In the News

Collins hopes blast from '82 Game 7 inspires 76ers (Yahoo! Sports)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Before coach Doug Collins had his Philadelphia 76ers look ahead to Game 6, he had them rewind the tape to a dusty Game 7.

Iguodala leading the way in postseason for 76ers (Yahoo! Sports)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Andre Iguodala is winning games for the Sixers and winning over Philadelphia with each clutch basket.

76ers stun Celtics 92-83 in Game 4 to even series (Yahoo! Sports)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Andre Iguodala snapped a tie game with five straight points in the final 90 seconds to help the Philadelphia 76ers storm back from 15 points down in the first half and stun the Boston Celtics 92-83 on Friday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Celtics beat Hawks 83-80 to advance in East (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Kevin Garnett had 28 points and 14 rebounds, hitting a jumper to give Boston the lead with 31 seconds left, and the Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 83-80 in Game 6 on Thursday night to win their first-round playoff series and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the fifth straight year.

Rivers: Celts' Pierce to play despite MCL sprain
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said that Paul Pierce will attempt to play through the pain of a sprained MCL in his left knee, but is uncertain how the team will compensate if it continues to be a hinderance to the team captain.

Celts' Pierce (MCL sprain) expected in Game 6
Celtics forward Paul Pierce (sprained MCL) is expected to play in Thursday night's Game 6 against the Hawks.

Rivers expects Pierce, Allen, Bradley on floor
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he expects all of his players to be available for Tuesday's Game 5 of an Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Atlanta Hawks.

Rivers to have Pierce, Allen, Bradley on floor
The Celtics' Paul Pierce (knee), Ray Allen (ankle) and Avery Bradley (shoulder) are a go for Tuesday's Game 5.

Pierce hurts knee, status for Game 5 uncertain
Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce suffered a left knee injury during shootaround on Sunday, which initially left his status unclear for Game 4 of an Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Atlanta Hawks.

Pierce helps Celtics top Hawks for 3-1 series lead (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) By the time Avery Bradley, who is recovering from a dislocated shoulder, sank a free throw to give the Boston Celtics a 37-point lead early in the third quarter, Paul Pierce was done for the night, riding a stationary bicycle under the stands and trying to keep his sore left knee from stiffening up.

Pierce helps Celtics top Hawks for 3-1 series lead (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 18 minutes and the Boston Celtics opened a 37-point third-quarter lead before coasting to a 101-79 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Celtics pummel Hawks to snare 3-1 advantage
Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 18 minutes and the Boston Celtics opened a 37-point third-quarter lead before coasting to a 101-79 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Paul Pierce Game 2 postgame


Pierce, Rondo-less Celtics rally, take Game 2
Paul Pierce battled through another tough shooting night to score 36 points and the Boston Celtics wiped out Atlanta's 11-point lead in the second half, stunning the Hawks 87-80 on Tuesday in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Pierce leads Rondo-less Celtics past Hawks, 87-80 (Yahoo! Sports)

ATLANTA (AP) Paul Pierce battled through another tough shooting night to score 36 points and the Boston Celtics wiped out Atlanta's 11-point lead in the second half even without Rajon Rondo, stunning the Hawks 87-80 on Tuesday in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Rondo tirade could be mean double-loss for Celtics (Yahoo! Sports)

ATLANTA (AP) Talk about a tough playoff opener for the Boston Celtics.

Celtics vs Hawks: 2 teams fighting for survival (Yahoo! Sports)

ATLANTA (AP) Four years ago, Boston and Atlanta were in different places when they met in the NBA playoffs.

Pierce practices, Allen doesn't for Celtics (Yahoo! Sports)
WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) Paul Pierce was back at practice for the Boston Celtics on Friday, a day after briefly leaving the regular-season finale with a sprained left big toe.

Pierce practices but Allen sits again for Celtics
Paul Pierce was back at practice for the Boston Celtics on Friday, a day after briefly leaving the regular-season finale with a sprained left big toe.

Pierce sprains toe in Celtics' win over Bucks
Paul Pierce scored all 12 of his points in the first half despite missing most of it with a sprained toe and Rajon Rondo had 15 assists as the Boston Celtics closed the regular season with an 87-74 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Pierce scores 12 as Celtics top Bucks 87-74 (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Paul Pierce scored all 12 of his points in the first half despite missing most of it with a sprained toe and Rajon Rondo had 15 assists as the Boston Celtics closed the regular season with an 87-74 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Pierce briefly leaves finale with sprained big toe (Yahoo! Sports)
BOSTON (AP) Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce has returned to the team's regular-season finale against the Milwaukee Bucks after going to the locker room with a sprained left big toe.

Celtics' Pierce leaves game with sprained toe
Celtics forward Paul Pierce knocked down his first two shots and then headed to the locker room less than three minutes into Tuesday night's finale against the Bucks with what the team said was a sprained left big toe.

Pavlovic rallies Celtics to 78-66 win over Heat (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Sasha Pavlovic scored 12 of his of his season-high 16 points in the fourth quarter, leading a group of Boston Celtics reserves in a 78-66 win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night as both teams rested their top players.

Pierce leads Celtics to 102-98 win over Magic (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Paul Pierce had 29 points and a career-high 14 assists and the Boston Celtics clinched at least a tie for the Atlantic Division title as they held off a late charge by the Orlando Magic for a 102-98 win Wednesday night.

Celtics clip Magic, clinch at least tie for division
Paul Pierce had 29 points and a career-high 14 assists and the Boston Celtics clinched at least a tie for the Atlantic Division title as they held off a late charge by the Orlando Magic for a 102-98 win Wednesday night.

Pierce has 14 assists as Celtics hang on
Paul Pierce had 29 points and a career-high 14 assists and the Boston Celtics clinched at least a tie for the Atlantic Division title as they held off a late charge by the Orlando Magic for a 102-98 win Wednesday night.

Anthony has triple-double, Knicks rout Celtics (Yahoo! Sports)

NEW YORK (AP) Carmelo Anthony had 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his second career triple-double, and the New York Knicks made 19 3-pointers to keep alive their Atlantic Division title hopes with a 118-110 victory over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.

Garnett, Pierce don't go to Charlotte
Boston Celtics stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce did not make the trip to Charlotte, N.C., and will not play in Sunday night's game against the Bobcats.

Celtics playing without any of Big 3 vs. Bobcats
Boston Celtics forwards Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett did not make the trip to Charlotte for Sunday's finale of a back-to-back-to-back against the Charlotte Bobcats, according to the team.

Garnett, Pierce don't make trip to Charlotte (Yahoo! Sports)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Boston Celtics stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce did not make the trip to Charlotte, N.C., and will not play in Sunday night's game against the Bobcats.

Celtics ride Rondo's triple-double to win in OT
Paul Pierce overcame a poor shooting game with a key jumper in overtime and Rajon Rondo finished with a triple-double with 20 assists, 10 points and 10 rebounds to lift the surging Boston Celtics to an 88-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

Rondo's 20 assists power Celtics to OT win
Paul Pierce overcame a miserable shooting game with a key jumper in overtime and Rajon Rondo finished with a triple-double with 20 assists, 10 points and 10 rebounds to lift the surging Boston Celtics to an 88-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

Rondo carries road-weary Celtics to win over Hawks (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Paul Pierce overcame a miserable shooting game with a key jumper in overtime and Rajon Rondo finished with a triple-double with 20 assists, 10 points and 10 rebounds to lift the surging Boston Celtics to an 88-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

Pierce, Garnett lead Celtics past LeBron, Heat
Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Kevin Garnett added 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Boston Celtics made their first eight shots of the fourth quarter to hold off the Miami Heat 115-107 on Tuesday night.

Celtics shoot past Heat, 115-107 (Yahoo! Sports)

MIAMI (AP) A week ago, the Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat with defense. This time, they did it with offense.

Garnett and Rondo carry Celtics over 76ers 103-79 (Yahoo! Sports)

Kevin Garnett scored 20 points and Rajon Rondo dished out double-digit assists for his 17th consecutive game, finishing with 15 to help lead the Boston Celtics to a 103-79 win over the struggling Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night. Brandon Bass and Avery Bradley each added 18 points, and Paul Pierce had 17 as the Celtics won for the seventh time in nine games, improving their Atlantic Division...

Celtics shake off Pacers to break 2-game skid
Paul Pierce scored 24 points to help the Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 86-72 on Saturday night.

Pierce leads Celtics past Pacers, 86-72 (Yahoo! Sports)

Paul Pierce scored 24 points to help the Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 86-72 on Saturday night. Ray Allen added 19 points, Kevin Garnett scored 15 and Rajon Rondo had 12 assists for the Celtics. Boston snapped a two-game skid and remained ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers at the top of the Atlantic Division.

Celtics beat Pacers, hold Atlantic lead
Paul Pierce scored 24 points to help the Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 86-72 on Saturday night.

Spurs hold on, beat Celtics 87-86 for 9th in a row (Yahoo! Sports)

Tim Duncan had 10 points and 16 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs won their ninth straight game, recovering to beat the Boston Celtics 87-86 on Wednesday night after blowing a 17-point, first-half lead. Duncan also stopped Paul Pierce on the final play, forcing him into a step-back jumper that bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

Rondo has triple-double as Celtics rout Heat 91-72 (Yahoo! Sports)

Rajon Rondo had a triple-double and the Boston Celtics handed Miami its biggest loss of the season, pulling away for a 91-72 win over the Heat on Sunday. The Celtics outscored the Heat 31-12 in the third quarter, turning a 49-44 halftime lead into an 80-56 advantage. They stayed ahead by at least 19 the rest of the way for their fifth straight win.

Garnett improves to 6-0 over Timberwolves (Yahoo! Sports)

The Old Wolf showed the Young Pup who still runs things in Minnesota. Kevin Garnett had 24 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in his return to Target Center and the Boston Celtics outmuscled Kevin Love and the Timberwolves in a 100-79 victory Friday night. Paul Pierce had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Rajon Rondo had 17 assists for the Celtics, who have won four in a row and six of their last...

Pierce's 36 lead Celtics into tie atop Atlantic
Paul Pierce scored a season-high 36 points and the Boston Celtics held on to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 102-95 Monday night to move into a first-place tie with Philadelphia 76ers in the Atlantic Division.

Pierce scores 36 as Celtics beat Bobcats 102-95 (Yahoo! Sports)

Paul Pierce scored a season-high 36 points and the Boston Celtics held on to beat the Charlotte Bobcats 102-95 Monday night to move into a first-place tie with Philadelphia 76ers in the Atlantic Division. Pierce shot 10 of 20 from the field, made 15 of 18 free throws and added 10 rebounds and four assists.

Bradley's career night helps Celtics rip Wizards
Avery Bradley scored a career-high 23 points, and Paul Pierce added 21 points and eight rebounds for the short-handed Boston Celtics in an 88-76 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night.

Bradley scores 23 as Celtics beat Wizards 88-76 (Yahoo! Sports)

Avery Bradley scored a career-high 23 points, and Paul Pierce added 21 points and eight rebounds for the short-handed Boston Celtics in an 88-76 win over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night. Boston was without guards Ray Allen (ankle) and Mickael Pietrus (head injury) but still had plenty to hold off the struggling Wizards.

Celtics end Bucks' 6-game winning streak, 100-91 (Yahoo! Sports)

Paul Pierce scored 25 points to help the Boston Celtics snap the Milwaukee Bucks' six-game winning streak, 100-91 on Thursday night. Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Mickael Pietrus scored 13 points for the Celtics, who were playing their seventh game on an eight-game road trip. With Thursday's win, the Celtics improved to 4-3 on the trip.

Celtics snap Bucks' six-game winning streak
Paul Pierce scored 25 points to help the Boston Celtics snap the Milwaukee Bucks' six-game winning streak, 100-91 on Thursday night.

Boston ends Milwaukee win streak at 6
Paul Pierce scored 25 points to help the Boston Celtics snap the Milwaukee Bucks' six-game winning streak, 100-91 on Thursday night.

Nuggets beat Celtics 98-91 (Yahoo! Sports)

Danilo Gallinari scored 20 points and Kenneth Faried added 18 points and a career-high 16 rebounds leading the Denver Nuggets past the Boston Celtics 98-91 Saturday night. It was the sixth double-double in the past 13 games for Faried. Arron Afflalo added 15 points for Denver, which has beaten the Celtics seven of the past eight times in Denver.

Garnett leads Celtics past Warriors 105-104 (Yahoo! Sports)

Kevin Garnett scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, including a tiebreaking jumper with 5.1 seconds left that led the Boston Celtics to a 105-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Brandon Bass added a season-high 22 points, Paul Pierce and Mickael Pietrus each chipped in 15 and Rajon Rondo dished out 14 assists for the Celtics, who have won their last two trips...

Clippers have lost four of five
Paul Pierce scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Kevin Garnett added 21 points and eight rebounds, and the Boston Celtics made an impressive late rally for a 94-85 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

Celtics slow road woes with win over Clippers (Yahoo! Sports)

Before halftime, Boston and the Clippers already had combined for five technical fouls, plenty of rough contact, a few icy staredowns and a running dialogue of trash talk. The Celtics feel right at home in such ugly situations, and they rallied for a win that slowed their road woes. Paul Pierce scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Kevin Garnett added 21 points and eight rebounds, and...

Pierce, Celtics use late rally to put away Clips
Paul Pierce scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Kevin Garnett added 21 points and eight rebounds, and the Boston Celtics made an impressive late rally for a 94-85 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

Lakers rally past Celtics in another thriller (Yahoo! Sports)

Kobe Bryant scored 10 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and hit a go-ahead jumper with 41.7 seconds to play, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 97-94 victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Andrew Bynum had 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who rallied from a five-point deficit in the final 2 1/2 minutes.

Pierce and Allen lead way in Celtics' rout (Yahoo! Sports)

The Boston Celtics had a little fun after this game. In fact, they probably could have been joking around earlier in the game, too. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each scored 22 points and the Celtics rebounded from a lopsided loss and handed one to Portland on Friday night, beating the Trail Blazers 104-86.

Pierce, Allen spark Celtics' rout of Blazers
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each scored 22 points and the Boston Celtics rebounded from a lopsided loss and handed one to Portland Friday night, beating the Trail Blazers 104-86.

Garnett, Celtics top Rockets to win 5th straight
Kevin Garnett grabbed 13 rebounds to pass Shaquille O'Neal and move into 12th on the NBA's career list, and Paul Pierce scored seven of his 30 points in overtime on Tuesday night to lead the Boston Celtics to a 97-92 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Celtics awaken in time to beat Rockets 97-92 in OT (Yahoo! Sports)

Kevin Garnett grabbed 13 rebounds to pass Shaquille O'Neal and move into 12th on the NBA's career list, and Paul Pierce scored seven of his 30 points in overtime on Tuesday night to lead the Boston Celtics to a 97-92 victory over the Houston Rockets. Boston has won five straight since the All-Star break, including two in a row in overtime.

Celtics awaken in time to beat Rockets 97-92 in OT (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Kevin Garnett grabbed 13 rebounds to pass Shaquille O'Neal and move into 12th on the NBA's career list, and Paul Pierce scored seven of his 30 points in overtime on Tuesday night to lead the Boston Celtics to a 97-92 victory over the Houston Rockets.

Report: NBA fines Kobe, Pierce, Rondo
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and the Celtics' Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce have all been fined by the NBA for missing charity appearances during the All-Star weekend in Orlando, Fla.

Lin stalls back in Boston, Celtics beat NY 115-111 (Yahoo! Sports)

Rajon Rondo had his second triple-double in three games, spoiling Harvard grad Jeremy Lin's return to Boston on Sunday and leading the Boston Celtics to a 115-111 overtime victory over the New York Knicks. Rondo had 18 points, 20 assists and a career-high 17 rebounds, and Paul Pierce scored 34 -- including a 3-pointer with 4.9 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

Celtics top Nets for 3rd straight, move above .500 (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Paul Pierce had 27 points and eight assists, and the Boston Celtics got back above .500 with their third straight win, beating the New Jersey Nets 107-94 on Friday night.

Celtics top Nets for 3rd straight, move above .500 (Yahoo! Sports)

Paul Pierce had 27 points and eight assists, and the Boston Celtics got back above .500 with their third straight win, beating the New Jersey Nets 107-94 on Friday night. Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double and third in four games. Rajon Rondo joined him with a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 13 assists for Boston (18-17).

Celtics win third straight, move over .500 mark
Paul Pierce had 27 points and eight assists, and the Boston Celtics got back above .500 with their third straight win, beating the New Jersey Nets 107-94 on Friday night.

Rondo's triple-double leads Celtics past Bucks (Yahoo! Sports)

BOSTON (AP) Rajon Rondo had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to record his third triple-double of the season and lead the Boston Celtics to a 102-96 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Lakers hold on, top Celtics 88-87 in OT (AP)

Paul Pierce's shot rimmed out in the final seconds of overtime, and Pau Gasol knew the game wasn't over yet. The ball bounced to Ray Allen, who gave it a two-handed push back toward the basket. "That shot that Ray Allen took was good, in my opinion," Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown said.

Nowitzki, Pierce headline NBA All-Star reserves
Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce overcame slow starts to return to the All-Star game, but the lengthy runs of Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are over.

Dirk, Pierce among All-Star reserves
Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce overcame slow starts to return to the All-Star game, but the lengthy runs of Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan are over.

Pierce Celts' No. 2 scorer, passes Bird (AP)

Paul Pierce passed Larry Bird for No. 2 on the Celtics' career scoring list, finishing with 15 points as Boston increased its winning streak to five straight with a 94-84 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night. Pierce needed nine points to tie Bird's total of 21,791. He had seven points at halftime, then hit a 3-pointer with 10:23 left in the third quarter to pass Bird.

Pierce moves past Bird as Celtics' No. 2 scorer
Paul Pierce passed Larry Bird as the second-leading scorer in Celtics history in Tuesday's game against the Bobcats.

Pierce passes Bird to power Celtics
Paul Pierce passed Larry Bird for No. 2 on the Celtics' career scoring list, finishing with 15 points as Boston increased its winning streak to five straight with a 94-84 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.

Pierce passes Bird in Celtics scoring
Paul Pierce has passed Larry Bird for second place on the Boston Celtics' career scoring list.

Garnett helps Celts roll past Grizzlies (AP)

Kevin Garnett matched his season-high with 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to their fourth straight win, 98-80 over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. Paul Pierce scored 21 points, moving nine behind Hall of Famer Larry Bird for second place on the club's all-time list, and Ray Allen added 12.

Pierce's 30 help Celtics rally by Knicks (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 30 points and Ray Allen had nine of his 14 in the final quarter to lift the Boston Celtics to a 91-89 win over the struggling New York Knicks on Friday night. Kevin Garnett finished with 15 points and eight boards for the Celtics, who won for the seventh time in eight games. Carmelo Anthony scored 26, Tyson Chandler had 20 with 11 rebounds and Amare Stoudemire had 16 with 11...

Pierce, Allen carry Celts past struggling Knicks
Paul Pierce scored 30 points and Ray Allen had nine of his 14 in the final quarter to lift the Boston Celtics to a 91-89 win over the struggling New York Knicks on Friday night.

Celtics rout Raptors, climb above .500 mark
Paul Pierce had 17 points and eight assists and the Boston Celtics crept above .500 for the second time this season with a 100-64 rout of the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.

