Sports of Boston » Celtics

Celtics Tie Franchise Low for Points in a Half, Fall to Pacers

Nathan — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 07:18:11 +0000

The Indiana Pacers had six players score in double figures to combat Ray Allen’s 23 points as the Pacers beat the Boston Celtics 87-74 Friday night. The Celtics scored a mere 25 points in the first half to tie a franchise low for points in a half.

The Celtics tied the 25-point low that was scored in 3 other games in franchise history: February 7th, 1955 against Milwaukee; February 8th, 1995 against Cleveland and March 18th, 1999 again against Milwaukee.

Boston shot 26 percent from the field and got out rebounded by the Pacers 30-18 in the first half of Friday’s contest. Paul Pierce tried to be the aggressor and get the team in a groove early, but he completed only 1 of his 9 attempts in the half. Pierce shot horribly for the duration of the game and finished with 10 points on a dismal 3-of-17 from the field.

As a team, the Celtics shot under 40 percent from the field. The Pacers on the other hand, caught fire from beyond the arc. Indiana shot 57 percent from 3-point range.

The Pacers were led by point guards Darren Collison and George Hill. Collison recorded 14 points and four assists, while Hill added 13 points, five rebounds and two steals. Danny Granger scored 15 and Roy Hibbert had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Tyler Hansbrough and Paul George were the other two Pacers’ players in double figures with 12 apiece.

The only bright spot for the Celtics was that Ray Allen continued his hot shooting. Allen hit 7 of 11 from the field and connected on 4 of 5 from 3. On the season, Allen is now shooting a near 70 percent from downtown.

The Pacers led 33-25 at intermission, with the Celtics only making nine field goals in the first half. At the nine-minute mark of the 3rd quarter, the Celtics went on a 7-o run to cut the Pacers lead to 2; that was the closest the Celtics would get for the rest of the contest.

Kevin Garnett scored 12 points and added six rebounds for the Celtics. Rajon Rondo had 11 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

The Celtics got very little from their bench on Friday, though, as the reserves combined for just 14 points.

The Celtics are off until Wednesday when they will face the defending NBA champs, the Dallas Mavericks.

Rondo’s Triple-Double, Garnett’s Tenacity Propel Celtics by Wizards

Nathan — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:30:49 +0000

Rajon Rondo recorded his first triple-double of the season as the Boston Celtics easily dispatched the Washington Wizards 94-86 Sunday evening in the nation’s capitol. The Celtics took the lead at 10:52 in the first quarter on a Paul Pierce 3 pointer and maintained a lead for the duration of the contest.

Rondo recorded 14 assists to go with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Rondo’s brilliance overshadowed a very good outing for Kevin Garnett who led the Celtics in scoring with 24 points. Garnett attained a season high not only in points but also in rebounds with 9. Ray Allen contributed 13 points.

The Washington Wizards, who are still looking for their first win of the season, were led by JaVale McGee and John Wall. Wall had 19 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds while McGee added 16 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks. Guard Nick Young chipped in 18 points.

The Celtics led by as many as 19 and led by at least 7 for the entirety of the second half. For the second straight game the Celtics held their opponent to less than 43% shooting.

Boston Celtics’ Team Captain, Paul Pierce, had a quiet 8 points on 2-8 shooting from the field in his second game back from a heel injury. Pierce added 6 rebounds in 28 minutes of action.

While Rondo was the star of the show, Garnett was the bright spot for the Celtics. The 16-year veteran forward displayed an agility and craftiness the Celtics had yet seen from him this season. The Celtics are going to need more performances like Sunday’s from Garnett if they are to return to the Eastern Conference elite after dropping their first three games.

Brandon Bass led a solid effort from the Celtics’ bench with 8 points and 4 rebounds. The Celtics’ bench continued its solid play by outscoring the Wizards backups 22-15. On the season the Celtics’ bench is averaging over 31 points a game.

The Celtics face off against the Wizards again Monday night at home in the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston.

Celtics Sign Mickael Pietrus to One-Year Deal

KC Downey — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:45:55 +0000

When Jeff Green went down for the season with an aortic aneurysm, he left a gaping hole on the wing for the Celtics. Then, Paul Pierce injured his heel. Uh oh…

Have no fear though, as Danny Ainge brought in veteran swingman Mickael Pietrus on Saturday, signing him to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum ($1.3 million) after he cleared waivers from Phoenix.

