Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Celtics go up 2-0 with the series heading to Cleveland for Games 4 and 5. LeBron James did finish with 21 points, but the Cavalier offense continued to struggle. Paul Pierce finished with 19 points, and all of Ray Allen's 16 points were scored in the second half.
For more details see Friday's edition of The Sun.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Ray Allen led the way with 11 points in the third as the Celtics inflated their lead to 19 points at the end of three quarters. LeBron James has just 13 points. Ilgauskas is still Cleveland's leading scorer with a game-high 14 points. The Cavs managed to score just 15 points in the third quarter.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Celtics orchestrated a 15-point swing between the end of the first quarter and the end of the second quarter. Cleveland's hot shooting (52 percent through the first quarter) slowed down significantly.
Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett and Sam Cassell scored five points apeice in the quarter. Leon Powe tallied another seven points, and James Posey added four points, including a steal and a dunk to give Boston its first lead of the night.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Cavaliers grab the early lead behind hot shooting of Zydrunas Ilgauskas (5-of-5) and a much more typical LeBron James peformance. James netted seven points two assists and two rebounds in the first quarter. Paul Pierce also appeared to snap out of his funk from Game 1, scoring seven points.
Cavs big man Ben Wallace left the game with 8:20 remaining in the first quarter. He was experiencing dizziness. His return is listed as doubtful.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
LeBron James' layup rolled out with 8.5 second remaining, and James Posey made a paif or free throws to ice the game as the Celtics took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Cleveland led by as much as six points in the quarter thank in part to a miserable offensive half from the Celtics.
Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas had eight points in the quarter. The entire Celtics team managed just 10 points in the quarter with Kendrick Perkins leading the way with five points. The Celtics turned the ball over seven times in the third quarter alone.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Cleveland cut the Celtics lead to four points at the half. Former Celtics guard Wally Szczerbiak was 3-of-4 from the field in the second quarter after missing all five of his attemtps in the first. LeBron James is doing almost all his scoring at the free throw line. All of James' five second-quarter points came from the foul line.
Kevin Garnett continues to lead all scorers (16 points). Rajon Rondo (15 points, five assists) is right behind him following a seven-point second quarter. Kendrick Perkins has eight rebounds. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have combined for two points and four turnovers at the half.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Celtics captain Paul Pierce picked up a pair of quick fouls in the first quarter and gave way to James Posey. LeBron James has five points, but he is just 1 of 4 from the field. Celtics forward Kevin Garnett leads all scorers with 12 points. Rajon Rondo scored eight of Boston's first 12 points.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The NBA officially announced Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has been named the 2007-08 Most Valuable Player.
Bryant beat out New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul for the honor, the first of Bryant’s 11-year career. Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett was third in the voting. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James finished fourth.
“He’s a great player,” Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown said. “You’re a little shocked this is the first time he won it, but he’s just as deserving as LeBron. I’m a little bias.”
Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers was informed of the voting by the press before tonight‘s game.
“I just thought LeBron should be higher,” he said before quipping, “We’re playing Cleveland, right? As a matter of fact. I thought he should’ve won.
“I really had no idea what the voting was. I just knew that Kobe had won. I don’t look at it all that much.”
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Paul Pierce has released a statement through the Celtics about the "menacing gesture" he made towards the Atlanta Hawks bench in Game 3. He received a $25,000 fine from the NBA. Some have also likened his gesture to a gang symbol.
Pierce's Statement:
"I don't want to take focus away from the playoffs. In sports, emotions run high. After playing for 10 years in Boston, I think Celtics fans know that I am a passionate player.
I 100 percent do not in any way promote gang violence or anything close to it. I am sorry if it was misinterpreted that way at Saturday's game.
In fact, through my Truth Foundation I am committed to giving back to youth groups and making sure young people have opportunities to succeed in life. I am extremely proud of the work I have done through the foundation to provide positive influences and safe havens for inner city kids."
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Hawks head coach Mike Woodson didn't realize his point guard had so much to say, but he's not going to let it bother him too much, even if his comments wer ill-advised.
“That’s what your teammates are supposed to do when you put yourself out there like that,” Woodson said of Bibby’s comments forcing the rest of the Hawks to step up. “I think our guys, hopefully, will come out ready to play. We can’t start the game like we did the other night.”
That being said, the Hawks probably won’t be endorsing the idea that Bibby make daily proclamations similar to the ones he made this week.
Woodson said he hadn’t known about the comments until he heard them on the news after waking up from a nap.
“I don’t think you add fuel to the fire, but hey, I didn’t get to him and he made his comments. We’re just going to have to go out there and play. You still got to win a game if you want to get out of this series,” Woodson said.