Celtics rout Raptors, move above .500 (AP)

Paul Pierce had 17 points and eight assists and the Boston Celtics crept above .500 for the first time this season with a 100-64 rout of the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Ray Allen and Brandon Bass added 12 points apiece and Avery Bradley scored 11 for the Celtics, who never let go of the lead once Allen's layup 16 seconds into the game put Boston up 2-0.

Celtics barely avenge loss to Cavaliers (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 20 points, Ray Allen had 12 in the third quarter and the Boston Celtics avenged a disappointing loss to Cleveland two days earlier by barely holding off the Cavaliers 93-90 on Tuesday night. The Celtics, who blew an 11-point lead at home Sunday in the final four minutes and lost by one, led by 22 late in the third quarter.

Pierce, Allen help Celtics avenge loss to Cavs
Paul Pierce scored 20 points, Ray Allen had 12 in the third quarter and the Celtics avenged a disappointing loss to Cleveland two days ago by barely holding off the Cavaliers 93-90 on Tuesday night.



Celtics top Cavs to avenge loss
Paul Pierce scored 20 points, Ray Allen had 12 in the third quarter and the Boston Celtics avenged a disappointing loss to Cleveland two days ago by barely holding off the Cavaliers 93-90 on Tuesday night.

Short-handed Celtics pull away to beat Pacers
Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter, hitting a 3-pointer and two more baskets as the Celtics ran off 11 consecutive points to pull away and beat the Indiana Pacers 94-87 Friday night.

Pierce scores 17 in 3rd to rally Celtics (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter, hitting a 3-pointer and two more baskets as the Celtics ran off 11 consecutive points to pull away and beat the Indiana Pacers 94-87 Friday night. Pierce added 10 rebounds and eight assists to help Boston win its fourth consecutive game despite playing without starters Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal.

Pierce's 17-point third leads Celtics
Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter, hitting a three-pointer and two more baskets as the Celtics ran off 11 consecutive points to pull away and beat the Indiana Pacers 94-87 Friday night.

Celtics rally from 27 down to stun Magic (AP)

Paul Pierce had 24 points and 10 assists, and E'Twaun Moore added 16 points to help the Boston Celtics erase a 27-point deficit and beat the Orlando Magic for the second time this week, 91-83 on Thursday night. Pierce and Moore had 10 points each in the fourth quarter. Dwight Howard led the Magic with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

Celtics erase 27-point deficit to shock Magic
Paul Pierce had 24 points and 10 assists, and E'Twaun Moore added 16 points to help the Boston Celtics erase a 27-point deficit and beat the Orlando Magic for the second time this week, 91-83 on Thursday night.

Celtics rally from 27 down at Magic
Paul Pierce had 24 points and 10 assists, and E'Twaun Moore added 16 points to help the Boston Celtics erase a 27-point deficit and beat the Orlando Magic for the second time this week, 91-83 on Thursday night.

Magic fall 87-56 to depleted Celtics (AP)

Paul Pierce and former Magic forward Brandon Bass each scored 19 points to carry the injury-riddled Boston Celtics to an 87-56 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. The Magic set franchise lows for points and field goals (16). Boston was minus starters Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and three bench players, drastically reducing its roster.

Celtics hold Magic to franchise low for points
Paul Pierce and former Magic forward Brandon Bass each scored 19 points to carry the injury-riddled Boston Celtics to an 87-56 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night.

Injured-plagued Celtics blow out Magic
Paul Pierce and former Magic forward Brandon Bass each scored 19 points to carry the injury-riddled Boston Celtics to an 87-56 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night.

Pierce carries Celts with 34, Allen hurt (AP)

Paul Pierce had season highs with 34 points and 10 assists and tied his season-best mark with eight rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 100-94 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. The Celtics won for the second time in three games despite playing most of the game without a pair of starting guards.

Minus Rondo, Celtics fall to Suns 79-71 (AP)

Marcin Gortat scored 24 points with 12 rebounds and Steve Nash had 11 points and nine assists on Friday night to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 79-71 victory over the Boston Celtics. The Suns won their second straight after a five-game losing streak. Playing without point guard Rajon Rondo, the team's most consistent starter this year, the Celtics had their lowest-scoring game of the season.

Pacers hand Celtics fourth straight loss (AP)

Danny Granger scored 21 points to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 97-83 victory over Boston on Saturday night, the Celtics' fourth straight loss. Paul George and Darren Collison each scored 17 points and Roy Hibbert added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers (9-3), who won their third straight.

Pacers get first win in Boston since '07 (AP)

Danny Granger had 15 points and Roy Hibbert scored 11 with 12 rebounds Friday night to lead the Indiana Pacers to an 87-74 victory over the Boston Celtics. It was Indiana's first win in Boston since 2007. Ray Allen returned after missing one game with an illness and scored 23 points for the Celtics, who for the first time this season lost a game with their starting lineup intact.

Celtics cruise past short-handed Nets (AP)

Boston coach Doc Rivers didn't hind the fact that his team should beat an injury-riddled New Jersey team. Paul Pierce listened and nearly took care of it himself. Pierce scored 9 of his 24 points during a game-breaking third-quarter run and Avery Bradley hit his first career 3-pointer, helping the Celtics beat the Nets 89-70 Wednesday night.

Celtics dump depleted Nets for 4th straight win
Paul Pierce scored 9 of his 24 points during a game-breaking third-quarter run and Avery Bradley hit his first career 3-pointer, helping the Boston Celtics beat the injury-depleted New Jersey Nets 89-70 Wednesday night.

Allen leads Celtics past winless Wizards (AP)
Ray Allen scored 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and the Boston Celtics won for the second straight night over Washington, beating the winless Wizards 100-92 on Monday night. Paul Pierce had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics (3-3), who pulled to .500 after losing their first three games of the season.

Tweet from injured Pierce: 'very very close'
Injured Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce tweeted that he's "very very close" to playing for the first time this season.

Pierce debuts at Celts' home opener vs. Pistons
Injured Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce tweeted that he's "very very close" to playing for the first time this season, and Doc Rivers said that he would be in the starting lineup versus Detroit.

C's Pierce improving, but doubtful vs. Heat
Paul Pierce (sore heel) is doubtful for Tuesday night's game against the Heat, says Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

Celts without captain Pierce until at least Friday
The Celtics will be without Paul Pierce until at least Friday.

Celtics without captain Pierce for 2 more games
The Celtics will be without Paul Pierce for two more games.

Celtics' Pierce to miss opener against Knicks
Paul Pierce, who missed much of training camp and both of the Boston Celtics' preseason games with a bruised right heel, won't play in Sunday's season opener against the New York Knicks.

Injured Pierce to miss opener vs. Knicks (AP)

Boston forward Paul Pierce missed the NBA season opener at New York because of a bruised right heel, and the Celtics hope he can return Tuesday when they visit Miami. Sasha Pavlovic started at forward for the Celtics on Sunday. Coach Doc Rivers says Pierce did little during a light practice Saturday, making it an easy decision to sideline the All-Star.

Celtics' Pierce misses opener against Knicks
Paul Pierce, who missed much of training camp and both of the Boston Celtics' preseason games with a bruised right heel, did not play in Sunday's season opener against the New York Knicks.

Pierce may miss opener against Knicks
Celtics guard Paul Pierce didn't practice because of a nagging heel injury and might not play in Boston's season opener against the Knicks in New York on Christmas Day.

Rivers calls Pierce 'doubtful' for C's opener
Celtics coach Doc Rivers called Paul Pierce "doubtful" for the Christmas Day opener.

Celts' Pierce (heel) uncertain for season opener
Paul Pierce will miss the Celtics' preseason finale and is uncerain for the season opener.

Garnett calls out Stern for rushed training camp
Boston Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce all voiced great displeasure Tuesday with a cram-session training camp cobbled together in the aftermath of the lockout.

Magic, Pierce in, Howard out of Obama Classic
Add Hall-of-Famer Magic Johnson, former NBA All-Star Steve Smith and current Boston Celtics standout Paul Pierce to the list of players that have agreed to play in the "Obama Classic Basketball Game." Take Dwight Howard off that same list.

Pierce, Perk talk labor at Rondo's charity game
Celtics captain Paul Pierce isn't ready to take the latest deal from the NBA owners to end the lockout and sated his desire to play basketball in the Boston Charity Classic on Saturday night.

Rondo leads group at charity game (AP)
Celtics guard Rajon Rondo led a group of NBA players in the Boston Charity Classic at Harvard on Saturday night in a game that pitted Rondo's green team against a white team led by Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch. Rondo, Celtics teammate Paul Pierce, and former teammates Kendrick Perkins and Leon Powe were among the 11 NBA players in the game that will benefit three local charities.

Top stars to play in Puerto Rico event (AP)
Organizers say Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade are expected to headline an exhibition basketball game in Puerto Rico on Sunday. According to a press release, the World All-Star Classic also will feature Amare Stoudemire, Blake Griffin, Carlos Boozer, Chris Kaman, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Tyson Chandler.

Celtics' Pierce appears in Kansas alumni game
With the Jayhawks' football team having a bye this weekend, basketball took center stage at Kansas on Saturday thanks to the NBA lockout.

Paul Pierce wears championship ring while playing WSOP
Paul Pierce wears championship ring while playing WSOP

Celtics ponder future after ouster (AP)

The Boston Celtics have all their key players signed for next season, and coach Doc Rivers seems ready to return as well. So why is everyone writing the Big Three's obituary? Because Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are all in their mid-30s, and they were showing their age in their loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Heat score last 16 to eliminate Celtics (AP)

Behind Boston much of the season. Behind Boston much of the game. No more. Not only has the Miami Heat caught the Celtics -- they have officially gone past them, and into the Eastern Conference finals. Vanquishing the team they couldn't beat for so long with a 16-0 run to end the game, Dwyane Wade scored 34 points, LeBron James put the Heat up for good with a 3-pointer with 2:10 left on the way...

Pierce, Rondo, Allen banged up in Celtics' loss
Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen all left Game 2 at one point with injuries, but none are considered serious.

Ailing Celtics get needed break vs. Heat (AP)

Coach Doc Rivers had very specific instructions for the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. Go golfing. Avoid hanging out with each other. Most importantly, try to stay away from the game of basketball. Think of it as a Doc's prescription for mental health. Physical health may be of greater concern for the Celtics, who are limping into big trouble against the Miami Heat.

Pierce will not be suspended for Game 2
Paul Pierce will not be suspended for Game 2.

NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce 'surprised' by ejection; no further penalty
Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce expressed remorse Monday for letting his teammates down by getting ejected in the fourth quarter of Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Miami Heat in an Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Wade's 38 help Heat top Celts in Game 1 (AP)

Dwyane Wade knew his regular-season numbers against Boston were lacking. He also knew that wouldn't matter in the playoffs. And Game 1 -- which seemed more like Round 1 -- of what's already an emotionally charged series went to Wade and the Miami Heat. Wade scored 38 points on 14 of 21 shooting, James Jones set a Miami postseason record with 25 points off the bench, and the Heat beat the...

Celtics F Pierce ejected in 4th quarter (AP)
Celtics forward Paul Pierce has been ejected from Game 1 of Boston's Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Miami Heat after picking up two technical fouls on separate plays in the fourth quarter. Pierce got the second of those with 7 minutes remaining, after tangling with Miami guard Dwyane Wade.

Rondo (triple-double), Celts rout Knicks, up 3-0
Paul Pierce scored 38 points, Ray Allen added 32, and Rajon Rondo had a Celtics' playoff-record 20 assists as Boston beat the New York Knicks 113-96 on Friday night to take a 3-0 in their first-round playoff series.

Celtics cruise by Knicks, take 3-0 lead (AP)

No fantastic finish needed for the Boston Celtics this time. They simply spoiled Madison Square Garden's postseason homecoming party right from the start. Paul Pierce scored 38 points, Ray Allen added 32, and Rajon Rondo had a Celtics' playoff-record 20 assists as Boston beat the New York Knicks 113-96 on Friday night to take a 3-0 in their first-round playoff series.

Allen's late 3 gets Celtics past Knicks (AP)

Ray Allen hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, Paul Pierce shut down Carmelo Anthony and the Boston Celtics rallied to beat the New York Knicks 87-85 in their playoff opener on Sunday night. New York led 85-84 before Anthony was called for an offensive foul for pushing Pierce with 21 seconds remaining.

Celtics rest Garnett, Allen, Rondo (AP)
A day after a beatdown by the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers chose rest over seeding when he sat Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo for Monday night's game against the Washington Wizards. Rivers also said Paul Pierce probably wouldn't play, and that Jermaine O'Neal would see limited minutes.

Celtics beat Pistons but lose Shaq again (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 23 points and the Boston Celtics got a rare, brief and potentially final glimpse of Shaquille O'Neal on Sunday night in a 101-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Paul Pierce scored 22 points and Rajon Rondo added 14 assists for the Celtics. Will Bynum scored 20 points, Tayshaun Prince had 16 and Charlie Villanueva 15 for the Pistons.

Celts send Spurs to fifth straight loss (AP)

Rajon Rondo had 22 points and 14 assists, Paul Pierce scored 21 and the Boston Celtics stopped slipping further from first in the Eastern Conference, beating the slumping San Antonio Spurs 107-97 on Thursday night. Kevin Garnett added 20 points and the Celtics, winning for just the second time in five games, moved within two games of Chicago for the No.

Rondo leads Celtics by Spurs in Duncan's return
Rajon Rondo had 22 points and 14 assists, Paul Pierce scored 21 and the Boston Celtics stopped slipping further from first in the Eastern Conference, beating the slumping San Antonio Spurs 107-97 on Thursday night.

Rondo leads Celtics with double-double
Rajon Rondo had 22 points and 14 assists, Paul Pierce scored 21 and the Boston Celtics stopped slipping further from first in the Eastern Conference, beating the slumping San Antonio Spurs 107-97 on Thursday night.

Celtics blow 25-point lead but win (AP)

Paul Pierce had 23 points and seven rebounds, and the Boston Celtics nearly gave away another huge lead in an 85-82 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. Kevin Garnett had 13 points, 13 rebounds and thousands of fans who turned out to cheer for the former face of the Timberwolves franchise.

Grizzlies beat Celtics 90-87 in Boston (AP)

Marc Gasol scored 11 points with 11 rebounds and Zach Randolph had 13 and eight to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 90-87 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Gasol stole the ball from Ray Allen and then hit a layup with just over a minute left to put Memphis ahead 88-85. After Gasol missed a pair of free throws with 4.6 seconds left and a chance to go up by five, Paul Pierce missed...

Celtics beat Knicks in physical game (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Rajon Rondo added 13 points and 12 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics scored the final 10 points for a spirited 96-86 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night. With blood flowing and bodies flying, the Celtics showed the Knicks they will be tough to beat next month if this was in fact a preview of a first-round playoff series.

Allen helps Celtics rally past Hornets (AP)

Ray Allen scored 20 points, including the clinching free throws with 2.8 seconds left, and the Boston Celtics rallied to beat the New Orleans Hornets 89-85 on Saturday night. Allen also had a key offensive rebound that led to Glen Davis' two foul shots that made it 87-83 with 15.2 seconds left. Davis also had 20 points.

Celtics gain share of lead in East (AP)

Jeff Green scored 13 of his 19 points in the second quarter, and the Boston Celtics coasted to a 92-80 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night and moved back into a first-place tie in the Eastern Conference. The victory left the Celtics and Chicago Bulls (48-18) with the same record in the race for home-court advantage through the conference finals.

Celtics allow franchise-low 56 points (AP)

Ray Allen scored 17 points in just three quarters and the Boston Celtics set a franchise record for fewest points allowed in the shot clock era, routing the Milwaukee Bucks 87-56 on Sunday. It was the lowest score against the Celtics since they beat the Milwaukee Hawks 62-57 at Providence, R.I., on Feb.

Sixers get past East-leading Celtics (AP)

Spencer Hawes had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Elton Brand scored 14 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Boston Celtics 89-86 on Friday night. The Sixers led by 10 points and controlled the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics for most of the fourth quarter. The Celtics missed eight straight baskets over a 6-minute span late in the fourth to lose only their eighth conference game of the season.

Short-handed Celtics top Bucks for 5th straight
Paul Pierce scored 23 points and Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds, lifting the Boston Celtics over the Milwaukee Bucks, 89-83 on Sunday night for their fifth straight win.

Short-handed Celtics top Bucks for 5th straight
Paul Pierce scored 23 points and Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds, lifting the Boston Celtics over the Milwaukee Bucks, 89-83 on Sunday night for their fifth straight win.

Celtics top Bucks for fifth straight win (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 23 points and Kevin Garnett added 14 points and 11 rebounds, lifting the Boston Celtics over the Milwaukee Bucks, 89-83 on Sunday night for their fifth straight win. The Celtics (46-15) held Milwaukee without a field goal in the final 3 1/2 minutes, proving they have no problem closing out games even with just nine players dressed.

Allen helps Celts overcome 41 by Ellis (AP)

Ray Allen scored 27 points and pulled down a crucial offensive rebound with 12 seconds remaining to help the Boston Celtics hold off Monta Ellis and the Golden State Warriors 107-103 on Friday night. Paul Pierce also scored 27 for the Celtics, who let an 18-point lead slip to just one late in the fourth quarter and struggled to put away the pesky Warriors.

Celtics go up 29, hold off Suns 115-103 (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 28 points with 11 rebounds, Paul Pierce had 16 and 13 and Rajon Rondo scored 16 with 15 assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 115-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. The Celtics led by 29 in the second half before Phoenix scored the last nine points in the third quarter and the first nine of the fourth.

KG, Rondo, Pierce lead Celtics' rout of Suns
Kevin Garnett scored 28 points with 11 rebounds, Paul Pierce had 16 and 13 and Rajon Rondo scored 16 with 15 assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 115-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

Celtics hold on to beat Jazz 107-102 (AP)

Ray Allen scored 25 points and Paul Pierce added 21, including a late 3-pointer and pair of free throws, to help the Boston Celtics hold on for a 107-102 victory Monday night over the Utah Jazz. The loss spoiled the home debut of new Jazz players Devin Harris and Derrick Favors, who were acquired last week in the trade that sent for All-Star Deron Williams to New Jersey.

Allen helps Celtics hold on vs. Jazz
Ray Allen scored 25 points and Paul Pierce added 21, including a late 3-pointer and pair of free throws, to help the Boston Celtics hold on for a 107-102 victory Monday night over the Utah Jazz.

Celtics ruin home debut of Jazz's Harris, Favors
Ray Allen scored 25 points and Paul Pierce added 21, including a late 3-pointer and pair of free throws, to help the Boston Celtics hold on for a 107-102 victory Monday night over the Jazz.



Celtics rally in 2nd half, top Clippers (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 24 points, Ray Allen added 22, and the Boston Celtics rallied in the second half for their fourth victory in five games, 99-92 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who began the process of integrating newcomers Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic into their lineup after acquiring them...

Celtics rally from deficit to top Clippers
Paul Pierce scored 24 points, Ray Allen added 22, and the Boston Celtics rallied in the second half for their fourth victory in five games, 99-92 over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.

Celtics end 6-game skid at Golden State (AP)

So much for an All-Star hangover. Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo each came close to a triple-double, and the Boston Celtics picked up right where they left off before the break with an easy 115-93 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. "You lose the first game, you kind of lose your momentum and then you're battling uphill," said Celtics forward Paul Pierce, who added...