The 6’6″ Pietrus averaged 7.2 points in 57 games with the Magic and Suns last season.

“He would be a good addition for any team,” said Doc Rivers on Friday, before the C’s officially signed Pietrus. “He would be athletic, he would bring some toughness. He can guard 2′s and 3′s. He can stretch the floor. Whoever gets him, will be getting a heck of a player, if he’s healthy.”

Doc’s right: Pietrus, who began his career with the Warriors, is a sound defender that brings some veteran toughness. Offensively, Pietrus is a good three-point shooter and can also take the ball to the hole when necessary.

The 29-year-old has averaged 8.5 points per game over his 8-year career.

Celtics Kick Off Abbreviated Preseason With Close Win in Toronto

John — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:07:36 +0000

Boston Celtics basketball finally got underway Sunday in Toronto, with Boston narrowly coming out on top 76-75. The game featured Boston blowing another double-digit lead like they many times last season, but the Celtics just managed to hold off a potential buzzer beater to walk away with the victory. In fact, Toronto scored the first four points before Marquis Daniels made one free throw 2:27 in. Boston kept it close for the next few minutes before tying the game 4:44 in and taking the lead 36 seconds later. Boston took advantage of a Toronto 0/5-with-a-turnover scoreless stretch that lasted 4:00 to take a six-point lead, but Toronto closed the lead back to one by the end of the 1st Quarter.

After Toronto got a quick bucket 17 seconds into the next quarter, both teams had trouble, with neither team getting a point for the next 3:40, thanks to a dunk from the newly acquired Brandon Bass. After some back-and-forth, the Celtics managed to stretch their lead to 36-24 with 2:18 to go in the half, but Toronto finagled it back to 40-33 by halftime.

Toronto tried coming back with an early three in the 3rd Quarter, but another stretch of 4:03 without a field goal allowed Boston to get to a 10-point lead, which went back and forth between eight and ten with some trade-off baskets. Each team struggled from there, with both having a few streaks of around two minutes without baskets; by the time the buzzer sounded to signal 12 minutes to go, Boston was still up by 10, 61-51.

Boston extended their lead to 65-51, their biggest lead of the game, to start the quarter, though the possessions were labored and difficult to make productive. Toronto struggled too, but they slowly started to pass those struggles to Boston. The Celtics had even more trouble scoring, while Toronto stepped up their game. After a 5:46 stretch without a Celtics field goal, Boston gave away the lead, but E’Twaun Moore finally gave Boston a field goal to take the lead back, 72-71, with 1:51 remaining.

The teams traded a few leads after that point, and Toronto wound up with the final possession, down by one. Two last-second jump shots just wouldn’t fall, though, and Boston held on for the exciting win.

C’s Stud of the Game: Team Effort

Everybody chipped in during this contest. Rajon Rondo gave assists, Ray Allen gave points and threes, Jermaine O’Neal scored free throws, Kevin Garnett had rebounds, and even Marquis Daniels contributed 11 points, not to mention some decent bench minutes.

C’s Dud of the Game: Gilbert Brown

In 11:38 of scoreless court time, Brown was 0/3 and racked up a foul for his efforts.

Game Notes:

Scoring Leaders: Andrea Bargnani (TOR 16), DeMar DeRozan (TOR 14), Ray Allen (BOS 12)
Field Goal Leaders: Ed Davis (TOR 5/7), Marquis Daniels (BOS 5/7), DeMar DeRozan (TOR 5/10)
Three Point Leaders: DeMar DeRozan (TOR 2/2), Ray Allen (BOS 2/3), Andrea Bargnani (TOR 2/3)
Free Throw Leaders: Andrea Bargnani (TOR 6/7), Jermaine O’Neal (BOS 4/4), Avery Bradley (BOS 4/4)
Rebound Leaders: Ed Davis (TOR 10), Andrea Bargnani (TOR 9), Kevin Garnett (BOS 7)
Assist Leaders: Rajon Rondo (BOS 8), Jose Calderon (TOR 6), Gary Forbes (TOR 4)
Steal Leaders: Rajon Rondo (BOS 4), Brandon Bass (BOS 3), Leandro Barbosa (TOR 2), Jose Calderon (TOR 2)
Block Leaders: James Johnson (TOR 4), Jermaine O’Neal (BOS 2), Brandon Bass (BOS 2)
Foul-outs: none
Technical Fouls: none
Turnovers: TOR 21, BOS 16