Woodson recalled a similar situation during his days as an assistant with the Detroit Pistons. Rasheed Wallace predicted victory in the next game right after a loss in the Eastern Conference championships. The Pistons did win that next game.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The war of words shifts into gear for Game 2. Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby’s comments about Boston fans, and the Boston Celtics’ reaction have ignited a somewhat entertaining back forth.
Bibby characterized Celtics fans as “bangwagon jumpers” earlier in the week, and Celtics forward Kendrick Perkins reacted in today’s edition of the Boston Globe, saying, “"If you had a 2-for-10 night shooting, you'll say something like that, too. You're bound to say anything.
“We have the best fans in the world. We don't expect players from other teams to like our fans. That's not what they're supposed to do, anyway."
Prior to taking the court for warm-ups tonight, Bibby answered Perkins by saying he doesn’t know where Perkins’ tough streak all of a sudden came from. The Hawks point guard also stated that Perkins’ stat line was probably as bad as his own from Game 1.
When told of those comments, Perkins said he didn’t have a comment.
“Man, I’m still going to go to sleep tonight,” Perkins said, attempting to put an end to the banter.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
UMass Lowell announced the full roster of committee members charged with finding a new men's basketball coach.
The candidates to fill Ken Barer's shoes figures to be long and varied. UMass Lowell Director of Athletics Dana Skinner said yesterday that he would co-chair an exploratory committee along with UML Hall of Famer and former point guard Bobby Licare.
The rest of the group members was named today. Another former basketball player, Matt McCafferty (class of 1979), will also be part of the 10-person panel. Click here to view the press release.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Boston Celtics fans are simply “bandwagon jumpers” according to Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby.
"They were kind of loud at the beginning,” Bibby told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "But a lot of these fans are bandwagon jumpers trying to get on this now. I played here last year, too. And I didn't see three fourths of them. They're for the team now and they might get a little rowdy but that's about it."
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Ken Barer, the winningest men’s basketball coach in UMass Lowell history, decided today that he will leave his post to pursue other professional options,
UML Director of Athletics Dana Skinner made the announcement.
Barer complied a record of 136-75 (.645) in seven seasons since he took over for Gary Manchel following the 2000-01 season. Barer passed Manchel for first on UMass Lowell’s all-time wins list this season.
The River Hawks reached the 20-win plateau four times in the seven seasons under Barer. Barer’s squads set program records for victories (28) in the in the 2002-03 as well as 2003-04. The 2002-03 team also set records for winning percentage (.848), consecutive wins (14), fewest losses (5).
The National Association of Basketball Coaches named Barer the Northeast Regional Coach of the Year in 2002-03.
UMass Lowell swept both the Northeast-10 Conference regular season and tournament championships in back-to-back seasons in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The River Hawks also made the NCAA tournament four times under Barer, including two trips to the Elite Eight and one appearance in the Sweet Sixteen.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Doc Rivers won’t be letting the Atlanta Hawks off the hook because they are the eighth seed.
The Celtics are heavy favorites in tonight’s opening game of the best-of-seven first round Eastern Conference playoff series at the TD Banknorth Garden. Still, the Celtics head coach isn’t buying into the theory that Atlanta has nothing to lose.
“Yeah they do,” Rivers says of the Hawks. “They have the series to lose. They have the same thing to lose that we do. I love when people say they have nothing to lose. That’s a bunch of (crap). They have just as much to lose as we do. If they lose this series, they’re going to really be disappointed. If we lose this series, we’re going to be really disappointed.”
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Rajon Rondo will sit out tonight’s season finale against the New Jersey Nets at the TD Banknorth Garden. James Posey will also sit this one out. Eddie House will return to action.
Neither player will sit due to health concerns, instead getting a night off from Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.
“I wanted to give him one day off, and I wanted it to be the last game,“ Rivers said of Rondo. “That gives him a little more rest because he’s going to have play with an amazing amount of energy. Posey, I just gave him a night off.”
House will play for the first time since Apr. 9 against Washington. He has been resting a groin injury.
The Nets plan to play their starters against Boston’s first group, according to head coach Lawrence Frank. The amount of minutes for Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson, and Devin Harris may be scaled down a bit.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
It’s official. The Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks will meet in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Indiana Pacers’ loss on Monday night locked up the eight seed for the Hawks.
The quick and dirty on Atlanta:
* The Celtics defeated the Hawks in each of their three games this season.
* The Atlanta Hawks (37-43) give up 99.6 points per game to opponents, but the Hawks average five and a half blocks per game, good enough for fourth-best in the NBA. Atlanta forward Josh Smith (2.8 blocks per game) is the league’s second-leading shot blocker behind Marcus Camby.