Pierce booed at hometown festivities (AP)
Paul Pierce is glad to be back home for the All-Star game, even though the Boston Celtics star is hearing some boos. "To come back here for a second time and play in an All-Star game really means a lot -- just to save money on plane tickets and hotels for my mom and my aunts," he said, laughing.

Miami's Jones wins 3-point shootout
Miami's James Jones held off Boston teammates Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to win his first 3-point shootout at All-Star Saturday.

Pierce, Allen ready for 3-point shootout (AP)
Ray Allen will have plenty of company at this year's NBA All-Star weekend. Allen and Boston teammate Paul Pierce will compete in the 3-point shootout on Saturday, and then they'll join fellow Celtics Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo on the bench for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. Allen refused to handicap the shootout, but Pierce smiled and nodded confidently when asked for a prediction.

Paul Pierce, Ray Allen set for competitive 3-point contest
Celtics' Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are prepared for the 3-point contest during All-Star Weekend.

Pierce bounces back, lifts Celts with 31 (AP)

Paul Pierce bounced back from one of the worst games of his career to score 31 points Wednesday night and lead the Boston Celtics to a 94-80 victory over the New Jersey Nets. With the win, the Celtics head into the All-Star break with the best record in the Eastern Conference. Pierce, who was 0 for 10 and had one point in Sunday's victory over the Miami Heat, scored seven points during a 16-0...

Boston Celtics' Delonte West sits vs. New Jersey Nets; Paul Pierce, Nate Robinson in
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers said reserve guard Delonte West would sit out Wednesday's pre-All-Star finale against the New Jersey Nets and instead target the start of a four-game west coast road trip for his return from a broken wrist.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce just banged up, set to play Wednesday
Tests show Paul Pierce has no major injuries but he won't practice the next few days.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce (foot) to undergo MRI on Monday
Paul Pierce says he will have an MRI on his left foot Monday after missing all 10 of his shots in Boston's 85-82 win over Miami on Sunday.

Celtics' Pierce to have MRI on foot (AP)
Paul Pierce plans to have an MRI on his left foot Monday after the second worst shooting game of his career. Pierce missed all 10 of his shots and scored one point in the Boston Celtics' 85-82 win over the Miami Heat on Sunday. "I'm just battling a couple of minor injuries to my hand and my foot," he said.

Rondo triple-double gets Celtics by Heat (AP)

Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with 11 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, and the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat 85-82 on Sunday to clinch the season series against their top pursuer. LeBron James scored 22 points for Miami, which had won eight in a row. But he missed the first of two free throws with 13 seconds left and the Heat trailing by two points.

Despite illness, Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce playing vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said captain Paul Pierce is feeling better after sitting out Wednesday's practice due to illness, but wasn't sure what he would get out of him Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sick Paul Pierce misses practice for banged-up Boston Celtics
Paul Pierce sat out practice on Wednesday with illness for the beat-up Celtics.

Pierce, Allen, Durant in 3-point contest
Paul Pierce will defend his 3-point shootout title against a field that includes fellow Boston Celtics All-Star Ray Allen and NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City.

Ray Allen joins teammate, champ Paul Pierce in 3 contest
Ray Allen joins fellow Celtic and defending champ Paul Pierce in the 3-point contest.

Pierce, Allen, Durant in 3-point contest (AP)
Paul Pierce will defend his 3-point shootout title against a field that includes fellow Boston Celtics All-Star Ray Allen and NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City. Allen is on the verge of becoming the career leader in 3-pointers made. He won the title 10 years ago while playing for Milwaukee.

Kidd's late 3 helps Mavs win in Boston (AP)

Jason Kidd made a 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, putting the Dallas Mavericks ahead as they beat the Boston Celtics 101-97 on Friday night for their seventh straight win. The Celtics led 97-91, but the Mavericks scored the final 10 points. After Kevin Garnett missed an 18-foot jumper with 15 seconds to go, the Mavericks tried to go inside, but Dirk Nowitzki had trouble handling the ball and threw...

Celtics put 4 reserves on All-Star team (AP)
Blake Griffin is going to his first All-Star game, and Kevin Garnett matched an NBA record Thursday with his 14th straight selection as one of a record-tying four Boston Celtics headed for the midseason event. Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will accompany Garnett, who equaled Jerry West, Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone for the most consecutive selections.

Celtics overcome slow start, top Kings (AP)

Even Ray Allen was fed up. The Celtics were already spending an extra night in Sacramento because of a winter storm back East, and Allen wasn't about to spend it soaking up a loss to one of the NBA's worst teams. On a team with the boisterous Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, the usually reserved shooting guard gathered everybody in the locker room at the half and delivered a speech that left...

Pierce fuels Celtics' win over Lakers
Paul Pierce scored 32 points, Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 13 rebounds with a large bandage over a cut on his head, and the Boston Celtics won their NBA finals rematch with the Lakers on Sunday, overcoming Kobe Bryant's 41 points in a 109-96 victory.

Celtics overcome Kobe's 41 in Finals rematch
Paul Pierce scored 32 points, Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 13 rebounds with a large bandage over a cut on his head, and the Boston Celtics won their NBA finals rematch with the Lakers on Sunday, overcoming Kobe Bryant's 41 points in a 109-96 victory.

Celts overcome 41 by Kobe to beat Lakers (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 32 points, Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 13 rebounds with a large bandage over a cut on his head, and the Boston Celtics won their NBA finals rematch with the Lakers on Sunday, overcoming Kobe Bryant's 41 points in a 109-96 victory. Ray Allen scored 21 points for the Celtics in the longtime rivals' first meeting since Los Angeles rallied from a late 13-point deficit...

Suns roll by Celtics, Garnett ejected (AP)

Marcin Gortat had career highs of 19 points and 17 rebounds, Vince Carter added 17 points and the Phoenix Suns ran over the weary Boston Celtics 88-71 Friday night in a game that turned ugly late. Phoenix was dominant inside against Boston's front line to build an 18-point lead in the first half and never let up, snapping a three-game losing streak.

Celtics open road trip with win over Blazers
Ray Allen scored 18 points, Paul Pierce added 17 and the Boston Celtics opened their West Coast road swing with an 88-78 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.

Allen leads Celtics past Blazers
Ray Allen scored 18 points, Paul Pierce added 17 and the Boston Celtics opened their West Coast road swing with an 88-78 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.

Paul Pierce questionable for Friday's Boston Celtics game with leg bruise
Paul Pierce departed Thursday's game with a leg bruise and is questionable for Friday.

Surging Celtics top Blazers to open trip (AP)

The Boston Celtics got their West Coast trip started with authority. Ray Allen scored 18 points, Paul Pierce added 17 and Boston beat the Portland Trail Blazers 88-78 Thursday night. "Once we took the lead and built it, we knew it was over," Kevin Garnett said. Rajon Rondo had 11 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Celtics, winners of seven of their last eight.

Perkins, Celtics extend Cavs' skid to 18 (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 24 and Kendrick Perkins returned for the first time since injuring his knee in the NBA finals to help the Boston Celtics beat Cleveland 112-95 on Tuesday night and send the Cavaliers to their 18th consecutive loss. Perkins, who had offseason surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament, had seven points and six rebounds in 16 minutes.

Perkins returns as Celtics pound Cavs
Paul Pierce scored 24 and Kendrick Perkins returned for the first time since injuring his knee in the NBA finals to help the Boston Celtics beat Cleveland 112-95 on Tuesday night and send the Cavaliers to their 18th consecutive loss.

Wizards stun Celtics on Wall's late 3 (AP)

John Wall banked in a 3-pointer with the shot clock running down in the game's final minute, and the Washington Wizards rallied from a 16-point, first-quarter deficit to upset the Boston Celtics 85-83 Saturday night. Wall's fast-break layup with 2:35 to play gave the Wizards their first lead, and after the Celtics tied it, Wall made his team's first and only 3-pointer of the game to...

KG, Pierce, Rondo key Celtics' laugher vs. Jazz
Kevin Garnett scored 21 points, Paul Pierce added 20 and Rajon Rondo had 12 assists on Friday night to lead the Boston Celtics to their fifth straight win, a 110-86 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Celtics win fifth straight, roll by Jazz (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 21 points, Paul Pierce added 20 and Rajon Rondo had 12 assists on Friday night to lead the Boston Celtics to their fifth straight win, a 110-86 victory over the Utah Jazz. Deron Williams had a season-low five points for the Jazz, who have lost three in a row. Earl Watson scored 12 for Utah, while Paul Millsap, Gordon Hayward and Andrei Kirilenko had 11 apiece.

Allen keys Celtics' fourth straight win (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 22 points, and Ray Allen hit a jumper with 25 seconds left to give the Boston Celtics their first lead of the second half and help them beat the Detroit Pistons 86-82 on Wednesday night. It was the fourth straight victory for the Celtics. The Pistons had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Celtics cruise, Kings' road skid hits 12 (AP)

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen delivered the message before many of the Boston fans had shaken the snow off their boots and settled into their seats. The two healthy remnants of the New Big Three spurred the Celtics to an 8-0 lead in the first 76 seconds, and Pierce went on to score 15 points in the first quarter as Boston coasted to a 119-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Pierce, Rondo shine as Celtics overpower Kings
Paul Pierce scored 25 points and Rajon Rondo had 10 points and 13 assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 119-95 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

Pierce, Celtics rally past Love, Wolves
Paul Pierce was content to set up his teammates while passing up his own shots. At halftime, Celtics coach Doc Rivers took him aside to remind him of his role on the team.

Celtics win, overcome Love's 24 rebounds (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 23 points to help the Boston Celtics overcome a double-digit deficit -- and another double-digit rebounding performance by Kevin Love -- and beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 96-93 on Monday night. Love had 24 rebounds and 12 points, but he airballed a jumper with just over a minute left and Minnesota trailing by one.

Pierce-led Celtics rally back to defeat Wolves
Paul Pierce scored 23 points Monday night to help the Celtics overcome a double-digit deficit and beat the Timberwolves 96-93.



Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo ready to go for Boston Celtics against Minnesota Timberwolves
Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo (ankle sprains) were in the Celtics' lineup Monday night.

Pierce drops 30 as Celtics win in Rondo's return
Paul Pierce scored 30 points, Ray Allen had 23 and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 93-79 on Sunday night.

Rondo returns, Celtics beat Raptors (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 30 points, Ray Allen had 23 and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 93-79 on Sunday night. Glenn Davis added 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as Boston won for the 10th time in 11 meetings with Toronto. Pierce was disappointed with himself after scoring just 12 points and making a season-high six turnovers in Friday's 83-81 loss to New Orleans.

Rondo quiet as Celtics top Raptors
Paul Pierce scored 30 points, Ray Allen had 23 and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 93-79 on Sunday night.

Celtics F Pierce fined $15,000 by NBA (AP)
The NBA has fined Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce for throwing an object into the stands. NBA Executive Vice President Stu Jackson announced the $15,000 penalty on Saturday. The league says the incident occurred in the first quarter of Boston's 95-83 victory at the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday.

NBA fines Celtics' F Paul Pierce
The NBA has fined Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce for throwing an object into the stands.

Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce fined $15,000 by league
The NBA fined Celtics captain Paul Pierce $15,000 Saturday for throwing an object into the stands during Tuesday's triumph over the Pacers.



Garnett injures leg in Celtics' loss (AP)

Kevin Garnett threw down an emphatic dunk, then grimaced before he even landed. With that, Boston's smooth run through this NBA season came to an end. Garnett left in the first quarter with a leg injury, and the Celtics looked ragged without him in a 104-92 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

Celtics get back on track, defeat Pacers (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 21 points and Ray Allen added 17 to help the Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 95-83 on Tuesday night. Boston point guard Rajon Rondo missed his fifth straight game with a sprained left ankle. The Celtics improved to 4-1 without him and maintained the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Pierce helps Celts rebound with win over Pacers
Paul Pierce scored 21 points and Ray Allen added 17 to help the Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 95-83 on Tuesday night.

Allen, Celts close out 76ers for 14th straight win
Ray Allen scored 22 points, and Paul Pierce recovered after missing his first seven shots to score 11 in the second half and lead the Boston Celtics to their 14th straight victory, 84-80 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Celtics push win streak to 14, top 76ers (AP)

Ray Allen scored 22 points, and Paul Pierce recovered after missing his first seven shots to score 11 in the second half and lead the Boston Celtics to their 14th straight victory, 84-80 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. Shaquille O'Neal had 13 points and nine rebounds, but he missed two free throws with 1:02 left and Boston nursing a two-point lead.

Celtics edge 76ers, extend win streak
Ray Allen scored 22 points, and Paul Pierce recovered after missing his first seven shots to score 11 in the second half and lead the Boston Celtics to their 14th straight victory, 84-80 over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Pierce carries C's to 13th straight win
Paul Pierce had his seventh career triple-double and Boston extended its winning streak to 13 games by holding off the Indiana Pacers 99-88 on Sunday.

Celtics win 13th straight behind Pierce (AP)

Rest up, Rajon Rondo. The Boston Celtics showed they can still keep the ball moving even without the NBA's assist leader, getting a triple-double from Paul Pierce while holding off the Indiana Pacers 99-88 on Sunday to extend their winning streak to 13 straight. Pierce had 12 assists and Ray Allen added six more as the Celtics played their second straight game without Rondo, who is out for a...

Pierce nets triple-double; Celts up streak to 13
Paul Pierce had his seventh career triple-double and Boston extended its winning streak to 13 games by holding off the Indiana Pacers 99-88 on Sunday.

Rondo-less Celtics win 12th straight (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 17 points and 13 rebounds -- one of three Boston players with a double-double -- to lead the Celtics to their 12th straight win, 102-90 over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night. Paul Pierce had 15 points and 10 assists and Glen "Big Baby" Davis had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Pierce, Celtics edge Knicks, win 11th straight
Paul Pierce made a tiebreaking jumper with 0.4 seconds left, Amare Stoudemire's 3-pointer at the buzzer was ruled too late, and the Celtics pulled out a thrilling 118-116 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night for their 11th straight win.

Pierce's jumper breaks Knicks' heart
Paul Pierce made a tiebreaking jumper with 0.4 seconds left, Amare Stoudemire's 3-pointer at the buzzer was ruled too late, and the Boston Celtics pulled out a thrilling 118-116 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night for their 11th straight win.

Celts' run hits 11 on Pierce's late shot (AP)

Paul Pierce made a tiebreaking jumper with 0.4 seconds left, Amare Stoudemire's 3-pointer at the buzzer was ruled too late, and the Boston Celtics pulled out a thrilling 118-116 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night for their 11th straight win. The Knicks had their eight-game winning streak snapped when a video replay of Stoudemire's shot showed the ball was clearly still in...

Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics-New York Knicks a good game but a rivalry?
Paul Pierce isn't ready to call the Celtics-Knicks game a rivalry, even though New York is playing well.

Celtics never trail in win over Bulls (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 20 points with a season-high 17 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo scored 12 and had 19 assists on Friday night to lead the Boston Celtics to their sixth straight win, a 104-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Ray Allen scored 14 and Paul Pierce had 18 for Boston, which never trailed. Derrick Rose scored 20 with eight assists, and Joakim Noah had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago.

Celts hold off rally, Blazers' skid at 5 (AP)

Ray Allen missed his first five 3-point attempts before hitting one with 10.7 seconds left to help the Boston Celtics hold off a late charge by the Portland Trail Blazers and win 99-95 on Wednesday night. It was Boston's fifth straight victory, and the fifth straight loss for Portland. Paul Pierce scored 28 points, Kevin Garnett had 17 points and eight rebounds, and Rajon Rondo had 10 points...

Shaq's 25 and 11 lift Celtics over Nets (AP)

Shaquille O'Neal scored a season-high 25 points, even hitting four straight free throws in the fourth quarter as the Boston Celtics came back to beat the New Jersey Nets 89-83 on Wednesday night. Paul Pierce scored 18 and Ray Allen had 15 points and seven assists for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who have won consecutive games after losing two straight for the first time all...

Raptors end 8-game skid vs. Celtics (AP)

Amir Johnson made two free throws with less than 3 seconds to play, Andrea Bargnani scored 29 points, and the Toronto Raptors beat Boston 102-101 Sunday to end an eight-game losing streak to the Celtics. Paul Pierce's potential game-winner bounced off the rim as Toronto beat Boston for the first time since a 114-112 road win on Jan.

Pierce, Rondo lead Celtics' rout of Wall-less Wiz
Paul Pierce scored 23 points, and Rajon Rondo had 12 points and 13 assists on Wednesday night before the Boston starters sat out the fourth quarter and watched the bench pull away for a 114-83 victory over the Washington Wizards.

Celtics get rest while routing Wizards (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 23 points, and Rajon Rondo had 12 points and 13 assists on Wednesday night before the Boston starters sat out the fourth quarter and watched the bench pull away for a 114-83 victory over the Washington Wizards. Kevin Garnett scored 18 in 24 minutes, and Ray Allen had 11 points in 26.

Celtics cap road trip with OT victory (AP)

Ray Allen hit a key 3-point shot in overtime and Paul Pierce scored 28 points as the Boston Celtics held off a furious rally by the Memphis Grizzlies for a 116-110 win Saturday night. Rudy Gay's short pull-up jump shot for Memphis with 7.3 seconds left in regulation tied it at 99. Celtics forward Glen Davis hit a jump shot and Allen dropped in an arching 3-pointer to give the Celtics a 104-99...

Celtics pull out victory after Grizzlies force OT
Ray Allen hit a key 3-point shot in overtime and Paul Pierce scored 28 points as the Celtics held off a furious rally by the Grizzlies for a 116-110 win Saturday night.



Boston star takes Twitter dig at Heat
Either Paul Pierce got "hacked" again or the Boston star really did take a shot at the new-look Miami Heat after Thursday's 112-107 win last night. "It's been a pleasure to bring my talents to south beach now on to Memphis," the message on Pierce's Twitter feed reads.

Red-hot Allen, Celtics scorch stumbling Heat
Ray Allen hit his first seven 3-point tries and finished with 35 points, Paul Pierce added 25 and the Boston Celtics led wire-to-wire in a 112-107 win over Miami on Thursday night, handing the Heat their second straight home loss.

Celts lead wire-to-wire, beat Heat again (AP)

New roster, same problem for the Miami Heat. They just can't find a way to beat the Boston Celtics. Ray Allen hit his first seven 3-point tries and finished with 35 points, Paul Pierce added 25 and the Celtics led wire-to-wire in a 112-107 win over Miami on Thursday night, beating the Heat for the second time this season and handing them a second straight home loss.

Pierce reaches 20,000 points in OT win (AP)

Paul Pierce stepped to the line, moved into NBA history and then finished off the Milwaukee Bucks. It was a moment he never would have dreamed of a few years ago. Pierce scored 12 of his 28 points in overtime to reach 20,000 points in his career, added a key steal with 27 seconds left, and helped the Boston Celtics beat the Bucks 105-102 on Wednesday night.

Pierce hits milestone as Celtics top Bucks in OT
Paul Pierce scored 12 of his 28 points in overtime to reach 20,000 points in his career, added a key steal with 27 seconds left, and helped the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 105-102 on Wednesday night.