Celtics F Jeff Green to Undergo Heart Surgery, Contract Voided

KC Downey — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:54:14 +0000

Celtics forward Jeff Green will undergo heart surgery for an aortic aneurysm that was detected while he was taking his team physical last week. He will miss the entire 2011-2012 season, but the surgery, which is due to take place Jan. 9, will allow him to resume his NBA career next season.

“While we are saddened that Jeff will not be able to play this season, the most important thing is his health, and we were fortunate to have access to an amazing team of specialists to evaluate Jeff’s case,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. “The entire Celtics family supports Jeff during this difficult time in his career.”

Green’s one-year, $9 million contract will be voided because he could not pass his physical.

Green was acquired in a trade last season with the Thunder. The C’s traded center Kendrick Perkins and guard Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City for Green and center Nenad Krstic. Krstic is now playing overseas, leaving the Celtics with no one to show for from last season’s controversial trade.

Green averaged 9.8 points per game in 26 games with the Celtics last season.

Celtics Close to Acquiring David West in Sign-And-Trade with Hornets

KC Downey — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:44:24 +0000

The Celtics and Hornets finally came to agreement on a deal…but not for Chris Paul. Danny Ainge is set to sign free agent forward David West as part of a sign-and-trade deal, according to TNT’s David Aldridge. West, who is coming off a torn ACL, will likely sign a 3-year deal for $27-29 million.

Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Boston will send Jermaine O’Neal and another player as part of the sign-and-trade deal, and those players will be part of another deal.

West, 31, was willing to take less money to finally play for a winner, Wojnarowski reported.

The 6’9″ West has averaged 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds during his 8-year career, and appeared poised for a big payday until he suffered the knee injury near the end of last season. Aldridge reports that West ”has diligently rehabbed his injury in North Carolina last summer, but teams have been slow to make significant offers to him.”

West’s longtime teammate Chris Paul is still in New Orleans, for now, one day after the NBA nixed a trade that would have sent him to LA, Paul Gasol to Houston, and Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin and another player back to New Orleans.

Celtics Trade Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis to Magic for Brandon Bass

KC Downey — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:58:25 +0000

The Celtics acquired forward Brandon Bass in a sign-and-trade deal with the Magic on Friday. Heading to Orlando is Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who will earn $26 million over four years.

The 6-8 Bass, who will be 27 in April, will make $4 million this year and has a player option for $4 million next season.

Davis, who turns 26 on New Year’s Day, has had several issues with his maturity during his time with the Celtics… but has been a very solid role player throughout his four-year NBA career. Last season, Davis averaged 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game before a subpar showing in the playoffs.

Bass, meanwhile, posted very similar numbers to his former LSU teammate. He averaged 11.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season.

Girlfriend Arrested For Biting Al Jefferson

KC Downey — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:01:22 +0000

Al Jefferson is a lot of things: former Celtic, good rebounder, good defender, tall. But I imagine he’s not very tasty.

Well, maybe I should tell that to his 38-year-old (yes, 38!) girlfriend Shirley Lewis, who bit the current Jazz forward/center in the back.

Lewis, who was listed at 5’7″ and 170 pounds, is charged with assault and domestic violence in the presence of a child, both class B misdemeanors, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

“The police department was called to a residence [Thursday] night on a report of domestic violence,” said Cottonwood Heights Sgt. Dan Bartlett. “Officers arrived and determined that domestic violence was in fact committed and arrested a female.”

Jefferson left the Celtics in the monster trade that brought Kevin Garnett to Boston. He averaged 18.6 points and 9.7 rebounds last season.

Celtics’ Free Agency Preview: Guards

Nathan — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 22:00:37 +0000

Sports of Boston continues its three-part preview of the 2011-12 Celtics roster and possible free-agent moves. Today, we’ll look at the guards.