*Smith, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Josh Childress, and Al Horford are the only six players averaging more than 16 minutes per game during the regular season.
* Bibby is the most experienced player on Atlanta's roster with 10 NBA seasons and 51 playoff games on his resume.
* Joe Johnson is a former Celtic (10th pick in 2001 draft out of Arkansas). He played 48 games with Boston in 2001-02 before being traded to the Phoenix Suns along with Randy Brown, Milt Palacio and a first-round pick, in exchange for Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk.
Johnson was a member of the Suns from 2002-03 through 2004-05. He has played in Atlanta since 2005-06, and he has been elected to the All-Star team twice. He led the Hawks this season with 22 points per game. He also dishes out 5.8 assists per game and hauls down 4.6 rebounds per game.
Tuning in
The wins have not only raised moral, national notoriety, and expectations for the Celtics, victories have also helped ratings skyrocket this winter.
Through 69 telecasts, Comcast SportsNet reported that Celtics games are averaging a 3.5 rating (80,500 households) versus a 1.7 rating through 69 games in 2006-07. During the 2007-08 campaign, Comcast SportsNet has achieved ratings of 5.0 or higher five times and 4.0 or higher 24 times. No Boston Celtics telecast surpassed a 3.9 in 2006-07.
Comcast SportsNet’s single game high rating was a 5.7 (131,000 households) for the Celtics-Pistons telecast on March 5, 2008.
Comcast SportsNet earned four Emmy nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Boston/New England Chapter, including a 16th consecutive nomination for its Boston Celtics telecasts.
Mike Gorman and Tom Heinsohn are wrapping up their 27th season as the voices of the Green and they along with Greg Dickerson, Steve Reagan, Jim Burgoyne, Paul Lucey, Andrew Levine, Jeff Grice, James Edmonds, and Barry Alley were nominated in the Sporting Event/Game-Live/Unedited category. Comcast SportsNet’s Celtics telecasts took home the Emmy in the Sports Play-by-Play category in 1997, 1999 and 2002.
Also nominated for Comcast SportsNet were Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight and Celtics Pre-Game Live in the Sports Series category and The 2007 Head of the Charles Regatta Special in the Sports One-Time Special.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
A release from the folks over at the Celtics:
The Boston Celtics and Miller Lite will host a Road Rally at The Sky Box Restaurant and Sports Bar in Tewksbury for the team’s game on April 12. Fans 21 years of age and older are invited to watch the Celtics take on the Atlanta Hawks at a special viewing party. The Road Rally will feature multiple giveaways, including Celtics gear and autographed Celtics merchandise. Fans can sign up for a Celtics license plate and receive a limited edition Kevin Garnett t-shirt. In addition, there will be trivia questions and a best dressed fan contest to find out who has the most Celtic pride.
Special appearances will be made by Celtics legend Dana Barros, Celtics Dancers and mascot LUCKY. Party starts at 6:00 p.m. Tip-off for the game is 7:00 p.m. Must be 21+ to attend.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal left little room for doubt when he attempted to clear up what he deemed a misinterpretation of his comments in Wednesday’s Boston Globe, saying, “I don’t give a f--- what (Miami Heat head coach Pat) Riley said because I said something that wasn’t really meant like that. What I meant was that when I was on the court with (Chris) Quinn and Ricky Davis, the defense would back off. Now that I’m playing with Steve Nash, the defense has to play different. I don’t give a s--- how he interpreted it. I know what I said. Anything he said doesn’t matter to me at this point. I’m disappointed about a lot of things, but I’d never say it. If I got something to say, I’d say it to him.”
O’Neal made the comment after being informed that Riley said he was “disappointed” with O’Neal’s comments about playing with the Heat.
O’Neal was traded from Miami to Phoenix on Feb. 6.
The recent O’Neal comments that started the commotion were part of a column by The Globe’s Jackie MacMullan.
She quoted O’Neal as saying, “''I love playing for this coach and I love playing with these guys. We have professionals who know what to do. No one is asking me to play with [Heat guards] Chris Quinn or Ricky Davis. I'm actually on a team again.''
O’Neal said after Wednesday night’s game at the TD Banknorth Garden that he was just “clarifying” his statement.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
If the Detroit Pistons steal the top seed in the Eastern Conference - the spot widely assumed to belong to the Boston Celtics - the next two weeks will likely have a lot to do with it.
Starting tonight the Celtics get a small taste of life in the Western Conference. The Celtics hit the road for games against the San Antonio Spurs (44-22) tonight, Houston Rockets (46-20) on Tuesday, Dallas Mavericks (44-23) on Wednesday, and New Orleans Hornets (44-21) on Saturday.