Pierce's 28 carry Celtics to OT win (AP)
Paul Pierce scored 12 of his 28 points in overtime to reach 20,000 points in his career, added a key steal with 27 seconds left, and helped the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 105-102 on Wednesday night. Ray Allen had 23 points for the Celtics (4-1), Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 15 assists, and Kevin Garnett scored 13 and grabbed eight rebounds.

Celts romp 109-86, send Pistons to 0-4 (AP)

Paul Pierce stood in the corner with the ball and paused a little longer than he needed to, as if daring the Detroit Pistons to come out and guard him. Then he calmly made another open shot to give Boston a 20-point lead. It was that kind of night for the Celtics. Even without Shaquille O'Neal, Boston rolled past Detroit 109-86 on Tuesday night, executing its offense brilliantly against the...

Celts romp 109-86, send Pistons to 0-4 (AP)
Rajon Rondo had nine points and 17 assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 109-86 rout of the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night. Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and Paul Pierce added 21 for Boston, which won easily despite Shaquille O'Neal's absence because of a bruised knee. The Celtics hardly missed him against the undersized Pistons, who are off to their first 0-4 start since November...

Rondo dishes out 24 assists as Celts clip Knicks
Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with a career-high 24 assists, and Paul Pierce scored 25 points with 14 rebounds on Friday night to lead the Boston Celtics to a 105-101 victory over the New York Knicks.

Rondo has triple-double with 24 assists (AP)

Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with a career-high 24 assists, and Paul Pierce scored 25 points with 14 rebounds on Friday night to lead the Boston Celtics to a 105-101 victory over the New York Knicks. Rondo had 10 points and 10 rebounds and topped his regular-season personal best of 18 assists set against Sacramento in March, but fell short of the franchise record of 28 set by Hall of Famer Bob...

Rondo has career night in Celtics' win
Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with a career-high 24 assists, and Paul Pierce scored 25 points with 14 rebounds on Friday night to lead the Boston Celtics to a 105-101 victory over the New York Knicks.

Garnett, Pierce lead Celtics past Knicks (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 20 points and Paul Pierce added 16 to help Boston beat New York 97-84 in front of a pro-Celtics crowd of 15,318 on Saturday night at the XL Center. Glen Davis added 15 points for the Celtics (6-1), who played their starters in the first and third quarters and the reserves in the second and fourth in their penultimate preseason game.

Amare scores 30 but Celtics beat Knicks (AP)

Paul Pierce made the tiebreaking jumper with eight seconds left, and the Boston Celtics beat the New York Knicks 104-101 on Wednesday night. The Celtics overcame a big first home game at Madison Square Garden for Amare Stoudemire, who scored 30 points in three quarters. But he was on the bench along with the rest of the Knicks starters down the stretch, when the Celtics pulled it out.

Pierce's jumper seals Celtics' win over Knicks
Paul Pierce made the tiebreaking jumper with eight seconds left, and the Boston Celtics beat the New York Knicks 104-101 on Wednesday night.

Pierce looking forward to Shaq pairing (AP)
Paul Pierce is eager to help Shaquille O'Neal catch up to Kobe Bryant. Pierce enthusiastically endorsed the Boston Celtics' decision to sign O'Neal after Pierce's No. 34 jersey was retired at Inglewood High School on Tuesday. Boston owner Wyc Grousbeck said the Celtics decided to pursue O'Neal after Bryant's playful remark after the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 7 victory over...

2010 NBA free agents: Boston Celtics officially re-sign Paul Pierce
The Boston Celtics officially re-signed forward Paul Pierce.

Pierce officially re-signs with Celtics (AP)
The Boston Celtics have re-signed captain Paul Pierce. The club made the official announcement Thursday, six days after a team official said it had reached an agreement to keep the star forward. The Boston Herald had reported that the contract is for four years with Pierce and the Celtics having a mutual option for the fourth year.

2010 NBA free agents: Source says Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce agree on four-year deal
Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics have reportedly found a way to stay together.

NBA free agency: Reports: Paul Pierce agrees to deal to stay with Boston Celtics
Paul Pierce reportedly has agreed to a four-year deal to stay with Boston Celtics

Pierce sticking with Celtics
Paul Pierce's flirtation with free agency doesn't last long as he agrees to return to the Celtics with a four-year, $61 million deal.

Pierce sticking with Celtics
Paul Pierce's flirtation with free agency doesn't last long as he agrees to return to the Celtics with a four-year, $61 million deal.

Pierce sticking with Celtics
Paul Pierce's flirtation with free agency doesn't last long as he agrees to return to the Celtics with a four-year, $61 million deal.

Sources: Boston Celtics begin contract talks with Paul Pierce
The Celtics have begun contract talks with Paul Pierce, sources said on Thursday.

Report: Celtics' Pierce to opt out (AP)
ESPN.com is reporting Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce has notified the team he will opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent. Pierce's agent, Jeff Schwartz, told ESPN.com in a text message Tuesday night the All-Star forward will forfeit next season's $21.5 million salary for a chance to sign a new four-year deal worth more than $90 million.

Report: Pierce to become free agent
Paul Pierce becomes the latest NBA star to enter the free-agent market.

2010 NBA free agency: Sources say Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce opting out to become free agent
Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Paul Pierce has notified the Boston Celtics that he will opt out of the final year of his contract before Wednesday's deadline, which will make Pierce an unrestricted free agent.

Stephen A Smith and Mark Kriegel preview Game 7
For Stephen A. Smith's prediction to come true, Paul Pierce needs to get off early in Game 7.

Celtics' 'Big 3' looking for title No. 2 (AP)
One banner in the rafters accomplished a lifelong goal for Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Another, and they're in the conversation with the great Boston Celtics teams of all time. "Everybody wants to have one. All the teams want to get there. But there have been a lot of great players who never did," said Tom "Satch" Sanders, who won eight NBA titles in a Celtics...

Celts overcome 38 by Kobe to win Game 5 (AP)
It's looking a lot like 2008 again, with Paul Pierce carrying the Boston Celtics to victory in the NBA finals and leading them to the brink of yet another title. Pierce scored 27 points -- his best performance of this year's finals -- and the Celtics withstood 38 points from Kobe Bryant to beat the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers 92-86 on Sunday night and take a 3-2 lead in the...

Celtics within one of title after Pierce bests Kobe
It's looking a lot like 2008 again, with Paul Pierce carrying the Boston Celtics to victory in the NBA finals and leading them to the brink of yet another title.

Paul Pierce to Los Angeles Lakers fans: 'We ain't coming back to LA!'
Paul Pierce tells Lakers fans: 'We ain't coming back to LA!'

Physical Lakers beat Celtics in Game 1 (AP)
Kobe Bryant scored 30 points, Pau Gasol had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers got tough in a 102-89 victory over the Boston Celtics in the NBA finals opener Thursday night. Ron Artest scored 15 points after tumbling to the ground in a tangle with Paul Pierce in the opening minute of the 12th finals meeting in the NBA's most scintillating rivalry.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce excited for NBA Finals, L.A. homecoming
Paul Pierce excited to return to NBA Finals, hometown.

Pierce excited to return to finals, LA (AP)
Paul Pierce is excited to return to the NBA finals and his hometown for the next round in the league's greatest rivalry. Boston's best player isn't exactly thrilled that Los Angeles' welcoming committee includes Ron Artest, a physical, tenacious defender. "He likes to bang you," Pierce said Monday, "grab you, hold you, pull your shorts down.

Celtics' subs could be key in NBA finals (AP)
When Paul Pierce and Boston's other starters need a rest in the NBA finals, they can watch their replacements with confidence. Just as they did two years ago against the same opponent. Two years ago, when the Celtics won their 17th title by beating the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston's key backups have changed since then.

Celts finish off Magic in 6 to win East (AP)
The NBA's most-decorated team avoided the biggest playoff collapse in league history and earned a chance to hang an unprecedented 18th championship banner from the rafters. Paul Pierce had 31 points and 13 rebounds, and little-used backup Nate Robinson gave the Celtics a boost with 13 second-quarter points as Boston beat the Orlando Magic 96-84 on Friday night, earning a chance to play for a...

Celtics stars falter in Game 4 loss (AP)
Rajon Rondo had one of his worst game of the playoffs. Kevin Garnett threw away a pass with 43 seconds left. Paul Pierce missed two 3-pointers after that. The Boston Celtics are returning to Orlando for a game they didn't want to play because three of their best players in the Eastern Conference finals faltered at critical moments.

2010 NBA playoffs: Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics won't look ahead to Los Angeles Lakers
Paul Pierce, Celtics won't look ahead to potential matchup with Lakers.

Celtics guarding against overconfidence (AP)
Two wins away from the NBA finals, the Boston Celtics have plenty of reasons for confidence. But overconfidence? Don't count on it, no matter what Paul Pierce said. Before leaving the court after Boston took a 2-0 lead over the Orlando Magic with a 95-92 win on Tuesday night, Pierce said in a live 60-second television interview that the Celtics were coming home to close it out.

Paul Pierce again denies tweet; other comments irk Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers
Paul Pierce again denies tweet; other comments irk Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

Pierce's Twitter boast a hack job?
In the hours after a Game 2 win over Orlando, Paul Pierce's Twitter account lit up with a boast -- "Anybody got a BROOM?" Except the Celtics star's reps are denying he ever posted it.

Pierce, team defense carrying Celtics (AP)
Freed from the burden of trying to guard LeBron James, Paul Pierce is back to his high-scoring ways. That plus tenacious team defense have the Boston Celtics rolling in the Eastern Conference finals. They swept the first two games at the home of the Orlando Magic and now have time to rest their old bodies before Game 3 on Saturday night in Boston.

2010 NBA Playoffs: Paul Pierce denies tweeting about sweeping Orlando Magic
Paul Pierce denies tweet that suggested a Celtics sweep of the Magic.

Celtics hold off Magic, take 2-0 lead (AP)
The Boston Celtics might just roll back to the NBA finals if they keep this up. Paul Pierce scored 28 points, Rajon Rondo had 25 and the Boston Celtics again avoided a late collapse to take a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 95-92 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Celtics again escape collapse to put away Magic
Paul Pierce scored 28 points, Rajon Rondo had 25 and the Boston Celtics again avoided a late collapse to take a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 95-92 victory over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.

Celtics hold off Magic rally, win Game 1 (AP)
The Orlando Magic finally met their match in the playoffs. Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Boston Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener. Rasheed Wallace added 13 points as the Celtics built a 20-point lead, then held on late to snap Orlando's 14-game winning streak.

Celtics withstand late charge to put away Magic
Ray Allen scored 25 points, Paul Pierce had 22 and the Boston Celtics used smothering defense to beat the Magic 92-88 on Sunday in the Eastern Conference finals opener.

2010 NBA Playoffs: Paul Pierce: 'There's nothing wrong with me'
Paul Pierce insists he has no health problems and isn't making excuses for his poor offensive play.

2010 NBA playoffs: Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra accepts blame for no foul on Paul Pierce
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra took responsibility Saturday for the decision to not foul Boston's Paul Pierce on the last possession of the Celtics' backbreaking Game 3 victory over Miami.

Heat coach: Decision not to foul 'on me' (AP)
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra took responsibility Saturday for the decision to not foul Boston's Paul Pierce on the last possession of the Celtics' backbreaking Game 3 victory over Miami. The Heat had a foul to give when Pierce got the ball for the final play Friday night. Pierce dribbled against Miami's Dorell Wright, pulled up and hit a 21-footer as time expired to give Boston a 100-98...

Pierce nails winner for Celtics, Wade watches
Paul Pierce hit a 21-foot jumper at the buzzer as an injured Dwyane Wade watched from the Miami bench, and the Boston Celtics took complete command of their Eastern Conference first-round series with a 100-98 victory over the Heat on Friday night.

Pierce's buzzer-beater puts Celts up 3-0 (AP)
Paul Pierce hit a 21-foot jumper at the buzzer as an injured Dwyane Wade watched from the Miami bench, and the Boston Celtics took complete command of their Eastern Conference first-round series with a 100-98 victory over the Heat on Friday night. Wade was helped off the court with 11 seconds remaining, after he missed a shot that would have put Miami up by three points.

Wade hurts leg late in loss to Celtics (AP)
Dwyane Wade appeared to injure his left leg in the fourth quarter of Miami's 100-98 playoff loss to Boston on Friday night. Wade missed a straightaway 3-pointer and television replays showed his left foot landing on Ray Allen's right foot. Wade crumpled to the court, and wasn't on the floor for the final play -- a jumper by Paul Pierce at the buzzer that won the game for Boston and gave...

Garnett: Aiding Pierce led to technicals (AP)
Kevin Garnett says he was coming to the aid of Celtics teammate Paul Pierce when he picked up two technical fouls. Pierce fell near the Miami bench with 40 seconds left in Boston's 85-76 win over the Heat in Saturday night's playoff opener. Garnett said he was concerned that Pierce hurt his shoulder, a problem earlier this season, when Quentin Richardson hovered and started talking.

Bucks win as Celtics rest Big 3 (AP)
Jerry Stackhouse and Luke Ridnour scored 17 points apiece, and the Milwaukee Bucks won their regular-season finale 106-95 on Wednesday night as the Boston Celtics rested their Big Three in preparation for the playoffs. With Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen sitting out to avoid possible injury, the lack of defense and excitement had spectators moving toward the exits midway through the...

Boston Celtics rest Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce in regular-season finale
The Boston Celtics are resting Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to avoid possible injuries before the playoffs.

Celtics rest Big 3 for finale (AP)
The Boston Celtics are resting Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to avoid possible injuries before the playoffs. The team's Big Three were not in the starting lineup against the Milwaukee Bucks in Wednesday night's regular-season finale, and coach Doc Rivers said they would not play. Rivers said a fourth regular starter, center Kendrick Perkins, wouldn't play either to make sure...

Pierce's second-half surge paces Celts by Bucks
Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half and the Boston Celtics beat Milwaukee 105-90 on Saturday night without Kevin Garnett, pushing the Bucks around in the process.

Celtics handle Bucks without Garnett
Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half and the Boston Celtics beat Milwaukee 105-90 on Saturday night without Kevin Garnett, pushing the Bucks around in the process.

Celtics roll past Bucks in chippy game (AP)
Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half and the Boston Celtics beat Milwaukee 105-90 on Saturday night without Kevin Garnett, pushing the Bucks around in the process. After a rough-and-tumble game in Milwaukee last month, this one featured more pushing and shoving late and could be a sign of things to come in a first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Turkoglu hurt as Raptors lose to Celtics (AP)
Rajon Rondo scored 21 points, Paul Pierce had 20 and the Boston Celtics capitalized on another injury to a Toronto player by beating the Raptors 115-104 on Wednesday night. Kevin Garnett scored 19 points, Ray Allen had 18 and Michael Finley 14 as the Celtics won their eighth straight over Toronto, sweeping the series for the second consecutive season.

Shoulder 'stinger' keeps Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce from practice
Shoulder 'stinger' keeps Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce from practice.

Rondo, Pierce help Celtics get by Kings (AP)
Rajon Rondo had a career-high 18 assists, Paul Pierce scored 22 points and the Boston Celtics won for the sixth time in seven games with a 94-86 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. The Celtics led by 24 points late in the first half, but the Kings cut it to 87-81 with 3:12 left in the game on a 3-pointer by Beno Udrih.

Celtics muscle Nuggets to secure playoff berth
Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Kevin Garnett had 20 and the Boston Celtics clinched a playoff berth with a 113-99 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

Celtics top Nuggets, clinch playoff spot (AP)
Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Kevin Garnett had 20 and the Boston Celtics clinched a playoff berth with a 113-99 win over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. The Celtics dominated inside and the Nuggets, one day after losing to the Knicks in New York, slipped a half-game behind the Dallas Mavericks and into a third-place tie with Utah in the Western Conference with their third consecutive loss.

Pierce, Rondo lead Celtics past Mavs (AP)
The Boston Celtics got the split they wanted with the Dallas Mavericks. Paul Pierce scored 29 points, Rajon Rondo added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the Celtics stretched their winning streak to four games with a 102-93 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night. Ray Allen had 21 points for the Celtics, beaten by the Mavericks 99-90 in Boston on Jan.

Rondo hits down stretch as Celtics top Mavs
Paul Pierce scored 29 points, Rajon Rondo added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics stretched their winning streak to four games with a 102-93 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

Pierce helps Celtics outlast Rockets (AP)
No matter where Aaron Brooks ran Friday night, Rajon Rondo seemed to follow him. And when Houston's speedy point guard found space, another Boston Celtic seemed to step in front of him. Paul Pierce scored 26 points, Ray Allen hit five 3-pointers and had 19 points, and the Celtics snapped Houston's four-game winning streak with a 94-87 victory.

Big 3 help Celtics end Rockets' win streak at 4
Paul Pierce scored 26 points, Ray Allen hit five 3-pointers and had 19 points, and the Boston Celtics snapped Houston's four-game winning streak with a 94-87 victory over the Rockets on Friday night.

Pierce, Celtics cruise to 3rd straight blowout win
Paul Pierce scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett had 22 and the Boston Celtics cruised to their third straight lopsided victory at home, 109-97 over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

Celtics cruise past Knicks 109-97 (AP)
Paul Pierce scored 29 points, Kevin Garnett had 22 and the Boston Celtics cruised to their third straight lopsided victory at home, 109-97 over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. And for the third straight home game, all five Boston starters watched the fourth quarter from the bench. The Celtics led 32-19 after the first quarter, 68-49 at halftime and 92-69 after the third.

Celtics rebound by coasting to win vs. Pistons
Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Michael Finley scored 15 points apiece, helping the Celtics coast to a 119-93 victory over the Pistons.

Balanced Celtics cruise past Pistons (AP)
Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Michael Finley scored 15 points apiece, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and eight rebounds on Monday night to help the Boston Celtics coast to a 119-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Boston rested its starters in the fourth quarter while beating up on a non-contender for the second straight home game.

Celtics avoid 3-game skid, beat Pacers (AP)
The Boston Celtics went home after their last loss with the boos of the hometown fans still ringing in their ears. When they got together on Friday morning, they had plenty to talk about. "We really had a heart-to-heart this morning," Celtics captain Paul Pierce said after scoring 20 points in three quarters to help Boston snap a two-game losing streak and beat the Indiana Pacers 122-103.

Celtics dismantle Pacers to halt two-game skid
Paul Pierce scored 20 points and Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 11 assists in just three quarters Friday night as the Boston Celtics snapped a two-game losing streak with a 122-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Pierce scores 27 as Celts rout Bobcats (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 27 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 104-80 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. Nate Robinson had 16 points, including three 3-pointers in a 90-second span bridging the first and second quarters to key a 16-0 run, for the Celtics. Kevin Garnett added 12 points as Boston won its second straight and beat up on Charlotte for the third time this season.

Paul Pierce returns to Boston Celtics after missing 3 games
Celtics forward Paul Pierce was a late addition to the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Pistons.



Pierce set to return from thumb injury for Celtics
Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce says he is ready to return after missing three games with a sprained right thumb.

Paul Pierce expects to play Tuesday; Kendrick Perkins is expected to be out
Celtics center Kendrick Perkins is not expected to travel for road game due to illness but Paul Pierce is expected to return.

Week 19 Fantasy Basketball Planner
Will owners get either Paul Pierce or Dwyane Wade back in action in Week 19? What impact might the schedule have on your key Fantasy contributors? Our Sergio Gonzalez breaks it all down in his Planner.




