Father Time takes down Shaq, C's win anyway: BOS 101, DET 90

Shaquille O'Neal played in his first game for the Celtics since February 1st tonight. Unfortunately for Boston, that return lasted all of five and a half minutes due to another injury as the Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons 101-90. Sunday night at the TD Garden in Boston, MA.

Shaq made his return in the first quarter looking great and making an immediate impact. He gave the Celtics the offensive presence around the basket they've been missing the past two months -- scoring six points and hustling on both sides of the floor.

However, the worst possible scenario happened. Shaq had to leave the game after coming up lame while sprinting across the court just a minute into the second quarter. He was helped to the locker room by Celtics trainer Ed Lacerte, who had to hold a hobbling Shaq up by the back of his shorts. It didn't look good as he apparently doubled over in pain and had to be put in a wheel chair.

Thankfully, it was not the Achilles that's kept O'Neal out for the past two months. Instead, the Celtics were calling it a strained calf muscle -- an injury that bugged Shaq earlier this season.

Waiting for Superman

Just looking at Shaq, the reason for his “Superman” nickname is pretty clear. He’s big (325 lbs), tall (7-1) and strong. At the old age of 39 the big man has still remained a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. However, he hasn’t been that force since February 1st after being sidelined with a nagging Achilles injury.

Shaq now needs to take on the role
of Superman and save the team.

The Celtics signed Shaq with the intention of having him play off the bench behind Kendrick Perkins in the second half of the season. The NBA superstar wasn’t expected to carry the bulk of the team as he’d been so used to for most of his career. Instead, Shaq was signing on as a role player, a complimentary piece.

Now his Superman nickname may take on another meaning. The Celtics need Shaq to save the day.

A lot has changed for the Celtics since the last time Shaquille O’Neal took the court. Kendrick Perkins is gone, traded to Oklahoma City. The once top-seeded C’s have gone on a downward spiral to third place in the East. Boston has lost four of their last six. Amidst the slide, Celtics fans have seen the discouraging (Charlotte), the inspiring (San Antonio) and the just downright confusing (Indiana, Atlanta).

The source of the Celtics’ struggles is hard to pin down. Some have pointed to the trade as the reason while others would blame apathy. For a Celtics team that flipped a switch come playoff time after coasting through the second half of the season, that’s not exactly out of the realm of possibility.

Celtics close out Spurs in second half: BOS 107 SA 97

In the Celtics' recent slide, it's been arguably the subpar play of Rajon Rondo holding the team back the most. Tonight, he had 22 points, 14 assists, five rebounds and no turnovers as he sparked the Boston Celtics to an inspiring 107-97 road win over the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX.

It's the fifth consecutive loss for San Antonio -- the longest losing streak for the Spurs since April of 1997

Paul Pierce had 21 points in an
inspiring Celtic victory.

Paul Pierce had a double double with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Garnett added 20 points and nine rebounds. Glen Davis came up big off of the bench, scoring 16 points with eight rebounds. Ray Allen added 13 points despite 3-of-11 shooting. The Celtics shot 54.8 percent on the night.

Tonight was the return of Jermaine O'Neal, who hadn't suited up for the Celtics since January 10th. As expected, he didn't fill up the stat sheet but played solid defense in 11:12 minutes.

However, as one big body returned another took an exit. Nenad Krstic left the game in the second quarter after his knee bent awkwardly while driving to the basket. He was taken to the locker room by Celtics trainer Ed Lacerte while hobbling badly. The Celtics are calling it a right knee injury.

San Antonio also had some injuries of their own heading into tonight's game. Spurs stars Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Antonio McDyess all missed Monday's game. There was a question as to whether they would start tonight, however Doc Rivers said he had no doubt they would be suiting up. Sure enough he was right.

Ubuntu is gone

Right now, the Celtics are in a funk. It looks a little familiar too. Last season, Boston sleepwalked through the last half of the regular season -- posting a mediocre .500 record from Christmas on.

Boston was losing games to the Washington Wizards and the New Jersey Nets. Fans were worried, dissatisfied and pissed off. They booed.

We all know how that turned out. The Celtics turned it on in the playoffs. As the fourth seed, they ousted Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Dwight Howard -- making it all the way to Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

So, have we seen a bored Celtics team before? Yes.

"And last year, we lost Game 7 on the road,” quipped Doc Rivers when asked the same question after last night's 83-81 loss to the 29-42 Charlotte Bobcats.

There's something wrong with the Celtics. Whether they'll pull themselves out of it is up for the debate, but that is a fact. This team isn't playing the way that won them a championship in 2008, and even the way that had them so close a year ago.