Next week the Celtics return to the TD Banknorth Garden to play host to the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, and the Hornets.
It should also be noted that each of those Western Conference opponents are jockeying for playoff position. The top eight teams in the West are separated by less than five games.
As if the games weren’t going to be challenge enough, Celtics head coach Doc Rivers will be trying to work in playing time for new additions P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell.
Brown has played in five games since signing with the Celtics on February 27. Cassell, who was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers, has played in three games since signing on March 4.
“It's going to be tough to work guy into a rotation in that trip, but we're going to," Rivers said last Wednesday.
The Pistons begin this week 4.5 games behind the Celtics.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Detroit might want to get out and contest Kevin Garnett's jump shot. Garnett has already racked up 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting. He'd be the only Celtics player in double digits if not for a Paul Pierce three-pointer with less than 10 seconds left. Pierce has 10 points.
Rasheed Wallace turned it up, offensively, in the second quarter. After going scoreless in the first quarter, he shot 6-of-10 and put up 14 points to lead the Detroit at the break.
Kendrick Perkins has been doing man's work on the boards, grabbing eight rebounds in 15 minutes of play.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics meet tonight for the third and final time this season. The season series is on the line, home court throughout the playoffs is potentially on the line, not to mention whatever mental edge the players will obviously downplay.
"Business as usual," was the phrase used by Celtics guard Ray Allen before the game.
Detroit handed Boston its first home loss of the season on Dec. 19, 87-85, and the Celtics returned the favor on Jan. 5, 92-85, in Detroit.
Newly signed Celtics guard Sam Cassell will not play tonight, but Boston did activate forward P.J. Brown. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said he was not sure if he would play Brown tonight. Boston center Scot Pollard was placed on the inactive list.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Los Angeles Clippers officially waived Sam Cassell today.
The Celtics have been rumored for several weeks to a top candidate to sign the 15-year NBA veteran.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James is questionable for returning to tonight's game. He left the game with 4:24 left in the second quarter with a right ankle sprain.
James is two points away from 10,000 career points.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Boston Celtics didn’t add a point guard, but they did sign free agent center/forward P.J. Brown prior to tonight’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Brown has not played all season, and he had contemplated retirement before making the decision to pursue a championship with the Celtics.
“There are rare moments and opportunities that come in this league when you have a chance to win a championship,” said Brown, who added the Celtics have come after him hard since the off-season. “I think this team gives me that chance.”
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
No Kidding, the Cavaliers may have found a way to make a big push in the East.
Cleveland’s superstar LeBron James had made comments in recent weeks about wanting to get Jason Kidd in Cleveland. Instead of completing one blockbuster trade the Cavs have reportedly retooled their roster with a pair of deadline deals to bring in four additions in Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace, and Joe Smith.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The New England Riptide selected UCLA pitcher Anjelica Selden in the first round (fourth overall), Creighton catcher TJ Eadus in the third round (14th pick), and University of Alabama utility player Jordan Praytor (21st pick) in the fourth round of the National Pro Fastptich (NPF) Draft yesterday.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
As we pointed out in today’s paper, Boston Celtics second-year point guard Rajon Rondo has held his own through the All-Star break.
He will also be playing on the “Sophomore” team in tonight’s Rookie Challenge in New Orleans as part of All-Star weekend.
Rondo has cited the confidence the organization has had in him as part of the reason he hasn’t felt any extra pressure on him this season, his first year as the starting point guard. Specifically, he mentioned director of basketball operations/general manager Danny Ainge and head coach Doc Rivers.
Reportedly, Ainge even drew the line at not including Rondo in the Kevin Garnett trade talks this past summer.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen will replace Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler on the Eastern Conference All-Star Game, the NBA announced tonight.
Butler is currently out with a left hip flexor strain. The NBA All-Star Game takes place on Sunday, in New Orleans, and it will be televised on TNT at 8 p.m.
Allen will join Celtics forward Paul Pierce on the Eastern Conference squad, and Celtics head coach Doc Rivers will coach the East. Kevin Garnett was voted to the team, but he will not play because of an abdominal strain. Point guard Rajon Rondo will play in the Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam on Friday.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Boston Celtics injuries continue to pile up through the first half against the New York Knicks at TD Banknorth Garden.
The Celtics came into the game with starting power forward Kevin Garnett (strained abdominal) and starting center Kendrick Perkins (strained left shoulder) unavailable, but they can add forwards Brian Scalabrine and Glen Davis to the list.
Scalabrine left the court after playing 2:37. He has a strained groin and will not return. Davis went down in the second quarter under the Celtics basket. The rookie big man has a strained left quadricep.
Celtics backup center Scot Pollard is still working his way back after missing several games with left ankle soreness.