Paul Pierce out for Boston Celtics against Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers: Paul Pierce out against Cleveland Cavaliers Thursday.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers: Paul Pierce likely to miss Cavs game
The Celtics' Paul Pierce and Marquis Daniels missed practice; Thursday Cavs game status iffy.

Celtics likely without Pierce on Thursday vs. Cavs
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers says star forward Paul Pierce likely will miss the game Thursday against Cleveland because of a lingering right thumb injury.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce out indefinitely with thumb injury
Celtics' Pierce out indefinitely with thumb injury

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce out indefinitely with thumb injury
Celtics' Pierce out indefinitely with thumb injury

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce hampered by sprained thumb
The thumb Paul Pierce sprained trying to fight through a screen against the Lakers on Thursday has made it almost impossible for him to shoot right.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce considering time off for thumb
Paul Pierce suggested Monday that he will talk with coach Doc Rivers about taking a few days off to heal a bothersome right thumb.



Smith's 16 in 4th lifts Nuggets by Celts (AP)

J.R. Smith scored 16 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and the Denver Nuggets recovered from blowing an early 20-point lead to beat the Boston Celtics 114-105 Sunday. Chauncey Billups had 26 points and Carmelo Anthony had 23 for the Nuggets, who avoided back-to-back losses for the first time since late December with the victory over the NBA's top road team.

Wallace, Pierce help Celtics beat Kings (AP)

Rasheed Wallace and Paul Pierce each scored 17 points, and the Boston Celtics held off the Sacramento Kings for a 95-92 victory on Tuesday night. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for the Celtics, who had lost five of eight games before the All-Star break. Boston is 10-13 since Christmas and has seen its Atlantic Division lead shrink to 4 1/2 games over second-place Toronto.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce says he's OK to play
Celtics' Paul Pierce says he's OK to play vs. Hornets and in All-Star Game.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce pulled from practice, questionable for Wednesday
Doc Rivers indicated that the Celtics pulled captain Paul Pierce out of practice Monday afternoon to rest his sprained left mid-foot injury.

Paul Pierce, Marquis Daniels return for the Boston Celtics against the Orlando Magic
Paul Pierce, Marquis Daniels back in action for Celtics.

Pierce returns after missing 2 games (AP)
Paul Pierce is playing for the Boston Celtics against the Orlando Magic after missing two games with a foot injury. The team's leading scorer was back in the starting lineup for Sunday's game. Backup guard Marquis Daniels also was in uniform after sitting out 29 games following surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Celtics' Paul Pierce, Marquis Daniels return a game-time decision
C's Pierce, Daniels say Sunday a go: Rivers says maybe

Billups, Pierce headline 3-point contest field
All-Stars Paul Pierce of Boston and Chauncey Billups of Denver headline the field for the 3-point contest.

Pierce, Billups headline 3-point field (AP)
All-Stars Paul Pierce of Boston and Chauncey Billups of Denver headline the field for the 3-point contest. Also chosen for the field Friday were defending champion Daequan Cook of Miami, Golden State rookie Stephen Curry, New York's Danilo Gallinari and Phoenix center Channing Frye. Cook scored 19 points in an overtime round to beat Orlando's Rashard Lewis last year.

Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups highlight Three-Point Shootout competitors
All-Stars Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics and Chauncey Billups of the Denver Nuggets headline the field for the NBA Three-Point Shootout.

Struggling Celtics drop Heat at home
Even without Paul Pierce, the Boston Celtics had too much for Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.

Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics is invited to compete in 3-point shootout
Paul Pierce invited to shootout, but foot may be a problem.

Injured Pierce hopes to play for Celtics on Sunday
Paul Pierce is hoping to return to the Boston Celtics lineup on Sunday.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce out vs. Miami Heat, likely sitting Friday as well
Paul Pierce sat out with a foot injury on Wednesday and will likely miss Friday's game as well.

Danny Ainge: Boston Celtics awaiting word on Paul Pierce's injury
Danny Ainge says the Celtics are waiting word the extent of Paul Pierce's injury.

Celtics pull away in 4th, snap skid at 3 (AP)

Kevin Garnett's 19 points led six Celtics in double figures, and Boston limited Washington to 2-for-18 shooting in the fourth quarter en route to a 99-88 victory over the Wizards on Monday night. Boston ended a three-game losing streak and prevented Washington from compiling its first three-game winning streak since April 2008.

Kobe's late hoop lifts Lakers by Celtics (AP)

Kobe Bryant sank a go-ahead fallaway jumper with 7.3 seconds left to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 90-89 victory over Boston on Sunday and send the struggling Celtics to their sixth loss in eight games. The Celtics, who led by 11 points in the fourth quarter, nursed a one-point lead until Paul Pierce was called for an offensive foul for pushing off as he jumped to shoot with 28 seconds left.

Celtics slip past Clippers despite floor issues
Paul Pierce scored 22 points and Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 12 assists, leading the Celtics to a 95-89 win over the Clippers on Monday night.

Pierce, Rondo lead Celtics past Clips (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 22 points and Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 12 assists, leading the Boston Celtics to a 95-89 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night in a game played on a TD Garden floor that had to be continually wiped because of condensation. It was the Celtics' second straight win after they lost four of five games.

Pistons beat Celtics in Wallace's return (AP)

Rodney Stuckey scored 27 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 92-86 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. Rasheed Wallace had 16 points in his first game as an ex-Piston at The Palace, where the once-adored player received a mixed welcome and was booed late in the closely contested game.

Paul Pierce bangs previously infected knee at Sunday's Boston Celtics practice
The Celtics' Paul Pierce bangs his ailing knee at practice.

Deng's 25 help Bulls beat Celtics 96-83 (AP)

Luol Deng scored 25 points and the Chicago Bulls won their third straight game with a 96-83 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. The Celtics, whose only lead was 2-0, trailed 86-80 after Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer with 3:50 left. But the Bulls scored eight of the next nine points, six by Joakim Noah, to build the lead to 94-81.

Pierce's 24 help Celtics rout Nets (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 28 minutes and the Boston Celtics quickly turned a mismatch on paper into just that on the court, beating the New Jersey Nets 111-87 on Wednesday night. Ray Allen added 15 points and Rajon Rondo had 11 points and 14 assists for the Celtics, who are playing without All-Star Kevin Garnett (right knee) and reserve Rasheed Wallace (sore left foot), but would've had...

Pierce scoring spree fuels Celtics' lopsided win
Paul Pierce scored 24 points in 28 minutes and the Boston Celtics quickly turned a mismatch on paper into just that on the court, beating the New Jersey Nets.

Johnson has 36, Hawks beat Celtics again (AP)

Joe Johnson scored 36 points, going 5 of 7 from 3-point range, to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 102-96 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night. The Celtics have dropped only 10 games all season and three have been to Atlanta, which had lost seven straight to Boston coming into the season. Rajon Rondo had 26 points and seven assists for Boston.

Rondo has triple-double as Celtics win (AP)

Rajon Rondo had 22 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season, Rasheed Wallace scored a season-high 29 points and the Boston Celtics beat Toronto 114-107 on Sunday for their seventh straight win over the Raptors. Wallace made five of Boston's 11 3-pointers. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins each scored 16 points for Boston, which had lost four of six...

Celtics top Heat in OT despite Wade's 44 (AP)

Dwyane Wade made what seemed like the perfect play. Rajon Rondo came up with something better. Rondo scored 25 points, including a buzzer-beating layup after catching Paul Pierce's lob at the end of regulation, then delivered the biggest shot of overtime as the Boston Celtics got a wild 112-106 overtime win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.

Paul Pierce likely to play Wednesday; Kendrick Perkins, Eddie House sick
Paul Pierce is likely to play Wednesday; Kendrick Perkins, Eddie House are sick.

Minus 3 starters, Celtics beat Raptors (AP)

Ray Allen scored 23 points, Rasheed Wallace added 16 and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 103-96 on Saturday night despite missing three starters because of injuries. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Boston and ended the Raptors' season-high five-game winning streak. Paul Pierce missed his fifth straight game after having a pair of minor surgical procedures for an...

Kevin Garnett likely to miss at least 10 more days, Paul Pierce still day-to-day
Garnett figures to miss at least 10 more days

Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce to be out Saturday
Celtics' Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce to miss Saturday's game

Suns top injury-depleted Celtics 116-98 (AP)

The Boston Celtics already were in trouble without Paul Pierce. Take Kevin Garnett away, too, and it got ugly against the Phoenix Suns. Amare Stoudemire and Channing Frye scored 26 points apiece, and the Suns handed what was left of the Celtics their third straight loss, 116-98 on Wednesday night. Without Garnett to guard him, Stoudemire scored 18 on 9-of-10 shooting in the first quarter and...

Rondo, defense help Celtics beat Magic (AP)

Rajon Rondo had 17 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, and the Boston Celtics bullied the Orlando Magic with strong defense in an 86-77 victory Friday. Ray Allen added 18 points and Tony Allen scored 16 in place of the injured Paul Pierce for the Celtics, who rolled to their 14th win in the last 15 games.

Celtics say Pierce's knee infection 'serious'
The Boston Celtics don't expect Paul Pierce back any time soon.

Celtics' Paul Pierce out after arthroscopic work on knee
Pierce sidelined after arthroscopic procedure on knee

Celtics F Pierce to miss next 2 weeks (AP)
Celtics forward Paul Pierce had fluid drained from his right knee Wednesday and will miss the next two weeks. Pierce did not make the flight to Orlando for a Christmas Day game against the Magic, one day after Kevin Garnett missed his first game of the season with a thigh bruise. Instead, team doctor Brian McKeon drained fluid from Pierce's knee at New England Baptist Hospital.

Celtics' Pierce out 2 weeks with knee infection
Celtics forward Paul Pierce had fluid drained from his right knee Wednesday and will miss the next two weeks.

Celtics' Paul Pierce out after arthroscopic work on knee
Pierce sidelined after arthroscopic procedure on knee

Pierce shakes slow start, lifts Celts over Pacers
Paul Pierce missed his first 10 shots and then scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, including seven straight to put the Boston Celtics ahead for good in a 103-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Pierce, Celtics recover after poor start (AP)

Paul Pierce missed his first 10 shots and then scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, including seven straight to put the Boston Celtics ahead for good in a 103-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. Pierce finished with 21 points, going 12 for 13 from the free throw line to make up for his slow start from the floor.

Pierce, Celtics light up Wolves en route to win
Paul Pierce scored 29 points and hit all six of his 3-point attempts to lead the Celtics to a 122-104 victory over the Timberwolves on Sunday night.

Pierce makes 6 3s as Celtics cruise (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 29 points and hit all six of his 3-point attempts to lead the Boston Celtics to a 122-104 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. Pierce scored 14 points in the second quarter, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to help Boston turn a 34-19 lead into a 25-point halftime advantage.

Celtics extend winning streak to 11 (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 19 points, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo added 18 apiece and the Boston Celtics won their 11th straight game, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 110-105 on Monday night. Rasheed Wallace added 15 points, while Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett each scored 13. Rondo had nine of Boston's 25 assists.

Celtics handle Grizzlies' rally, win 11th straight
Paul Pierce scored 19 points, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo added 18 apiece and the Boston Celtics won their 11th straight game, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 110-105 on Monday night.

Rondo leads Celtics to 10th straight win (AP)

Paul Pierce insisted the Boston Celtics have their flaws, no matter how hard they are to find these days. Their latest showing was one of their best yet. Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 14 assists, and the Celtics won their 10th straight, beating the struggling Chicago Bulls 106-80 on Saturday. "We're nowhere near a perfect team," Pierce said.

Rondo leads Celts to eighth straight win (AP)

Rajon Rondo had 13 assists and nine rebounds and scored all of his 11 points in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night as the Boston Celtics pulled away to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 98-89 and win their eighth straight game. Kevin Garnett scored 25 to go with nine boards, and Paul Pierce scored 15 points.

Celtics complete perfect 4-game trip (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 23 points, Paul Pierce added 21 in the first half and the Boston Celtics completed a perfect four-game trip with a 105-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. Garnett scored nine consecutive points, including three dunks, to put Boston in command in the first 5 minutes of the second half.

Celtics roll Durant, Thunder to sweep road jaunt
Kevin Garnett scored 23 points, Paul Pierce added 21 in the first half and the Boston Celtics completed a perfect four-game trip with a 105-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night.

Garnett helps Celtics rally past Heat (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 24 points on 11 of 12 shooting, Ray Allen delivered the big blow with a 3-pointer with 1:38 left and the Boston Celtics rallied to beat the Miami Heat 92-85 on Sunday night. Paul Pierce scored 15 points and Kendrick Perkins finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, which opened a four-game road trip by winning its fourth straight.

Celtics ride Allen, Perkins to third straight win
Ray Allen scored 20 points, Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins had 18 apiece, and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 116-103 on Friday night.

Celtics win third straight, beat Raptors (AP)

Ray Allen scored 20 points, Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins had 18 apiece, and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 116-103 on Friday night. Rajon Rondo had 12 points and 11 assists as the Celtics won their third in a row for the first time since opening the season with six straight victories.

Rondo sparks Celtics past Sixers 113-110 (AP)

Rajon Rondo scored six points during a key run early in the fourth quarter, nailed a shot clock-beating jumper on the baseline in the closing seconds, and the Boston Celtics overcame poor 3-point shooting to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 113-110 on Wednesday night. Paul Pierce led Boston with 27 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer early in the 14-3 spurt.

Garnett's OT buzzer-beater lifts Celtics (AP)

Kevin Garnett made a jumper to beat the overtime buzzer, giving the Boston Celtics a 107-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday. Paul Pierce scored a season-high 33 points, and had all of Boston's points in overtime until the final shot. Two Knicks followed Pierce on the final play, leaving Garnett wide open from the top of the key for his 19-footer.

Celtics ride Rondo, Pierce past Warriors (AP)

Rajon Rondo scored 12 of his season high-matching 18 points in the third quarter and the Boston Celtics rebounded from a two-game skid with a 109-95 win over the short-handed Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Paul Pierce, who missed a day of practice with a sore left knee, scored 19 on 7-of-12 shooting.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce returns to practice
Celtics forward Paul Pierce has returned to practice after missing a day with a sore left knee.

Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce (knee) makes start vs. Indiana Pacers
Boston forward Paul Pierce appeared to have no lingering effects from a bruised left knee and was in the starting lineup Saturday against Indiana.

Celtics improve to 8-1, cruise past Jazz (AP)

Rajon Rondo had 14 points and 11 assists and the Boston Celtics beat the Utah Jazz 105-86 on Wednesday night to match their 8-1 start from their title-winning season two years ago. Boston has won two in a row since its only loss, to Phoenix on Friday. Kevin Garnett scored 18 points, Paul Pierce had 13 and Ray Allen 15 for the Celtics.

Celtics bounce back, keep Nets winless (AP)
Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce each scored 16 points, and the Boston Celtics bounced back from their first loss of the season to beat the winless New Jersey Nets 86-76 on Saturday night Ray Allen came alive after three dismal quarters to score eight of his 12 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics (7-1), who lost 110-103 to Phoenix on Friday night, allowing 20 more points than in any previous...

Celtics move to perfect 5-0 with rout of Sixers
Paul Pierce scored 21 points, Rasheed Wallace had 20 and the Boston Celtics remained unbeaten with a 105-74 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.

Celtics move to 5-0, beat 76ers 105-74 (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 21 points, Rasheed Wallace had 20 and the Boston Celtics remained unbeaten with a 105-74 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. The Celtics improved to 5-0 even without the usual standout performances from Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Allen didn't score his first field goal until the third quarter and had five points.

Celtics run past Hornets late to spoil Paul's day
Paul Pierce scored 27 points and the Boston Celtics improved to 4-0 with a 97-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night.

Celtics beat Hornets to stay undefeated (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 27 points and the Boston Celtics improved to 4-0 with a 97-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night. Chris Paul scored 22 points with eight assists for New Orleans, and then had to be held back after the game when he tried to follow the Celtics off the court to their locker room.

Pierce's third-quarter explosion paces Celtics
Paul Pierce scored 20 of his 22 points in the third quarter, and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 118-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night in the teams' first matchup since last spring's thrilling seven-game playoff series.

Pierce has 20 in 3rd, Celtics rout Bulls (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 20 of his 22 points in the third quarter, and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 118-90 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night in the teams' first matchup since last spring's thrilling seven-game playoff series. Ray Allen had 20 points for Boston and Kevin Garnett, who missed the final 25 games of the regular season and the playoffs with strained ligaments in his...

Celtics spoil Shaq's debut with Cavs (AP)

The reunited Big Three -- and Rasheed -- are one up on the Big Two. Paul Pierce scored 23 points, Ray Allen 16 and Kevin Garnett 13 in his first regular-season game since last March as the Boston Celtics beat Cleveland 95-89 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener, spoiling the hyped debut of the Cavaliers with LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

Celtics beat Cavs in season opener
Paul Pierce and the Celtics opened the season with a strong statement, stealing a win from LeBron and the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

Wallace addition gives Celtics Big 4 (AP)

The Big Three lost their biggest piece when Kevin Garnett's knee problems ended his season in March. Now he's back, Rasheed Wallace is here and the Boston Celtics may have a Big Four -- and a whole lot more that could add up to a second NBA championship in three seasons. "The chemistry, I saw it from day one," Paul Pierce said.

Celtics close preseason by clocking Cavs
The Boston Celtics rested two-thirds of their Big Three. Everybody else was up to the task. Eddie House scored 21 points as the Celtics rolled to a 96-82 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in a preseason game Wednesday night. "We got a win. We closed the preseason out right," said House, who hit 8 of 14 shots from the field including three 3-pointers. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen didn't play for the Celtics, coach Doc Rivers saying before the game that he had also asked Paul Pierce to rest.

Pierce, Garnett lead Celtics by Raptors (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 17 points and Kevin Garnett added 16 to lead the Boston Celtics to a 106-90 preseason victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night at the XL Center. UConn coach Jim Calhoun was in attendance and received an ovation when he was shown on the large video board above the court. It was the first time the Celtics played in Hartford since a preseason game in 1995.

Pierce, Garnett lead Celtics past Nets (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 25 points and Kevin Garnett backed up claims that his knee is just fine, adding 12 points and six rebounds in the Boston Celtics' 100-93 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Sunday Garnett, who missed much of last season with a strained right knee, looked comfortable as he chased loose balls and drove to the basket early.

KG plays first home game since March (AP)

Kevin Garnett's knee is better, and he's waiting with uncharacteristic patience for the rest of his body to catch up. After missing 25 regular-season games and the playoffs last season because of strained ligaments in his right knee, Garnett was back on the court in Boston for the first time on Friday night in the Celtics' 96-82 exhibition victory over the New York Knicks.

Report: Celts offer Rasheed Wallace deal (AP)
The Boston Celtics have offered forward Rasheed Wallace a contract as part of a major push to land the coveted forward, according to a published report on Friday. The Boston Globe reports the Celtics offered Wallace a deal during a three-hour meeting in Detroit on Thursday. Celtics stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce joined general manager Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck...

Report: Celtics meet with Wallace, offer deal
Rasheed Wallace may be joining Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in Boston.