The depth chart in the back-court for 2011-2012 Boston Celtics currently looks something like this:

PG: Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley

SG: Ray Allen, E’Twaun Moore

If the Celtics can resign Delonte West that would help the outlook on things considerably, but that still leaves the team with just three guards they know what to expect from. At 36 years old, Ray Allen is going to need to average under 30 minutes a game during the regular season if he is to be expected to chase Dwayne Wade around in the playoffs.

The Celtics don’t have a lot of money to play with to find Allen a serviceable backup. Below is a breakdown of some potential free agent bargains that could help the Celtics out at the guard position.

Guards

• Michael Redd

The 11 year veteran shooting guard is coming off 2 years of riding the pine. Back-to-back ACL tears have many wondering if Redd will ever be a serviceable player again. However, two years ago the guy was still lighting it up, averaging over 21 points per game. The Celtics need scoring, Michael Redd needs a job. He’s a high-character, good locker-room guy if nothing else. If Redd wants to come to Boston on the vet minimum for one year, I say give him a shot at shooting again.

• Marquis Daniels

Julian Benbow of the Boston Globe is reporting that Daniels and the Celtics are close to a deal. We all know that Daniels can play aggressive defense and run the offense in a pinch. We also know Quisy is pedestrian at best at putting the ball in the hoop beyond 12 feet. He’s coming off a season-ending near career-ending spine industry. Daniels hasn’t played a full season in his entire career and he hasn’t played more than 54 games in a season since 2007-08. If Marquis can stay healthy (and that’s a really big if) he can be a valuable player. I just wouldn’t count on Quisy to be Ray Allen’s backup all season.

• Vince Carter

Say what you will about Vince Carter’s heart or drive, but the guy still puts up numbers. The Suns are set to cut Carter when training camp begins. Vinsanity averaged 14 points a game last year with the Magic and Suns.

Carter, unlike the previously mentioned players, hasn’t had any recent surgeries either. In fact, he barely has a history of injuries at all. He’s never going to carry a team to a championship, and he seems fine with that, but that doesn’t mean he can’t come off the bench on a title-worthy team. The C’s need bench scoring and if there is one thing Carter can do, it’s provide that.

• Shannon Brown

If the Celtics’ decide they want some fresher legs than the old (by NBA years) men that we discussed above, Shannon Brown might fit nicely. He won’t light it up from 3, and don’t expect him to run the offense when Rondo needs a rest, but Brown will attack the basket and play lockdown defense on opposing point guards. Shannon’s skill-set fits nicely on a team like the Celtics that prides itself on playing defense and has few players that can effectively attack the rim. Plus, signing Brown takes a rotation player away from the Lakers.

Other possibilities: Acie Law, Deshawn Stevenson, Roger Mason, Willie Green, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Allen Iverson

Celtics Could Trade Rondo

Matthew Bond — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:49:12 +0000

After the news that the NBA will have a shortened season beginning December 25th after a 149-day lockout, teams will be scurrying to fill and balance their rosters. An agreement by the players will prompt free agency and training camps on December 9th, which will mean a chaotic couple of weeks of player-signings and trades.

Amongst the teams in need of roster adjustments are the Celtics, whose core of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett are growing older and nearing the end of their contracts. On the other hand Rajon Rondo has been locked up for the next three seasons by the C’s, and is seen as a core part of leading the next generation of players. However, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN, Boston is now open to the idea of trading Rondo if the right kind of deal came along.

The idea behind this shocking concept is that the Celtics are going to have a weakness in scoring as Pierce and Allen grow older. As the most valuable part of the franchise right now, Rondo could be exchanged for a great young scorer who could stay with the team for years.

I don’t think there is any chance of this happening. Rondo is far too valuable to be traded for anyone – he is arguably one of the best players in the game right now.

Rondo’s versatility as a player is unlike that of most. He plays outstanding defense, making the All-Defensive Team last season. He’s also an outstanding offensive player, both with scoring inside and distributing the ball, averaging 11.2 assists last year. And on top of all that, he’s a point guard who can rebound, often a triple double threat with his ability to get to the ball.

I like the idea that the Celtics are willing to listen to offers when it comes to trading Rondo because it is possible that a team could be willing to trade an elite scorer for him. But even then I would prefer the C’s take their chances and see what Rondo can do for them for years to come because he is some kind of talent.