The All-Star break doesn't seem able to get here fast enough for the Celtics.
Boston did lead 53-40 at the half.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The folks at Comcast SportsNet have announced the launch of even more Celtics-related features.
As of Wednesday, all Celtics telecasts (home and away) can be seen in High Definition on Comcast SportsNet's new dedicated HD channel, Comcast Channel 852 or 779 (check listings for specific channel).
Celtics On Demand, featuring live game replays (posted for 24 hours) and original Celtics content, will be available to all Comcast subscribers.
Comcast SportsNet's first road game telecast will happen on Friday, Feb. 8, when the Celtics visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. Please note that while road game telecasts are available immediately only on Comcast cable systems, Comcast SportsNet is working with all cable operators to make HD road game telecasts available to all consumers. More details will follow over the coming weeks.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Celtics captain Paul Pierce was selected as one of the reserves for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team. The list of reserves was announced tonight on TNT.
Pierce joins Kevin Garnett, who was voted as a starter, and Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, who will coach the Eastern Conference squad. Pierce was fourth in the fan voting for Eastern Conference forwards with 574,159 votes (coaches voting decides the All-Star reserves).
The Celtics leading scorer, Pierce has averaged 20.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game entering tonight's game against the Dallas Mavericks.
The All-Star game on Feb. 17 in New Orleans will be be Pierce's sixth All-Star Game.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The word is out, the Memphis Grizzlies and point guard Damon Stoudamire have agreed to part ways. The reason that rings a bell in Boston is because Stoudamire has reportedly shown interest in joining the Celtics.
Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal writes that Boston is Stoudamire’s “preferred” destination.
Tillery writes: “The Grizzlies will formally release Stoudamire on Monday. He then must clear the NBA's 48-hour waiver period to become a free agent Wednesday. Boston is Stoudamire's preferred team.
He hasn't ruled out Toronto and Phoenix. Stoudamire must be on an NBA roster by March 1 to be eligible for postseason play.”
The quick and dirty on Stoudamire is that he’s a 5-foot-10 171-pound point guard in his NBA 13th season. He averaged 7.3 points and 3.9 assists in 21.5 minutes per game for the Grizzlies (13-31) this season.
Stoudamire has career averages of 13.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while playing for the Toronto Raptors, Portland Trailblazers, and the Grizzlies. He has shot 40.7 percent form the field (35.8 3-point percentage) for his career.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
In case you missed it...
Kevin Garnett forced Minneosta Timberwolves Sebastian Telfair into a turnover on the final possession of the game to secure an 87-86 victory for the Boston Celtics at TD Banknorth Garden. Boston Center Kendrick Perkins had 21 points for the Celtics and Telfair had 18 points and six assists for Minnesota in his first game against the Celtics since this summer's trade.
We'll have more on the game in Saturday's edition of The Sun.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Tonight's game between the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves will be a reunion of sorts for many of the players on both sides.
Former Celtics Antoine Walker, Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, and Theo Ratliff are making their first return to Boston with the T-Wolves. Jefferson, Gomes, Green, Ratliff, and Telfair were all traded for Kevin Garnett in July.
Third-year forward and former Celtics second round draft pick Ryan Gomes, a Providene College graduate and a New England native, has as much reason as any of the former Celtics to be anxiously awaiting his return.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo will start in tonight's game against the Washington Wizards.
Rondo missed Saturday's game in Washington with a back bruise. The Wizards defeated the Celtics 85-78 with Rondo on the sidelines. Boston committed 19 turnovers in that game. Tony Allen started in his place, recording eight points, no assists, six rebounds, and four turnovers.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Clanks never sounded so good for River Hawks fans.
The River Hawks blanketed Pace University's offensive weapons throughout the 18-point win on Satrurday. UML allowed just one player to score in double digits (Talor Losey, 10 points) and held the Setters to 28.8 percent shooting.
UML didn’t allow a second-chance point in the entire game, limiting Pace to one-and-done offensive possessions for most of the contest.
"We're still not where we need to be, but we did a better job," River Hawks head coach Kathy O'Neil said of the defensive effort. "Our defense has been hot and cold this year. I think the last couple games we've defended a little bit better and that's nice. We had to defend, we do. It's just such a tough league. You have to defend because some night you're just not going to score. If you want to be in games you're going to defend."
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
One run can change a basketball game for better or worse. Pace University came up with that run yesterday in a three-point win against UMass Lowell.
“Kevin Carr his a jumper with 10 minutes to go to put us up five and we went eight possessions in a row without scoring,” UML head coach Ken Barer said. “Missed shots. Turnovers. Missed shots. Turnovers. Eight possessions in a row. Right in the middle of the second half.”
