boston -- without Garnett -- beat the defending champs. Jan 29 at Miami, with no Garnett or Allen, Rondo stole the show as the Celtics routed Miami. He finished with 23 points and six rebounds.

On Dec. 23 against Orlando, a big matchup of two of the league's hottest teams at the time. Rondo played 38 minutes and finished with 23 points on 8-for-10 shooting with six assists and four steals in Boston's win.

"He's been great all season long," Pierce said. "He's showing tremendous confidence in his jumper, he's getting inside the creases and making passes. ... For a second-year guard, he's way ahead of what we expected and he's playing well."

Assuredly, there are still some question marks surrounding Rondo. His free throw percentage -- 61.7 -- is suspect. And, turning 22 on Friday, he's still young and inexperienced. Many a player has been swallowed up by the postseason intensity. No one can be sure Rondo won't be next.

As for now, Rondo is carving a spot in the next generation of top-notch point guards, for which New Orleans' Chris Paul and Utah's Williams carry the banner.

Rondo is young but mature beyond his years, a process being hastened by a 4-month-old daughter and the tutelage of Allen, who has taken Rondo under his wing.

He's raw but productive, maximizing his athleticism to get to the basket, rebound and be a pest on defense.

He's motivated but patient. Those close to him say he's driven to disprove his doubters, but he's content with staying in his role. One of the advantages of playing with the Big Three is that Rondo can focus on running the team. The fact that despite dominating the ball he's barely ahead of guard Tony Allen for fifth-most field goal attempts on the team is a sign that he is playing within himself.

That certainly isn't making him a weak link.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080219/NEWS22/987853493/-1/FOSSPORTS

Celtics' 'New Big 3' focused on bigger goals

By JIMMY GOLEN
AP Sports Writer


Article Date: Tuesday, February 19, 2008


AP Photo Boston Celtics' Ray Allen chases after a loose ball against the New York Knicks. The new Celtics Big Three — Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Allen — remain focused on bigger goals.





BOSTON — The Boston Garden crowd rose to cheer for the newest Celtics All-Star, and Ray Allen didn't even look up.

After all, Boston's lead over the New York Knicks was withering away and the most important thing on his mind was, still, winning.

"I was focused on what we were doing," said Allen, who was informed of his addition to the All-Star team at halftime of the Knicks game, Boston's last before the break. "We wanted to win the game. It's hard to look past what we were talking about in the huddle."

Fifty games after one of the most dramatic overhauls in the history of professional sports, the Celtics are putting together a run reminiscent of their glory days. Thrown-together stars Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce have shown they can share the ball and share the attitude that winning is the only thing that matters.

"I think everybody has decided to give up any of their individual stuff and try to do it for the team," coach Doc Rivers said. "Without that, I don't think we can win. Actually, I think that with any team that wins."

Rivers earned a trip to the All-Star game himself as the Eastern Conference coach thanks to the Celtics' best-in-basketball first-half record of 41-9.

Rivers came away looking good, with the East beating the West 134-128 on Sunday night in New Orleans. Allen was a star among stars, scoring 28 points, including three straight 3-pointers in the final 3:15.

"Clearly, if Ray was on another team, he could throw up numbers that would look All-Star worthy and not have wins," Rivers said. "But he would rather have the wins, and I'm glad the league recognized that."

The Celtics have won an NBA-record 16 titles, but their two-decade drought since their last in 1986 is twice as long as they've ever had to wait before. Last year, for the second time, the season slid away amid big hopes of landing a franchise player in the draft.

Much like in 1997, when the Celtics raced to the bottom in pursuit of Tim Duncan, they failed to get Greg Oden or Kevin Durant in the lottery this year. And it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened.

With the No. 5 overall pick — the worst-case scenario heading into the lottery — and some promising but still-developing young players like Al Jefferson and Gerald Green, the Celtics landed Allen and Garnett over the summer.

Rivers might have worried he would spend all season keeping his new big three happy. But he soon learned he had acquired coachable players who, despite their accomplishments, wanted more.

Garnett was the 2004 NBA MVP award but just once has made it past the first round of the playoffs. Allen is an eight-time All-Star who has made the playoffs once since 2001. Pierce is the only Celtics player left over from the team that went to the 2002 Eastern Conference finals.

"Individual accomplishments are great," Pierce said. "But we're in this for bigger things, for bigger goals."

Combined with point guard Rajon Rondo and center Kendrick Perkins — and a whole bunch of spare parts — the Celtics ran away from the rest of the NBA before a 10-game stretch in January when they picked up five of this season's nine losses.

The Celtics are 131⁄2 games ahead of Toronto in the Atlantic Division, and three games ahead of Detroit in the race for the best record in the NBA. They are 11-1 against their own division and 16-0 against the other conference — the fearsome West, which has won six of the last eight NBA titles. They play at Denver on Tuesday night.

"Some teams struggle to get 40 wins in a whole season," Allen said. "We put ourselves in a good spot. It's in our control. But we want to do better than just control it. We want to own it."

Even after Garnett went out with a strained abdominal muscle Jan. 25, the Celtics kept winning. In fact, they've won seven of nine without him, including five straight heading into the break.

The 6-foot-1 Rondo has averaged seven rebounds a game since Garnett was hurt. Glen "Big Baby" Davis had a nine-point, eight-rebound game against Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs. Leon Powe, who essentially didn't play before Garnett was injured, has had a pair of double-doubles and came close three other times in the nine games since.

"Maybe at the end of the day, in a crazy way, it might be a good thing for the other guys, getting confidence," Rivers said. "Kevin's getting rest. So maybe that's a good thing."

But Rivers would just as soon not have too much of this particular good thing.

"We talked about it when Kevin went down, that if everybody pitches in and does their job, we can cover up for it for a short term," Rivers said. "We know for the long term it wouldn't be good."