Pierce helps Celtics rip Nets 118-86 (AP)

Paul Pierce shook off a cold first half and scored 18 points in the third quarter with perfect shooting to lead the Boston Celtics to their third straight win, 118-86 over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night. Pierce went 5-for-5 in the period, all 3-pointers, and added three free throws as he scored 22 points two nights after getting a season-high 39 in an overtime win over Toronto.

Pierce's season-high 39 lift Celts in OT (AP)

Paul Pierce scored nine of his season-high 39 points in overtime and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors for the second consecutive day, 115-109 Monday night. One day after Ray Allen's 36 points led Boston to a 94-88 win in Toronto, Pierce led a comeback from a 10-point deficit midway through the third quarter and carried the Celtics to their second straight win after they lost four in a...

LeBron's 38 lift Cavs by stumbling Celts (AP)

For days, LeBron James insisted facing the NBA champions in January was no ordinary regular-season game. He and his teammates proved it. James scored 38 points, harassed Paul Pierce all over the floor and strengthened his case to be the league's MVP front-runner as the Cleveland Cavaliers improved to 19-0 at home by beating the staggering Boston Celtics 98-83 Friday night in a game oozing with...

Rockets send Celts to 6th loss in last 8 (AP)

Now the Celtics are losing at home, too. Von Wafer hit a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left to give Houston the lead and the Rockets beat Boston 89-85 on Wednesday night. It was the sixth loss in eight games for the defending NBA champions, but their first at home since a Nov. 14 defeat to Denver sent them on a 19-game winning streak.

Pierce nearly perfect as Celtics cruise (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 26 points on nearly perfect shooting and the Boston Celtics roared back from a rough road trip to beat the Washington Wizards 108-83 on Friday night. The Celtics went 1-3 on their West Coast swing after the best 29-game start in NBA history, 27-2. They were in charge from the start Friday on their homecourt where they're 18-1.

Celtics bounce back, rout Kings 108-63 (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 21 points and 11 rebounds and the Boston Celtics rebounded from back-to-back losses in emphatic fashion, beating the Sacramento Kings 108-63 Sunday night in one of the most one-sided wins in franchise history. The 45-point margin of victory is tied for the sixth biggest ever by the Celtics, who also beat the New York Knicks by that amount last season.

Celts lose second straight, Warriors win (AP)

The defending champions were drained. Stephen Jackson scored eight straight points during the decisive fourth-quarter stretch to finish with 28, and the Golden State Warriors sent Boston to back-to-back losses for the first time this season by rallying past the Celtics 99-89 on Friday night. Paul Pierce had 21 points and five assists and Kevin Garnett scored 14, but the Celtics couldn't hold a...

Lakers snap Celtics' 19-game win streak (AP)

Perhaps now the Los Angeles Lakers can put the anguish of losing the NBA finals to Boston and the embarrassment over the way the series ended behind them. Kobe Bryant had 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists, Pau Gasol scored seven of his 20 points in the final three minutes, and the Lakers beat Boston 92-83 Thursday to snap the Celtics' franchise-record 19-game winning streak.

Celtics extend streak to 17, rip Bulls (AP)

Make it 17 in a row for the 17-time NBA champions. Ray Allen scored 27 points, Kendrick Perkins scored a career-high 25 on 12-for-15 shooting and the Boston Celtics earned their 17th straight victory on Friday night by beating the Chicago Bulls 126-108. Kevin Garnett scored 17, Paul Pierce had 16 and Rajon Rondo had 15 assists for the Celtics, who could tie the longest winning streak in franchise...

Celtics' Pierce to test knee before Atlanta game
Boston's Paul Pierce plans to test his injured left knee at the Celtics' shootaround before the game in Atlanta on Wednesday. Pierce was helped off the court after scrambling for a defensive rebound with 31 seconds left in the Celtics' 100-91 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night. He was examined Tuesday before the team left for Atlanta. Boston, the defending NBA champions, has won 15 straight games.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/487335939" height="1" width="1"/

Celtics' Pierce to test injured knee Wednesday
Boston's Paul Pierce plans to test his injured left knee at the Celtics' shootaround before the game in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Thorpe: The truth about Pierce's game
What makes Paul Pierce one of the best players in the game today? It's his toughness.

Celtics go to 22-2, win 14th straight (AP)

James Posey got his championship ring before the game. The Boston Celtics walked away with all the spoils after it. Paul Pierce scored 28 points and Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 10 rebounds on Friday night to lead the Celtics to their 14th consecutive victory, a 94-82 win over their former teammate and the New Orleans Hornets.

Celtics improve to franchise-best 21-2 (AP)

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Doc Rivers can boast they accomplished something Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Bob Cousy and Red Auerbach never did when their Boston Celtics teams were ruling the NBA: open a season 21-2. Allen and Pierce scored 22 points apiece, Garnett nearly had a triple-double, and Boston beat the Washington Wizards 122-88 on Thursday night for a 13th consecutive victory...

Celts on the verge of their best start (AP)
Larry Bird's Celtics never did it. Neither did Bob Cousy's. None of the franchise's 17 championship teams did it either. With a win Thursday night in Washington, the group led by Paul Pierce can do what never has been done in club history -- start a season with a 21-2 record. Coach Doc Rivers' response: a shrug of the shoulders.

Allen has 35 as Celts win 12th straight (AP)

Ray Allen scored a season-high 35 points, and the Boston Celtics defeated the Indiana Pacers 122-117 in overtime on Sunday to increase their winning streak to 12 games. Kevin Garnett had 17 points, 20 rebounds and five steals, Paul Pierce had 17 points and eight rebounds and Eddie House had 15 points for Boston (20-2).

Celtics win 11th straight, beat Blazers (AP)

The Boston Celtics finally got a look at the one that got away. Greg Oden made his first visit to Boston on Friday night, and the Celtics banged him around and back to the bench with foul trouble before beating the Portland Trail Blazers 93-78. "I think he's just raw right now," Celtics forward Paul Pierce said.

Celtics win ninth straight, beat Magic (AP)
Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 24 points in the third quarter to lead the Boston Celtics to their ninth straight win, 107-88 over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. Ray Allen added 21 points, Rajon Rondo had 16 points with 12 assists and Kevin Garnett scored 15 points for the Celtics (17-2) in a win over a top Eastern Conference rival.

Celtics hold off Bobcats, run reaches 8 (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 19 points to help the Boston Celtics win their eighth straight game, 89-84 over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night. Kendrick Perkins had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Ray Allen added 15 points, Tony Allen had 11, and Eddie House and Kevin Garnett 10 each for the defending NBA champions.

Biggest surprises, disappointments so far
Paul Pierce is getting MVP talk in some circles, so how does he land on Randy Hill's list of the season's biggest disappointments?img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/466436994" height="1" width="1"/

Celts rally from 14 down to top Warriors (AP)

Ray Allen scored 25 points, Rajon Rondo had a season-high 22 and the Boston Celtics overcame a 14-point, third-quarter deficit in a 119-111 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Paul Pierce had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists. Kevin Garnett added 21 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, which won its sixth consecutive game.

Celtics win fifth straight, beat Raptors (AP)

Ray Allen scored 21 points and the Boston Celtics led from the start in winning their fifth straight game, 118-103 over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Tony Allen each scored 15 points for the Celtics, who have won 11 of 12 since a Nov. 1 loss to Indiana. Kendrick Perkins had 12 points and Paul Pierce and Eddie House each scored 11 in helping Boston score a season high.

Celts overcome KG suspension, top Knicks (AP)

Brian Scalabrine, in the starting lineup while Kevin Garnett served a one-game suspension, hit a 3-pointer with 1:14 left to help Boston recover after its 15-point, fourth-quarter lead was trimmed to four and the Celtics beat New York 110-101 on Tuesday night. Paul Pierce scored 22, Kendrick Perkins had 16 points and eight rebounds and Rajon Rondo had 15 points, eight boards and seven assists for...

MVP watch: Kahn's Top 10 so far
Is Paul Pierce the best player in the world? No. But he just might be the MVP. Mike Kahn lists his Top 10 early candidates.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/456267550" height="1" width="1"/

Pierce, Allen carry Celts by Bucks in OT (AP)

Ray Allen wasn't so sure Boston would be able to pull it out in overtime. The Celtics hadn't scored in nearly three minutes and were fading fast in their eighth game in 12 days. But Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer on a second chance, and he and Allen hit all six of their free throws, lifting Boston to a scrappy 102-97 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Pierce's last-second shot lifts Celtics (AP)

The Atlanta Hawks have improved since losing to the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last spring. Too bad for them that the defending champions haven't changed much at all. NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce hit a fallaway jumper with 0.5 seconds left to give Boston a 103-102 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season and their first since the...

Court Awareness: Monday's action
Paul Pierce ended his shooting slump in a big way. He was one of many stars catching fire Monday night, Thomas Halzack says.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/449961766" height="1" width="1"/

Pierce's 22 in 4th get Celts by Raptors (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 22 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Boston Celtics to a 94-87 comeback win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night. Kevin Garnett added 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Ray Allen had 19 points for the Celtics (7-1). Boston scored 58 points in the second half after getting just 36 in the opening 24 minutes.

Celtics shake off slow start, beat Bucks (AP)

Paul Pierce had 18 points and 10 rebounds to help the Boston Celtics overcome their second straight slow start and beat the undermanned Milwaukee Bucks 101-89 on Friday night. The Celtics trailed by 11 points midway through the first quarter and didn't go ahead until Kevin Garnett's dunk made it 44-42 with 4:13 left in the half.

Celtics' D shuts down Thunder (AP)
Paul Pierce had 20 points and nine rebounds, Ray Allen scored 18 points and the Boston Celtics clamped down on the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 96-83 victory Wednesday night. After giving up 29 points in the first quarter, the defending NBA champions held the Thunder to 25 percent shooting over the next two periods and didn't let them match that point total for the next 26 minutes.

Emotional Pierce still the Celtics' main man
LeBron's Cavs couldn't stop Paul Pierce in the season opener, but raising the Celtics' 17th banner almost did, Jeff Goodman says.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/435487724" height="1" width="1"/

Celtics raise 17th banner, beat Cavs (AP)

Banner No. 17 is up in the rafters, and win No. 1 is in the books. NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce scored 27 points as the defending champion Boston Celtics followed an emotional ring ceremony and banner raising with a 90-85 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. LeBron James scored 22, but he missed a driving layup with 41 seconds left and two free throws in the last 11 seconds.

Celtics seek repeat, 18th championship (AP)

Every night of his adult life, Doc Rivers says, he has prayed before bedtime. And every night, it was the same thing: "To win a world championship." "And the night we won it, I got on my knees to do my prayer and I said, 'Again,"' the Boston Celtics coach said. "It didn't take long." Still hungry for another title, Rivers will watch as the Celtics' 17th championship banner is raised to the rafters...

Celtics beat Knicks in preseason finale (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 14 points and nine rebounds, Ray Allen scored 12 points and the Boston Celtics tuned up for the start of their NBA title defense by beating the New York Knicks, 101-90 on Tuesday night. Eddie House led the Celtics with 20 points. Leon Powe added 19 points and 12 rebounds as Boston's big men overwhelmed an undersized New York lineup.

Tony Allen's 32 lift Celtics minus Big 3 (AP)

Tony Allen scored 32 points, 22 in the first half, to lead the NBA champion Boston Celtics to an 111-108 victory over the New Jersey Nets in an exhibition game Thursday night. The Celtics (4-1) played without Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, all kept out of action by Doc Rivers as a coach's decision and not because of injury.

Kahn: NBA's top 10 small forwards
Paul Pierce has a shiny ring. LeBron and Carmelo have gold medals. Where do they rank in Mike Kahn's top 10 small forwards?img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/403920072" height="1" width="1"/

Bush honors Celtics at White House
President George W. Bush on Friday welcomed the Boston Celtics to the White House to celeberate the team's 17th NBA championship, declaring "Celtic pride is back." Bush saluted Celtics' captain Paul Pierce, who led the team to a title and was MVP of the finals despite suffering a knee injury early in the series. "Playing hurt in a championship game is the ultimate sign of leadership," Bush said during an East Room ceremony.img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Foxsports/rss/NBA/~4/397628598" height="1" width="1"/

Q&A: Pierce, Yao and much more
Is Paul Pierce the world's best player, as he claims? Is Yao right to worry about Ron-Ron? Charley Rosen answers your questions.

Pierce cuffed, let go after traffic stop (AP)
Police detained NBA star Paul Pierce in handcuffs during a weekend traffic stop on the Las Vegas Strip, but released him without issuing a summons. Las Vegas police Officer Bill Cassell said Monday that Pierce was handcuffed briefly after emerging "a little agitated" from a vehicle he was driving around 3 a.m.

'Agitated' Pierce cuffed, let go in Vegas
Police detained NBA star Paul Pierce in handcuffs during a weekend traffic stop on the Las Vegas Strip, but released him without issuing a summons. Las Vegas police Officer Bill Cassell said Monday that Pierce was handcuffed briefly after emerging "a little agitated" from a vehicle he was driving around 3 a.m. Sunday. Pierce led the Boston Celtics to the championship this year and was MVP of the finals.

Gatorade-stained shirt sells for $35K, plus pledges
The Gatorade-stained shirt worn by Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers as the team won its first NBA championship in 22 years has been auctioned for $55,000. An anonymous bidder bought the shirt, autographed by Rivers and Celtics star Paul Pierce, and the accompanying Gatorade bucket at a charity auction on sports radio WEEI-AM's Web site. The proceeds will benefit the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation. The foundation said Tuesday the high bid of $35,000 came from an anonymous bidder.

Rivers' Gatorade-stained shirt nets $55K (AP)
The Gatorade-stained shirt worn by Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers as the team won its first NBA championship in 22 years has been auctioned for $55,000. An anonymous bidder bought the shirt, autographed by Rivers and Celtics star Paul Pierce, and the accompanying Gatorade bucket at a charity auction on sports radio WEEI-AM's Web site.

Celtics sublime in season finale
Paul Pierce may have been Finals MVP, but all of the Celtics were superb in Game 6. It was truly a team title, Charley Rosen says.

Big Three takes home title; Pierce wins MVP
It's the reason Paul Pierce stuck around when the losses mounted and the end was far from clear. The reason Ray Allen was acquired as a draft-day consolation prize. And the reason Kevin Garnett agreed to leave the only pro team he'd ever known. The Big Three has won the Big One. The Boston Celtics rode their three All-Stars to their 17th championship on Tuesday night, blowing by the Los Angeles Lakers with a stunning show of second-quarter scoring to win 131-92 in Game 6 of the NBA finals.

Celtics win 17th NBA championship (AP)

On a new parquet floor below aging championship banners, the Boston Celtics won their 17th NBA title and a first one -- at last -- for Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen -- their Big Three for a new generation. After 22 long years, the NBA has gone green. Lifted by ear-splitting chants of "Beat L.A." from their adoring crowd, which included Boston legends Bill Russell John Havlicek and JoJo...

Perkins in doubt for Sunday's Game 5
The Boston Celtics aren't sure if center Kendrick Perkins will be able to play in Sunday night's Game 5 of the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Perkins strained his left shoulder in Boston's 97-91 victory Thursday night. He is averaging 4.5 points in the series. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo also aggravated his sprained left ankle, and star forward Paul Pierce rolled his right ankle in Game 4, but the captain stayed in the game. Both are day to day.

Celtics C Perkins uncertain for Game 5 (AP)
The Boston Celtics aren't sure if center Kendrick Perkins will be able to play in Sunday night's Game 5 of the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Perkins strained his left shoulder in Boston's 97-91 victory Thursday night. He is averaging 4.5 points in the series. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo also aggravated his sprained left ankle, and star forward Paul Pierce rolled his right ankle in...

Pierce helps Celtics rally for 3-1 series lead
In the quiet of the stunned Staples Center, Paul Pierce finally peeked at the scoreboard in triumph. Flexing his arms after beating the team he grew up idolizing, Pierce celebrated leading Boston back from an unprecedented deficit to a 97-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the NBA finals Thursday night. "It's a dream if I can come out here and win on Sunday," said Pierce, who scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half, when the Celtics erased most of a 24-point deficit.

Time to see if the Truth can handle L.A.
Paul Pierce has oodles of talent. But can he handle playing in front of his hometown crowd for its hated rival? Mike Kahn isn't sure.

Hill talks Lakers' win
What did the Lakers do in Game 3 that they didn't in Boston? They played smarter defense against Paul Pierce, Randy Hill says.

Hill on Celtics' adjustments
Boston was in total control of its Game 2 win until late. Randy Hill says it's because L.A. just had no answers for KG and Paul Pierce.

Celtics hold off Lakers, lead finals 2-0 (AP)

Banner No. 17 is halfway to the rafters. The Celtics are two wins from another NBA championship. And maybe a little lucky to be there. Paul Pierce, darting around the parquet floor with ease, scored 28 points, Boston's defense mobbed Kobe Bryant long enough and unknown Leon Powe scored 21 points as the Celtics held off a remarkable Los Angeles rally for a 108-102 win over the Lakers on Sunday night.

Celtics' Pierce ready to go vs. Lakers in Game 2
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce is ready to go for Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

LIVE: Can Lakers even Finals?
Paul Pierce looks healthy. Kobe's heating up. The Celtics and Lakers are in a tight battle in Game 2 of the Finals. Follow it LIVE.

Celtics' Pierce OK for Game 2
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce is ready to go for Game 2 of the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Pierce took part in Sunday morning's shootaround at the team's practice facility and showed no ill-effects of the right knee sprain that sent him to the locker room in a wheelchair during Game 1. Pierce was wearing a white sleeve over his knee as he played pickup with Sam Cassell at the end of practice. Coach Doc Rivers says Pierce will be fine.

Pierce OK for Game 2
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce is ready to go for Game 2 of the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Pierce took part in Sunday morning's shootaround at the team's practice facility and showed no ill-effects of the right knee sprain that sent him to the locker room in a wheelchair during Game 1. Pierce was wearing a white sleeve over his knee as he played pickup with Sam Cassell at the end of practice. Coach Doc Rivers says Pierce will be fine.

Celtics need Pierce's knee to be OK
Paul Pierce's knee remains a mystery, but Jeff Goodman says it's added drama, intrigue and controversy to the NBA Finals.

Pierce will 'definitely' play Sunday (AP)
In the past two days, New England's most celebrated right knee -- and to this point, the focal point of the NBA finals -- has been encased in ice, undergone electrical stimulation therapy, even had lasers fired at it. Paul Pierce's knee has been primped, prodded and pampered like never before. It's not 100 percent, but it's good enough.

Celts' Pierce likely to play: 'That's all I want to do'
Celtics All-Star forward Paul Pierce says his injured right knee feels better, and he expects to play Sunday in Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Celtics forward Pierce says knee improved
Celtics All-Star forward Paul Pierce says his injured right knee feels better, and he expects to play Sunday in Game 2 of the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Pierce, who sprained his knee in the second half of Game 1 on Thursday night, doesn't plan to practice Saturday and will continue to ice the injury and get electrical stimulus treatments. Although the swelling is down, Pierce says there's still some stiffness, and he can't bend the knee as he would like.

Boston's bench gets better of Lakers
Paul Pierce was Boston's Game 1 hero, but Rajon Rondo also provided a lift. So did the Celtics' bench, Charley Rosen says.

Pierce: 'Great chance' to play despite injured knee
Paul Pierce does not have any structural damage to his knee.

At least that's what the Boston Celtics are saying, although they haven't performed an MRI.