Five missed shots and two turnovers later, the Setters were up four points and they never trailed again.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Two-time Grammy nominated Plain White T's will perform on Monday, January 14, immediately following the Celtics-Wizards game at the TD Banknorth Garden. The performance is the second of three post-game concerts presented by Verizon Wireless this season.
The Plain White T’s hit "Hey There Delilah" reached #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. The band also recently won a Teen Choice Award for “Choice Summer Song” and were nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for "Monster Single of the Year."
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
With a win tonight in Sacramento the Boston Celtics would improve to 23-3 and be on pace with the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls through 26 games.
That Bulls team featuring Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Toni Kukoc, and Ron Harper finished with an NBA record 72 wins. Chicago lost game 26 to fall to 23-3 that season.
Boston defeated the Sacramento Kings earlier this season at the TD Banknorth Garden. The Kings have faired much better at home this season with eight of their 11 wins coming at Arco Arena.
The Celtics are coming off of a 103-91 win against the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Sacramento fell at home, 106-105, to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Kings led that game by as much as 16 points.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Boston Celtics rookie forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis gets his first NBA start tonight as the Celtics will be without center Kendrick Perkins (toe injury) and Scot Pollard (back).
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers announced in his pre-game meeting with the press that Davis will be in the starting lineup.
Pollard, who was in the locker room prior to the game, said he tweaked his back getting out of his car. He also said that he tried bending over to put on socks and was unable to do that either.
“It’s felt better,” he said in replying to questions about how his back was feeling.
Pollard has had previous back issues. When he played for Sacramento he had a stress fracture, but he says he hadn’t had problems with his back in the last two years.
Rivers joked that Pollard “woke up old.” The injury coupled with the Perkins injury, caused by a bed fell on his foot, paved the way for Davis’ start.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
It has been a quiet off-season for the New England Riptide. No player trades. No swapping of draft picks. Business has been slow, and the Riptide seem to be pretty happy with that.
Eleven players from last year’s team were set to return as of early December. New England’s had a 17-player roster last season. Several more may or may not agree to return as the spring approaches.
Of the off-season losses, pitcher Danielle Henderson is retiring, Garland Cooper is not returning to the league, catcher Shelley Prochaska will not be coming back.
Slugging infielder/pitcher Tarrah Beyster, catcher KJ Kelley, and All-Star pitcher Eileen Canney have not decided if they will return. Canney is apparently weighing the option of playing overseas in Japan, but there is a chance she may play in both leagues.
As far as staff changes, assistant coach Adrian Gregory has joined the softball staff for the University of Utah.
Outfielders Gina Carbonatto, Shanel Scott, Alex Sutton, Carri Leto Martin, and Lisa Modglin will all return.
Infield returners include Lisa Iancin, Jackie Pasquerella, and Jessica Merchant will return.
Lyndsey Angus, who has played both infield and outfield in recent years, also returns. Jocelyn Forest, and Erica Beech will be back on the pitching staff.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Boston Celtics head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers was named Coach of the Month for the month of November. Rivers is the first Celtic coach to be named Coach of the Month since Chris Ford was named Coach of the Month for the month of April, 1992 when the Celtics went 9-1.
The Celtics were 13-2 for the month. The 13 wins tied the team for the most wins in franchise history during the month of November with the 1985-86 Celtics who were 13-1. The Celtics also started out 8-0 at home in the TD Banknorth Garden which is the best start at home since the 1985-86 Celtics who started 9-0.
The Celtics allowed a league-low 88.6 points per game during November and also led the league in points per game differential averaging 13.7 points more per game than their opponents, the only team in the NBA to average 10 or more points per game than their opponent.
The Celtics also posted the best field goal percentage defense in the NBA holding opponents to 41.0 percent from the floor.
This is the first time in Rivers’ career that he has been named the NBA’s Coach of the Month. He joins Ford, Jimmy Rodgers and K.C. Jones as the only Celtics coaches to win the award since its inception in the 1982-83 season.
On the Utah shuttle
The Boston Celtics assigned rookie guard Gabe Pruitt to their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash for the second time this season.
The 6’4 guard was recalled from the Flash on November 26, 2007. He played 13 minutes against the New York Knicks last week (two points, one rebound and four assists).
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Boston Celtics are as deep as your average tablespoon, depending on who you ask. However, New York Knicks president of basketball operations and head coach Isiah Thomas claims he doesn‘t think depth will be an issue.
Prior to Thursday’s game at the TD Banknorth Garden the member of the Basketball Hall of Fame made a comparison between the current Celtics and the teams he played against in the 1980s.