Boston's bench gets better of Lakers in Game 1
Paul Pierce was Boston's Game 1 hero, but Rajon Rondo also provided a lift. So did the Celtics' bench, Charley Rosen says.

Pierce provides extra spark for Celtics
Was it a real injury? Or a bit of an acting job? Either way, Paul Pierce was the leading man in Boston's Game 1 win, Jeff Goodman says.

Pierce provides dramatic spark for Celtics
Was it a real injury? Or a bit of an acting job? Either way, Paul Pierce was the leading man in Boston's Game 1 win, Jeff Goodman says.

Pierce says 'great chance' he'll play in Game 2
Celtics star Paul Pierce says there's an excellent chance he'll play in Game 2 of the NBA finals Sunday despite an injured knee. Pierce said Friday his knee was stiff and swollen and he will not practice over the next two days to get treatment. The 10-year veteran described his injury as a sharp pain. He plans to put off an MRI until after the season. Pierce was carried from the floor by teammates and carted to the locker room in a wheelchair in the third quarter Thursday night.

Celts' Pierce expects to play in Game 2 (AP)
Paul Pierce, whose dramatic return from a knee injury lifted Boston to a win in over Los Angeles in the opener of the NBA finals, said Friday there's a "great chance" he'll play in Game 2 on Sunday. Pierce was carried from the floor by teammates and carted to the locker room in a wheelchair in the third quarter Thursday night.

Pierce's return lifts Celtics by Lakers (AP)

Big moments have defined the Lakers-Celtics blood feud, and in their first get together in 21 years, a kid from Los Angeles gave Boston one to remember. Paul Pierce, who used to sneak into Lakers games as a youngster, came bounding out of the tunnel from the locker room after leaving with an injured knee and led the Celtics to a tense 98-88 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday night in Game 1 of...

Celtics' Big 3 playing as 1 for title (AP)
Three stars. One basketball. Zero complaints. Boston's Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are playing for a championship in their first year together, finding success in the kind of selflessness only losing can teach. Their scoring is down. Their minutes are down. But their spirits are up, because after a combined 2,774 career games, they're about to play their first in the NBA...

Pierce leads Celtics vs. hometown Lakers (AP)
Paul Pierce grew up in Los Angeles watching the Lakers play the Celtics for NBA titles. Now he's the captain of the Boston team that is back in the finals for the first time since losing to the Lakers in 1987. "As a kid, I hated the Celtics," Pierce said Friday night after Boston eliminated Detroit to advance to the NBA finals and a matchup with the Lakers.

Celtics back in NBA finals, oust Pistons (AP)

Boston got past an old nemesis to set up a matchup with another rival. Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Ray Allen had 17 and Kevin Garnett added 16 to lift the Celtics to an 89-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Boston, which locked up with Detroit many times in the 1980s, will now rekindle another classic series in the NBA finals against...

Pistons end Celtics' home dominance (AP)

The Detroit Pistons proved that a visiting team can win in Boston. Now they can reach the NBA finals without having to do it again. Richard Hamilton bounced back from a poor series opener with 25 points, and the Pistons beat the Celtics 103-97 Thursday night, tying the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece and seizing the home-court advantage that has meant everything to the Celtics.

Celtics beat Pistons 88-79 in Game 1 (AP)
Not even a week of rest could prepare the Detroit Pistons for the hottest home team in the NBA. Kevin Garnett had 26 points and nine rebounds and Paul Pierce scored 22 points Tuesday night to lead Boston to an 88-79 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics' 15th straight home win.

Pierce, Celtics home free after epic Game 7
Paul Pierce's one-man show willed the Celtics past the Cavs in Game 7. Jeff Goodman says Boston's home edge was the difference.

Pierce's 41 helps Celtics to East finals (AP)

Paul Pierce returned home and made sure the Celtics would play there again. Boston's captain scored 41 points, hit two clinching free throws with 7.9 seconds left and led the team with the NBA's best regular season record to a 97-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday in Game 7 and a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.

Celtics seize control
Paul Pierce poured in 29 points as the Celtics captured Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Cavs, 96-89. Pierce talked about the win, which gave Boston a 3-2 series lead.

Celts still winless on road in playoffs (AP)
Kevin Garnett stutter-stepped as he reached a potential right turn down a seemingly endless hallway early Sunday morning. After losing Game 3, he and Boston teammate Paul Pierce were on their way to a media interview room proving difficult to find. "Where's it at?" Garnett growled. That's the Celtics, searching for directions on the NBA's playoff highway.

Celtics go up 2-0, James struggles again (AP)

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen found their shooting touch. LeBron James can only hope he left his in Cleveland. Pierce scored 19 points, Kevin Garnett added 13 with 12 rebounds, and Allen broke out of a seven-quarter scoring drought with 16 points to help the Boston Celtics beat the Cavaliers 89-73 on Thursday night and take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Cavaliers' Wallace leaves Game 2 with dizziness
Cleveland forward Ben Wallace left Thursday night's playoff game against Boston in the first quarter, complaining of dizziness, and Boston's Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce were also banged up in the first half.

LeBron says he'll be better in Game 2 (AP)
LeBron James says he won't miss baskets like he did in the series opener between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. Neither, James believes, will Paul Pierce or Ray Allen. James missed all but two of his 18 shots from the field Tuesday night in Cleveland's 76-72 loss, including a layup that would have tied it with 9 seconds remaining.

LeBron set to face Celtics' Big 3 in 2nd round
It's LeBron vs. the Leprechaun. For the first time in his pro career, LeBron James will go one on one in the postseason with basketball's most storied franchise - the Boston Celtics - who haven't won an NBA title since 1986, when he was a 2-year-old toddler dribbling only his food. But Cleveland's 23-year-old megastar is well aware of the Celtics' championship cache and Boston's Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.

Celtics pound Hawks 99-65 in Game 7 (AP)

Kevin Garnett took a behind-the-back pass from Paul Pierce, slammed in the dunk to give Boston a 36-point, third-quarter lead and then slashed his hand across his throat to signal what the Atlanta Hawks already knew. "It's over," he said. The game. The series. The surprising little scare Atlanta put into the NBA's best.

Hawks force decisive Game 7 vs. Celtics (AP)

The Atlanta Hawks just won't let go of their first trip to the postseason in nine years. The playoff team with the worst record did it again to the team with the best mark, forcing an improbable Game 7 with the Boston Celtics, as Joe Johnson hit a crucial 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining and the Hawks held on for a 103-100 victory Friday night.

Celtics go up 3-2 on Hawks, win 110-85 (AP)

Takedowns and menacing gestures. Double technicals and flagrant fouls. And the Boston Celtics are heading to Atlanta to try to deliver the knockout punch. Paul Pierce scored a playoff-high 22 points, and Ray Allen turned back the final Hawks' charge with three 3-pointers in a three-minute span of the third quarter on Wednesday night to help Boston beat Atlanta 110-85 and take a 3-2 lead in the...

Pierce denies 'menacing gesture' was gang symbol
Celtics forward Paul Pierce, fined $25,000 for what the NBA called a "menacing gesture" during Game 3 of Boston's playoff series against Atlanta, denied that the sign was gang-related.

Pierce denies gesture was gang-related (AP)
Celtics forward Paul Pierce, fined $25,000 for what the NBA called a "menacing gesture" during Game 3 of Boston's playoff series against Atlanta, denied that the sign was gang-related. "I 100 percent do not in any way promote gang violence or anything close to it," Pierce said in a statement issued Wednesday before Game 5 of the series.

Celtics' Pierce, Wizards' Stevenson fined by league
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Washington Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson were each fined $25,000 by the NBA for making "menacing gestures" in playoff games this weekend.

Pierce, Stevenson each fined $25,000 (AP)
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Washington Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson were each fined $25,000 by the NBA for making "menacing gestures" in playoff games this weekend. Pierce was sanctioned for flashing a hand gesture toward Al Horford and attempting to stare him down in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 102-93 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

Horford, young Hawks confident vs. Celts (AP)
Al Horford got right in Paul Pierce's face, then hopped away to the Hawks bench. The Boston star wasn't too thrilled with the rookie's bravado. Pierce flashed a hand gesture toward Horford and attempted to stare him down. Did Horford back off? Hardly. The Atlanta center thumped his chest and yelled back at Pierce, who was finally dragged back to the Celtics bench.

Smith leads Hawks to Game 3 win (AP)
Al Horford got right in Paul Pierce's face, then hopped away to the Hawks bench. The Boston star wasn't too thrilled with the rookie's bravado. Pierce flashed a hand gesture toward Horford and attempted to stare him down. Did Horford back off? Hardly. The Atlanta center thumped his chest and yelled back at Pierce, who was finally dragged back to the Celtics bench.

Celtics' Pierce to play after body-slam (AP)
Boston Celtics swingman Paul Pierce is ready for Game 3 of the playoffs series against Atlanta, despite being body-slammed to the floor in their last win. Pierce had no problems in practice Friday before the Celtics headed to Atlanta for Saturday's game. Coach Doc River says the training staff placed no restrictions on Pierce, who the team says injured his back before returning later in the first...

Celtics' Pierce says he's OK for Game 3 vs. Hawks
Boston Celtics swingman Paul Pierce is ready for Game 3 of the playoffs series against Atlanta, despite being body-slammed to the floor in their last win.

Celts' Pierce OK for Game 3 after hard hit
Boston Celtics swingman Paul Pierce is ready for Game 3 of the playoffs series against Atlanta, despite being body-slammed to the floor in their last win. Pierce had no problems in practice Friday before the Celtics headed to Atlanta for Saturday's game. Coach Doc River says the training staff placed no restrictions on Pierce, who the team says injured his back before returning later in the first half of Wednesday's 96-77 victory over the Hawks.

Celtics-Hawks face off in Eastern playoffs
Paul Pierce and the Celtics' Big Three are the last to taste the postseason as they host the Hawks in Boston for Game 1 (LIVE).

Garnett misses 2nd practice prior to playoffs
The Boston Celtics weren't concerned when Kevin Garnett missed his second straight practice for family reasons on Friday. They know he'll suit up when it counts, in their playoff opener against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. "Even though he's away, he's tuned in to what we're doing," Paul Pierce said. "We're not worried because we know he'll be fine when he gets back.

With Big 3 resting, Celtics beat Knicks (AP)

With his three All-Star teammates resting, Rajon Rondo had 23 points and 10 rebounds, leading the Boston Celtics to a 99-93 victory over the New York Knicks on Monday night in what may have been Isiah Thomas' final home game as Knicks coach. Boston improved to 65-16 despite giving Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen the night off.

Celts' Big Three takes night off, sits out vs. Knicks
The Boston Celtics gave their Big Three a night off Monday, with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen all sitting out against the New York Knicks.

Celtics' Big 3 sit out against Knicks (AP)
The Boston Celtics gave their Big Three a night off Monday, with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen all sitting out against the New York Knicks. Reserve guard Eddie House (strained right adductor) also skipped the Celtics' last road game of the season. Boston has long since wrapped up the NBA's best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, but coach Doc Rivers let his starters...

Jamison's 27 lead Wizards over Celtics (AP)

Antawn Jamison returned from a shoulder injury to score 27 points, including a highlight, baseline dunk over Kevin Garnett, and the Washington Wizards beat the Boston Celtics 109-95 Wednesday night to win the season series over the league's top team. Jamison, who sat out two games with a sprained right shoulder, left no doubt that he was again full throttle by making 8 of 17 field goals, grabbing...

Rivers plans to play Big 3
After sitting out the Celtics' victory at Charlotte on Saturday, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce lobbied coach Doc Rivers to play in Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

Garnett, Allen, Pierce return for Celts (AP)
The Big Three are back. After sitting out the Boston Celtics' victory at Charlotte on Saturday, stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce lobbied coach Doc Rivers to play in Milwaukee on Tuesday night. Rivers relented, and planned to play his stars about 20 minutes each as the Celtics continued to rest up for the playoffs.

Celtics give Big Three a rest for game vs. Bobcats
The Big Three are getting a rest. With the Celtics all but assured of securing the best record in the NBA, coach Doc Rivers has decided to rest stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.

Celtics' Big Three sit out vs. Bobcats (AP)
The Big Three are getting a rest. With the Boston Celtics all but assured of securing the best record in the NBA, coach Doc Rivers has decided to rest stars Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. None were scheduled to play Saturday night in Charlotte, even though a win would secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Celtics have bigger goal than turnaround (AP)
For Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics, their tremendous turnaround is not enough. With 36 more wins than last season, the Celtics are tied with the 1997-98 Spurs for the most single-season progress in NBA history. San Antonio, though, only made it to the second round of the playoffs. Boston has a bigger goal -- winning its first NBA title in 22 years.

Celtics tie record for best turnaround (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics tied the NBA record for the best single-season turnaround with a 92-77 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. With the league's best record at 60-15, the Celtics have 36 more wins than last season when they finished 24-58, the NBA's second worst mark.

Celtics close in on top seed, beat Bulls (AP)

Ray Allen scored 22 points and the Boston Celtics moved a step closer to the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 106-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. Kevin Garnett scored 20 points and blocked four shots and Paul Pierce added 17 points for Boston, which won its fourth straight and remained six games ahead of Detroit in the conference standings.

Celtics end Hornets' 5-game win streak (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 27 points, Kevin Garnett added 21, and the Boston Celtics moved closer to wrapping up the top record overall by avenging last weekend's loss in New Orleans with a 112-92 win over the Hornets on Friday night. Eastern-conference leading Boston (57-15) opened its advantage to six games over the idle Detroit Pistons with 10 games left.

Garnett's 30 lift Celtics over Suns (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 30 points, sinking the final two to an "M-V-P!" chant echoing through the new Boston Garden, and Paul Pierce had 12 of his 27 in the fourth quarter to lead the Celtics to a 117-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night. Kendrick Perkins had 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Ray Allen had 14 points and eight assists for Boston, which snapped a two-game losing streak.

Iguodala keys late run, 76ers beat Celts (AP)

Andre Iguodala scored 28 points, including 10 in a row during a 19-0 fourth-quarter run Monday night, as the Philadelphia 76ers rallied from an 11-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 95-90. Eddie House's 3-pointer gave Boston an 80-69 lead with 8:20 to play, but the Celtics couldn't score until Paul Pierce hit one of two free throws with 1:38 left.

Allen helps Celts complete Texas sweep (AP)

Ray Allen returned from a three-game injury absence and a long time on the bench in the fourth quarter to nail a go-ahead 3-pointer with 31.7 seconds left, lifting the Boston Celtics past the Dallas Mavericks 94-90 Thursday night. The Celtics completed an impressive sweep in the Lone Star State, becoming the first team to go 3-0 in San Antonio, Houston and Dallas since the Sacramento Kings in...

Celtics snap Rockets' win streak at 22 (AP)

The shots stopped falling, Boston's stars took over and just like that, the Houston Rockets' 22-game winning streak was history. Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and Paul Pierce added 20 as the Celtics beat the Rockets 94-74 on Tuesday night, stopping Houston's remarkable victory run. The Rockets hadn't lost since a 97-89 defeat to Utah on Jan.

Pierce, KG lift Celtics by Spurs 93-91 (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 22 points, Kevin Garnett added 21 and the Boston Celtics rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 93-91 on Monday night. Rajon Rondo added 20 points for the Celtics, who were still without Ray Allen, who missed his second straight game with a jammed left ankle. Sam Cassell had 17 points.

Jazz end Celtics' 10-game win streak (AP)

The Utah Jazz admitted that they were looking forward to playing the top team in the NBA. And no one more than Deron Williams. The Jazz guard scored 32 points -- 13 of them in the fourth quarter and seven during a 10-0 run when Utah turned back Boston's last chance to win 110-92 on Friday night and snap the Celtics' 10-game winning streak.

Celts pound Sonics for 10th straight win (AP)

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen each scored 18 points to lift the Boston Celtics to their 10th straight victory, 111-82 over the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night. Paul Pierce added 14 points and 11 assists for Boston, which improved to 12-0 at home against the Western Conference. Kevin Durant scored 16 points for Seattle, which dropped its sixth straight and has lost 10 of 11.

Garnett leads Celtics to 50th win (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 12 rebounds to help the Boston Celtics reach 50 victories for the first time in 16 years by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 100-86 on Monday night. Ray Allen scored 21 points and Paul Pierce had 17 in another stellar outing for The Big Three as they helped Boston celebrate the Big 5-0.

Celtics cruise to eighth straight win (AP)

Ray Allen scored 23 points and Paul Pierce added 19 to lead the Boston Celtics to a 119-89 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday night. Boston, which won its eighth straight, built an early lead on effective shooting and stout pressure defense. Memphis never got the margin under double digits after the 5-minute mark of the first quarter, dropping to 2-16 in its last 18 games.

Celtics coast to seventh straight win (AP)

The Boston Celtics acquired P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell for crunch time. For now, they'll get their work in garbage time. Paul Pierce scored 22 points and Kevin Garnett added 16 and eight rebounds before the Celtics starters sat out the fourth quarter on Friday night in a 116-93 victory over the Chicago Bulls, Boston's seventh consecutive win.

Big Three lead Celts to fifth straight (AP)

The abdominal strain that sidelined Kevin Garnett for nine games at midseason was probably the best chance for the rest of the NBA to catch the Celtics. Now Garnett's back, and playing as well as he did before his injury. "He's all the way back," Boston forward Paul Pierce said Sunday night after Garnett had his best game since returning, scoring 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to lead the...

Celts rally from 17 down, defeat Blazers (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 30 points and the Boston Celtics rebounded from a slow start to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 112-102 and snap a three-game losing streak. The Celtics trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half, but gained control in the second when the Blazers struggled without guard Brandon Roy.

Davis' late jumper lifts Warriors to win (AP)

From the Celtics' Big Three to the last three fans in the standing-room-only crowd, everybody knows what's coming when the Golden State Warriors need a last-second basket. Baron Davis keeps delivering anyway -- and his latest theatrics brought down the curtain on the NBA leaders. Davis hit a 20-foot jumper with 0.3 seconds to play, and the Warriors beat Boston 119-117 on Wednesday night to send the...

New All-Star Ray Allen keys Celtics' win (AP)
Paul Pierce scored 24 points, and his newly minted All-Star teammate Ray Allen added 21 to help the Boston Celtics beat the New York Knicks 111-103 on Wednesday night and head into the break with a five-game winning streak. Leon Powe and Rajon Rondo had 18 points apiece, and sub James Posey had 11 rebounds for Boston.

Ray Allen replaces injured Butler in All-Star game
Ray Allen was added to the Eastern Conference All-Star roster by commissioner David Stern on Wednesday, replacing injured Washington forward Caron Butler. Allen's eighth All-Star selection means the NBA-leading Boston Celtics will again have two players in Sunday's game in New Orleans. Kevin Garnett was the top vote-getter in fan balloting, but had to pull out because of an abdominal strain. Celtics forward Paul Pierce is going as a reserve. The East will be coached by Boston's Doc Rivers.

Pierce leads Celts to fourth straight (AP)
Paul Pierce had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and the short-handed Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 104-97 Tuesday night to win their fourth straight game. Ray Allen scored 23 and Leon Powe added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics (40-9), who were playing without injured starters Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins.