“It’s funny, when I was playing we used to always say if we could ever get to the Celtics bench if we could ever get to Greg Kite you know and get (Robert) Parish, (Kevin) McHale, or (Larry) Bird out of the game we’d be alright,” Thomas said. “But we never got to Greg Kite, and I don’t see these three guys going away. I think it will be the same thing.”
Thomas and the Detroit Pistons were knocked out of the playoffs by the Celtics twice during his career. In 1984-85 the Pistons were defeated in the Eastern Conference semifinals (four games to two), and 1986-87 Boston won the Eastern finals in seven games.
The Pistons did win back-to-back championships in the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons with Thomas as the point guard.
Thomas’ remarks are a contrast to those printed in Thursday’s New York Post in which Quentin Richardson of the New York Knicks questioned the Celtics depth beyond Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett.
“They're not that deep of a team," Richardson told The Post. “After those three, there's a significant dropoff."
While he didn’t directly comment on the bench players, Thomas said the dynamic of putting the three All-Stars together makes the other players on the team much more dangerous. Great players have a knack for infusing teammates with confidence, according to Thomas.
“I think when you have three players such as those they give everyone else confidence so everyone plays a step above where they normally would play,” he said. “If you isolate those guys and put them on different teams, they probably don’t have they type of confidence that they would have playing with those three guys. Playing with those three guys, they’ll make shots and do things they probably haven’t traditionally done in this league.”
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Knicks may not be in awe, but you might have heard some folks saying awe shucks, awe damn, and awe … well, you get the idea.
Despite New York Knicks swingman Quentin Richardson’s comments on how over-hyped the Celtics have been (see Friday‘s Sun for more on that), Boston greeted their visitors with a 104-59 dismantling at the TD Banknorth Garden. The 59 points was just one-point away from the Knicks franchise low.
The score pretty much speaks for itself, but Knicks president of basketball operations and head coach Isiah Thomas elaborated for anyone looking for a little added emphasis.
“We take two steps forward and one giant step back,” he said. “And I don’t know where this game came from. I thought we played extremely selfish tonight in terms of no ball movement. We didn’t screen for each other. We definitely didn’t see this type of game coming after the last two games that we played ant the way we were playing and moving. This was just not a good night.”
New York shot 30 percent from the field, and had just one player score in double digits (Nate Robinson, 11 points).
They were also out-rebounded (40-28), lost he turnover battle (forced nine, gave away 15), gave up more points in the paint (28 to 26), allowed more second chance points (11 to five), and scored six fast break points to the Celtics’ 17.
They were beat every which way, and they trailed by as much as 52 points at one time during the game.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen recorded 21 points each, Kevin Garnett had eight points and 11 rebounds, Glen “Big Baby” Davis scored 13 and hauled in six boards. Rajon Rondo finished with 10 points and seven assists.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Knicks have been a soap opera in themselves this year with the off-season legal troubles, Stephon Marbury and Isiah Thomas’ feud, and Marbury leaving the team in the middle of a road trip.
Even with all of that, the Knicks have survived. At least as much as 4-9 can be called surviving.
One person who has definitely survived has been Thomas, the Knicks president of basketball operation and head coach.
A lot of heat for the lackluster play has been placed squarely at his feet.
“I feel for him,” Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said of Thomas. “I do think they’re playing harder. I told him that. They’re playing better now as well. It’s been a heck of a ride the last month. He’s still standing and I’m glad that he is.”
Despite what Rivers characterized as “distractions” he said he thinks the Knicks players are talented, like each other, and stick together.
Allen out
River said that Tony Allen will not play tonight, and that he does not expect him to be available for tomorrow night’s game in Miami.
Allen is listed as inactive with a bruised right thing. He did not play in the Celtics game on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Rivers joked in his pre-game meeting with the press that he asked Reggie Miller on more time if he would come out of retirement and play for the Celtics. Miller, who flirted with the idea in the off-season, is part of TNT’s broadcast team for tonight’s game.
They’re getting their rest
The Celtics had yesterday off following Tuesday night’s game in Cleveland.
Paul Pierce said the rest is beneficial with a veteran team like the Celtics have this season, but he also added that guys are still shooting, lifting weights, and receiving treatment from the training staff.
The Celtic trio of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Pierce have averaged 40.4, 38.2, and 39.0 minutes per game, respectively.
While acknowledging that getting off to a slow start was a concern because of all the off-season changes to the Celtics roster, Rivers added that being 11-2 at this point in the season is not what they’re playing for.
He also attributed a portion of the high minute totals to the overtime games (they’ve played two OT games) and the fact that minor injuries have sidelined players who would be in the regular rotation. Tony Allen, James Posey, Brian Scalabrine, and Eddie House have all already missed games this season due to injury.