Pierce's 35 key Celtics' win over Spurs (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 35 points, Ray Allen had 19, and Rajon Rondo had 12 assists and 11 rebounds Sunday as the Boston Celtics beat the San Antonio Spurs 98-90. The Celtics improved to 5-2 since Kevin Garnett went out with an abdominal strain, and they'd better get used to it: Coach Doc Rivers said before the game that he isn't expecting his big man back before next weekend's All-Star break.

Rondo stars for Celts in KG's absence (AP)

Kevin Garnett was out for the fifth straight game. Paul Pierce was recovering from the flu. And the rest of the Boston Celtics' starters just needed a little breather one day after an overtime loss and a late-night flight back home. "I was really trying to squeeze the game out of the bench today," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday night after the Boston subs played most of the fourth quarter...

James helps Cavs hold off Celts 114-113 (AP)

LeBron James scored 33 points and barely missed a triple-double as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Boston for the second time this season, downing the Celtics 114-113 on Tuesday night. James added 12 assists, nine rebounds and five steals to pace the Cavaliers, who improved to 15-4 since Dec. 25 and handed the NBA's best road team just its fifth loss away from home.

Rondo picks up slack for KG-less Celtics (AP)

Point guard Rajon Rondo had a season-high 12 rebounds, following one of them with a putback layup with 42 seconds left to give the Celtics the lead, and Boston held on to beat the Dallas Mavericks 96-90 on Thursday night. Playing without Kevin Garnett for the third straight game, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen scored 26 points apiece to help the Celtics remain unbeaten against the Western Conference.

Paul, West earn first All-Star selections
Chris Paul and David West were picked for their first All-Star game Thursday night, giving the hometown Hornets a pair of players for the event New Orleans will host next month. Detroit, Phoenix and Washington also had multiple players chosen as reserves for the Feb. 17 game. Boston will only send two of its Big Three to the Big Easy. Paul Pierce was voted in by Eastern Conference head coaches to join starter Kevin Garnett, but Ray Allen fell short.

NBA Tip-Off: KG vs Dirk
Did Dirk's Mavs catch the C's at the right time -- without a healthy KG. And can Paul Pierce compensate? Marques Johnson looks.

Celtics' other 'Big 3' rout Heat 117-87 (AP)

Ray Allen arrived at halftime, a white sweat jacket over his flu-riddled head, and took a glimpse toward the scoreboard. He probably felt much better. Boston's 'Big 3' were almost silent, and the Celtics still put a big beating on the hapless Miami Heat. Leon Powe scored a career-high 25 points, Rajon Rondo tied a career-high with 23 points and Tony Allen matched a season-best with 20 points as the...

Magic's Turkoglu beats buzzer, Celtics (AP)

Hedo Turkoglu nailed an off-balance 3-pointer with time expiring to lift the Orlando Magic to a 96-93 victory over the Kevin Garnett-less Boston Celtics on Sunday. It was Orlando's second home win over Boston this season, and the Celtics' first game without Garnett, who has an abdominal strain. Dwight Howard had 18 points and 16 rebounds for Orlando, and Rashard Lewis scored 15.

Garnett helps Celtics rout Knicks again (AP)
Kevin Garnett had 20 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics routed the New York Knicks for the second time this season, 109-93 Monday. Kendrick Perkins scored 22 of his career-high 24 points in the first half for the Celtics, who shook off the loss of leading scorer Paul Pierce, ejected along with New York's Quentin Richardson late in the third quarter after both picked up...

Pierce, Allen lead Celtics over Sixers (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 14 of his 22 points in the third quarter to help Boston take the lead, and Ray Allen scored 10 of his 23 in the fourth when the Celtics pulled away to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-89 on Friday night. Kevin Garnett had 11 points, eight assists and six rebounds in Boston's second consecutive victory since their only losing streak of the season: a two-game skid -- and three...

Allen's 35 lift Celtics over Blazers (AP)

Ray Allen scored a season-high 35 points, Kevin Garnett had 26 and the Boston Celtics rebounded from their first consecutive losses of the season with a 100-90 win over Portland on Wednesday night. The Atlantic Division-leading Celtics, who had lost three of their last four games and two straight at home, also got 12 points from Paul Pierce and 10 from Eddie House.

Celts match best-ever start at 30-4 (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Paul Pierce added 18 points and the Boston Celtics beat the New Jersey Nets 86-77 on Friday night for their 30th win of the season. Ray Allen scored 16 points as Boston (30-4) matched the 1959-60 champion Celtics for the best start in franchise history. Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 17 points, Vince Carter had 16 and Josh Boone added 14 and a...

'Other' Allen helps Celts down Grizzlies (AP)

Reserve Tony Allen filled in when Ray Allen struggled, scoring a season-high 20 points to help the Boston Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies 100-96 on Friday night while his more celebrated namesake was scoreless into the last 10 seconds of the game. Tony Allen scored 15 in the second quarter to help Boston take the lead for good, Paul Pierce scored 23 with 10 rebounds and Kevin Garnett also had...

Garnett leads Celtics over Rockets 97-93 (AP)

Kevin Garnett scored 11 of his 26 points in the last seven minutes on Wednesday night, adding nine rebounds to help the Boston Celtics beat the Houston Rockets 97-93 and earn their seventh consecutive victory. Paul Pierce scored 19 points and assisted on four key baskets down the stretch as the Celtics improved to 27-3 to match the best 30-game start in the shot-clock era.

Celtics keep rolling, beat Lakers 110-91 (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 33 points and Kevin Garnett had 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists Sunday night to lead the Boston Celtics to a 110-91 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Boston took the lead in the first quarter and never relinquished it. Each time the Lakers threatened, the Celtics would pull away again.

Pierce lifts Celtics over Jazz 104-98 (AP)

Paul Pierce hit a tiebreaking layup with 28 seconds left, then sealed Boston's fifth straight victory with a defensive rebound and two free throws as the Celtics beat the Utah Jazz 104-98 Saturday night. Pierce was shut out in the first half, then took over the scoring in the final two periods. He had 10 points in the third and another 14 in the fourth to lead Boston to its 14th win in the last 15...

Pierce scores 37, Celtics top Sonics (AP)

Forget those two new guys who gave Boston its Big Three. Paul Pierce can still carry the Celtics just like the past. While most of the attention focused on Ray Allen's return to Seattle, it was Pierce who took over for Boston. Pierce scored 26 of his season-high 37 points in the second half, and the Celtics held off the pesky SuperSonics 104-96 on Thursday night.

Celts end 11-year drought in Sacramento (AP)

One dominating stretch in the second quarter turned out to be enough to carry the Boston Celtics to a win in their first West Coast game this season. Coach Doc Rivers knows his team will need to play more complete games to beat some of the elite Western Conference teams on the road. Paul Pierce scored 14 of his 16 points during a 33-5 second-quarter run that led the Celtics to their first win in...

Garnett leads James in All-Star voting (AP)
Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics are off to a fast start, and fans are taking notice. Garnett was the leading vote-getter for the 2008 NBA All-Star game with 1,186,690 votes when the second set of returns were released Thursday. Celtics forward Paul Pierce and guard Ray Allen were fourth at their positions in the Eastern Conference.

Pierce leads Celtics over Magic 103-91 (AP)

Paul Pierce had 24 points to lead balanced scoring from the Celtics' starters, and Boston raced to a 103-91 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday night. Rajon Rondo added 23 points and Ray Allen 22 for the Celtics (22-3), who have the best record in the NBA and avenged an earlier loss to the Magic.

Celtics bounce back, rout Bulls 107-82 (AP)

The Boston Celtics have only lost one home game this season, and that was plenty for Kevin Garnett. "What you saw tonight was what we call 'stopping the bleeding,"' he said after the Celtics beat Chicago 107-82 on Friday to stop their losing before it became a streak. "When we lose, we want it to be very, very, very, very few, and we want to learn from what mistakes we made in the loss and apply it...

Celtics' win streak reaches 9 games (AP)
Paul Pierce scored 18 points, Kevin Garnett had 16 and the Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to nine games by beating the Toronto Raptors 90-77 Sunday. Rajon Rondo had 14, Eddie House came off the bench to score 11 and Tony Allen had 10. Atlantic Division-leading Boston (20-2) matched its longest winning streak since March 16-31, 1993.

Celts rout Bucks without Ray Allen (AP)

Paul Pierce scored a season-high 32 points and Kevin Garnett had an easy 15 with seven rebounds on Friday night as the Boston Celtics overcame Ray Allen's absence to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 104-82 and match the franchise record with a 12-0 start at home. With Allen sitting out a game or two to rest a sore ankle, Tony Allen started and scored 11 with four steals while holding Michael Redd to seven...

Celts G Ray Allen out with ankle injury (AP)
Celtics guard Ray Allen was not expected to play in Friday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks because of a sore right ankle -- the first time any of Boston's new Big Three has been out of the starting lineup. Allen was injured against Charlotte on Nov. 24 but had started all 20 games this season, along with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Dime: Celtics still rolling
Paul Pierce knocked down 26 against the Kings as the Celtics improved to 18-2. Dime notes that Sacramento was short-handed.

Celtics win, improve to 10-0 at home (AP)

The Boston Celtics are tearing apart teams at home like the days when Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish roamed the fabled parquet. Kevin Garnett scored 23 points and the Celtics improved to 10-0 at home with a 112-84 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday night. Paul Pierce had 18 points and Ray Allen 13 for Boston (16-2), which is off to the NBA's best start and its best home mark since...

Pierce, Garnett lead Celtics by Sixers (AP)

The Boston Celtics hung on against a feisty Philadelphia team thanks to their Big Three -- and a couple of big 3s, too. Eddie House and James Posey delivered decisive 3-pointers to help the usual, strong efforts of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen hold up for a 113-103 win over the 76ers on Wednesday night.

Celtics knock off Heat, improve to 13-2 (AP)

For the second time in two weeks, the Miami Heat got into significant trouble against the Boston Celtics. Not a good idea against the NBA's hottest team. Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 27 points in the first quarter, Kevin Garnett added 23 and the Celtics wasted most of a 28-point lead before beating the Heat 95-85 on Friday night.

Celts top Bobcats on Allen's 3 at buzzer (AP)

Ray Allen made a 3-pointer at the buzzer after Eddie House knocked away Jason Richardson's inbounds pass with 4.7 seconds left to give the Boston Celtics a 96-95 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night. Allen had missed 11 of his previous 14 shots in a flat performance for the Celtics, yet hit nothing but net on the jumper from the left wing, setting off a wild celebration for the...

KG's double-double gets Celts by Lakers (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the new Big Three in its first game against the rival Lakers, and Paul Pierce added 20 points and nine assists to help the Boston Celtics beat Los Angeles 107-94 on Friday night. Kobe Bryant scored 28 points for Los Angeles, which got no help from having California Gov.

Celtics roll to sixth straight home win (AP)

Ray Allen scored 21 points, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett both had double-doubles, and the Boston Celtics beat the Golden State Warriors 105-82 Wednesday night for their sixth straight home victory. Boston improved to 9-1 overall and has won its six home games by an average of 22 points. Garnett had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Pierce added 19 points and 10 boards.

Magic hand Celtics first loss, 104-102 (AP)

The Boston Celtics are beatable, after all. Dwight Howard scored 24 points, Rashard Lewis added 22 and the Orlando Magic dealt the Celtics their first loss of the season, 104-102 on Sunday night. Paul Pierce missed an off-balance jumper with time running out that could have forced overtime. Pierce finished with 28 points.

Celtics overcome Heat to go 8-0
The Boston Celtics overcame a very imperfect fourth quarter to keep their perfect season going. Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 11 rebounds, Paul Pierce made the go-ahead layup with 25 seconds left after Boston blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, and the Celtics beat the Miami Heat 92-91 on Friday night to improve their record to 8-0.

Celtics improve to 8-0, beat Heat 92-91 (AP)

The Boston Celtics overcame a very imperfect fourth quarter to keep their perfect season going. Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 11 rebounds, Paul Pierce made the go-ahead layup with 25 seconds left after Boston blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead, and the Celtics beat the Miami Heat 92-91 on Friday night to improve their record to 8-0.

Celtics improve to 6-0, beat Pacers (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 31 points, and the Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 101-86 on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten. Pierce made 14 of 14 free throws and had 11 rebounds. Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 11 rebounds, his sixth double-double in six games, as Boston (6-0) matched its best start since the 1987-88 season.

Celtics off to best start in twenty years
Paul Pierce scored 31 points, and the Boston Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 101-86 on Tuesday night to remain unbeaten. Pierce made 14 of 14 free throws and had 11 rebounds. Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 11 rebounds, his sixth double-double in six games, as Boston (6-0) matched its best start since the 1987-88 season. Boston still is chasing its best start, 14 straight wins to begin the 1957-58 season.

Carter out indefinitely with sprained ankle
Vince Carter of the New Jersey Nets will be sidelined indefinitely with a sprained right ankle. An MRI on Monday revealed Carter sustained a Grade 1 sprain on Saturday night against the Boston Celtics, Nets president Rod Thorn said Monday. There is no timetable for Carter's return. The Nets played the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night. The eight-time All-Star was hurt in the third quarter of a 112-101 loss to Boston. He landed on the foot of Celtics forward Paul Pierce after a dunk.

Carter sprained ankle Saturday vs. Celtics
Vince Carter was listed as doubtful for the New Jersey Nets' game against the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night because of a badly sprained right ankle. The eight-time All-Star was hurt on Saturday night in the third quarter of a 112-101 loss to Boston. He landed on the foot of Celtics forward Paul Pierce after a dunk. Carter, who left the IZOD Center wearing a walking cast, had treatment on Sunday, Nets spokesman Aaron Harris said.

Nets' Carter doubtful for Monday's game (AP)
Vince Carter was listed as doubtful for the New Jersey Nets' game against the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night because of a badly sprained right ankle. The eight-time All-Star was hurt on Saturday night in the third quarter of a 112-101 loss to Boston. He landed on the foot of Celtics forward Paul Pierce after a dunk.

Carter sprains right ankle against Celtics
Eight-time All Star guard Vince Carter sprained his right ankle late in the third quarter of the New Jersey Nets' game against the Boston Celtics on Saturday. Carter drove the lane for a big slam dunk with 1:23 to play. His left foot came down but his right foot rolled after landing on the foot of Celtics forward Paul Pierce. Carter lay on the court for a couple of minutes before slowing going straight to the Nets locker room. He had X-rays and was not expected to return.

Celtics off to best start in 20 years
Kevin Garnett had 27 points and 19 rebounds, Paul Pierce scored 23 and the Boston Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 106-83 Friday night, their third blowout win of a season in which they're off to their best start in 20 years. The Celtics took the lead for good midway through the second quarter, stretched it to 17 points early in the third and led by between 8 and 23 the rest of the way.

Celts win, off to best start in 20 years (AP)

Kevin Garnett had 27 points and 19 rebounds, Paul Pierce scored 23 and the Boston Celtics beat the Atlanta Hawks 106-83 Friday night, their third blowout win of a season in which they're off to their best start in 20 years. The Celtics took the lead for good midway through the second quarter, stretched it to 17 points early in the third and led by between 8 and 23 the rest of the way.

Unbeaten Celtics rout Nuggets 119-92 (AP)

Hard to believe, but Boston's newest Big Three thinks it can play even better. Paul Pierce scored 26 points, Kevin Garnett added 23 points and 13 rebounds, and the Celtics shot 72 percent during an overpowering first half en route to a 119-92 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. "We are just scratching the surface on what we can do," Pierce said.

Celtics pound Nuggets in Boston
The Celtics' Big Three of KG, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen provided a preview of what's to come with a dismantling of the Nuggets.

Garnett shines in Celtics debut
Kevin Garnett's dazzling debut with the Celtics gave their fans and long-suffering Paul Pierce plenty to celebrate. Garnett had 22 points, 20 rebounds and five assists, Pierce scored 28 points and sparked Boston's take-charge rally in the first half, and the Celtics opened their promising season with a 103-83 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

New-look Celts open with rout of Wizards (AP)

Kevin Garnett's dazzling debut with the Celtics gave their fans and long-suffering Paul Pierce plenty to celebrate. Garnett had 22 points, 20 rebounds and five assists, Pierce scored 28 points and sparked Boston's take-charge rally in the first half, and the Celtics opened their promising season with a 103-83 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.

Celtics exercise option 2008-09 on Rondo
The Boston Celtics have exercised their contract option on starting point guard Rajon Rondo for the 2008-09 season. The team is counting on the second-year pro to play that position in a lineup with stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Last season, the 6-foot-1 Rondo started 25 of the 78 games he played and averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 assists. He entered the 2005 draft after two seasons at Kentucky.

Celtics exercise option on PG Rondo (AP)
The Boston Celtics have exercised their contract option on starting point guard Rajon Rondo for the 2008-09 season. The team is counting on the second-year pro to play that position in a lineup with stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Last season, the 6-foot-1 Rondo started 25 of the 78 games he played and averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 assists.

ESPN The Magazine: A Fresh Coat
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have everyone's attention these days. Especially each other's, writes Chris Broussard.

KG has triple-double in Celtics' win (AP)

Kevin Garnett made a statement against LeBron James and the defending Eastern Conference champions. Garnett had 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 114-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the teams' final preseason game on Friday night. Ray Allen scored 20 points and Paul Pierce 12 in a game that was more intense than most preseason contests.

KG leads Celtics past Cavaliers in Boston
Kevin Garnett had 21 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 114-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the teams' final preseason game on Friday night. Ray Allen scored 20 points and Paul Pierce 12. Allen hit a pair of 3-pointers during a 15-5 run to close the third quarter, turning a close game into a blowout. Boston led 86-73 after three.

KG, Pierce sit as Boston falls to Philly
With Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett dressed in suits on the bench, the Boston Celtics lost for the first time in four preseason games 96-78 to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night. Jason Smith had 16 points, while Andre Iguodala, Rodney Carney and Willie Green added 14 to lead the 76ers (1-4) in the game played at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Ray Allen, a former Connecticut standout, scored 16 points for the Celtics (3-1) and James Posey added 12 points.

NBA Preview: Atlantic Division
With KG, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, the Celtics look great. But Marques Johnson says the key for Boston will be PG Rajon Rondo.

Garnett 'more than excited' in debut win
Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen made their Boston debuts, and holdover Paul Pierce scored 22 points to lead the Celtics to a 101-61 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Brought in to revive the sagging Celtics after their second consecutive playoff absence, Garnett had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Allen scored 14 points before sitting out the fourth quarter. The New Big Three had seven points apiece in the first quarter as Boston opened a double-digit lead.

Celtics rip Knicks by 40 in home debut (AP)

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen made their Boston debuts, and holdover Paul Pierce scored 22 points to lead the Celtics to a 101-61 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. Brought in to revive the sagging Celtics after their second consecutive playoff absence, Garnett had 13 points and eight rebounds, and Allen scored 14 points before sitting out the fourth quarter.

Garnett posts double-double in Celts debut
Kevin Garnett had 19 points and 16 rebounds in his Celtics debut, and Boston ruined Andrea Bargnani's homecoming with an 89-85 preseason victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. Paul Pierce added 21 points for Boston, while Ray Allen had an off night with only 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. The start of the NBA Europe Live tour marked the Celtics' first game since Garnett and Allen joined the team, creating a "Big 3" with Boston veteran Pierce.

Paul Pierce, G/F - BOS
Celtics debut 'Bald Five' Visit Rotoworld.com for more analysis on this update.