TNT in Beantown?
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on TNT. To put into perspective how long it has been since the Celtics were featured in a national game just look no further than Danny Ainge. The Celtics general manager and executive director of basketball operations was an analyst for the station the last time the Celtics had a home game that was broadcast on TNT.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
A collection of notes, observations, facts and stats that didn’t find their way into the newspaper story.
Magic defense
The River Hawks defenders mastered the magic trick of appearing to be in two places at the same time. They were successful in both being in position to defend the outside shot (Merrimack came in averaging eight three-pointers per game) and not leave room for too many easy baskets inside.
Stonehill did outscore UML in the paint (32 to 22), but the River Hawks did salvage the win. Meanwhile, the Skyhawks only made 6 of 17 from downtown.
“We’re aware of where the shooters are so we get to them a little quicker, make them put it on the ground, try to take away one of their driving angles so at least we know, if they drive, where they’re going to be,” UML head coach Ken Barer said. “And I think what happened tonight too is we did stop the three pretty well, but guys weren’t getting blown by on drives. We were containing the ball well. It wasn’t like we were chasing like crazy.”
Right on rookie
Barer also sung the praises of freshman Max Kerman out of Watertown, Mass.
The youngster was 2 of 3 from the field with an assist and two steals in 19 minutes, but the effort plays like hustling for loose balls and playing good tough defense were what Barer called the “essence” of Kerman.
A couple strong jabs from Ali
Sophomore forward Ali Kanaan had one of those games that will get River Hawks fans riled up. The 6-foot-9 Canadian import scored 12 points and yanked down nine rebounds. He combined with Victor Colon to provide the inside presence that opened up room for the three-point shots (UML shot 42 percent from long range).
Kanaan was 1 of 2 from long range himself, and he shot 5 of 8 overall. Six of his nine rebounds came on the defensive end.
That inside play is even more important right now as the River Hawks other Canadian import, senior forward Jerreh Saidybah, is still shelved after knee surgery.
Numerology
Along with keeping the Stonehill shooters from getting hot, the River Hawks managed to toss in their share of points.
Efficiency out of the seniors in the backcourt is always a key. How about a combined 7 of 11 shooting (4 of 7 three-pointers) and just three turnovers from UML senior guards Dashon Harper and Jamael Lynch. The duo also went 6 of 7 at the free throw line.
Harper and Lynch each finished with 12 points. Lynch, a senior transfer out of the University of Rhode Island, also dished out five assists.
The River Hawks shot 51 percent from the field as a team, and seven players got into the scoring column.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
A collection of notes, observations, facts and stats that didn’t find their way into the newspaper story.
Reserves digging deep
The UML bench provided 25 of the River Hawks’ 74 points in Wednesday’s 80-74 loss to Stonehill.
Freshman Krissy Little from Concord, N.H., had 11 points in 23 minutes of play. The River Hawks also went on a 14-0 run at the end of the first half with a group comprised largely of reserves such as Little, Liz Desir, and Tamaria Menefee.
Jen Valente, who just came back from knee surgery, played 23 minutes.
“She played a lot of minutes,” UML head coach Kathy O’Neil said while expressing some concern after the game. O’Neil pointed to the foul trouble as a contributing factor.
Limiting the top threats
Stonehill forward Kelsey Simonds came into the game scoring 17 points per game, but she was held to 15 points (including overtime) on 3 of 11 shooting.
Of the five players for Stonehill who scored 10 points or more, only Meghan Driscoll shot better than 33 percent from the field. She was 5 of 6 with 12 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes.
Numerology
Stonehill shot a paltry 29.6 percent in the first half, and 30.8 percent in the second half. So how did they come away with a win?
Aside from UML’s 31 turnovers which turned into 31 points for the Skyhawks, Stonehill piled up those hidden points with 28 points at the foul line, eight second chance points, and seven fast break points. The Skyhawks also netted three three-pointers in overtime.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned rookie guard Gabe Pruitt to their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash. Pruitt is the team’s second assignment to the NBA D-League this season. Brandon Wallace was assigned to the Flash on Nov. 13.
Pruitt, the 32nd pick in the 2007 NBA Draft, appeared in two games this season for the Celtics and was on the inactive list for six games. The USC product averaged 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.4 minutes per game during the 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
Posted By Lynn Worthy, Sun Staff
Adam Byron, 15, a freshman at Tyngsboro High School, will appear on camera as a Comcast SportsNet FanCaster during tonight's Celtics-Warriors game. Byron auditioned for the FanCaster program by preparing an audition tape of himself and sending it to Comcast SportsNet.
Just before tip-off, Byron will tape a “standup” on the newly renamed Red Auerbach pa