Perkins trash talks Heat, Dwyane Wade

Perkins may not be sporting a Celtic uniform anymore, but he's still talking trash like one. It seems he's been making headlines left and right dishing out insults to Boston's rivals ever since the the trade. I guess it's like CelticsLife said after the trade, "Once a Celtic, Always a Celtic".

Earlier this month, Perkins called the Lakers' Pau Gasol 'soft and Phil Jackson 'arrogant'. Go Perk.

That wasn't all that Perkins had to say about his former team's rivals. On Sunday, Perkins gave the Miami Herald an inside look at how the Boston Celtics view the Heat.

“[The Celtics are] arrogant in a good way,” he said. “Each guy feels they have a matchup to their advantage against Miami. They take it a lot personal when they play them.”

Perk goes on to say that Ray Allen will give Dwyane Wade fits because Wade falls asleep on defense.

“Dwyane falls asleep a lot. He doesn’t like to guard screen-and-rolls, and that’s what Ray specializes in. Dwyane doesn’t like to get picked. He’s a good on-the-ball defender as far as a guy dribbling, but he struggles getting over screens.”

Perkins didn't end there. He said that Chris Bosh "definitely" won't slow down KG, and that Garnett takes it personal when he goes against Bosh.

Perk said that the Celtics players never talked about any disdain for the Heat privately, but went on to speculate, "I know it’s in their heads, how everybody crowned them before they played a game.”

This article was originally published for CelticsLife.com

Doc, Ainge talk new contract

After the crushing loss to the Lakers in the NBA Finals, coach Doc Rivers almost didn't return this season because he wanted to spend more time with his family. He came back for one year but many have speculated whether this could be his last go-around with Boston. Not according to CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely:

"You'd be hard-pressed to find any one with ties to the NBA that is looking forward to this summer, and a potential lockout on the horizon.


For the Boston Celtics, a delay in the start of the season might actually work to their advantage in retaining a prized free agent - head coach Doc Rivers.


Rivers, whose contract expires at the end of this season, has made no secret about wanting to spend more time with his family.


If there is a lockout and the season is delayed, that may very well be enough to allow Rivers to spend additional time with his family, and still return as the Celtics' head coach."

Blakely reports that Ainge and Doc have had multiple talks throughout the season on a new contract. However, he writes that Ainge also has said that Doc wants to put off dealing with his contract situation until the season has come to a close.

Celtics lose a tight one to Memphis: MEM: 90 BOS 87

It's normally Paul Pierce or Ray Allen making the clutch game winning shots for the Celtics. Yet, that wasn't quite the case tonight as Pierce didn't get his chance until just 4.2 seconds were left in the game.

Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis and Pierce each missed shots that could have tied or won the game with the final seconds ticking away as the Boston Celtics fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 90-87 Wednesday night at the TD Garden in Boston, MA.

Paul Pierce didn't get his chance to win the game until just 4.2
seconds left in the game.

Former Celtic Tony Allen was overjoyed to beat his former team on their home court, he scored eight points and had seven rebounds on the night. However, he wasn't the only former Celtic excited to get back at his old team. Leon Powe had a big game, tying Zach Randolph for a team-high 13 points off the bench.

The Celtics got their best chance to take the game trailing by one on a fast break with 27.9 seconds remaining. However, it wasn't the C's best offensive weapons, Paul Pierce or Ray Allen, taking the shot. Rondo decided to keep it himself. His floater didn't go and the Celtics would never climb any closer.

Memphis held a huge advantage in the paint, outscoring Boston 52-26 under the basket. The Grizzlies attempted 16 more field goals than the Celtics, shooting 44.6 percent on the night. The Grizzlies also lead the league in steals and Boston was very much their victim tonight. Memphis had 12 steals as the Celtics turned the ball over 20 times.

Rondo's slump needs to end...soon.

As much of a story as Boston's recent slide had been, it was the play of star point guard Rajon Rondo that has really bugged fans around New England.

Aside from being a phenomenal writer, Jackie MacMullan's most famous skill is the way she gets players to open up. That's no less the case in her most recent column for ESPNBoston.com, where she talks to Rajon Rondo about his recent slump.

Included is perhaps one reason Rondo hasn't looked quite like himself in recent weeks. The departure of his good friend, Kendrick Perkins.

"We were best friends," Rondo told MacMullan. "It's been tough. I know other guys have been through it, but I haven't. We went through everything together, right from the beginning. I missed the USA basketball camp so I could be at his wedding."

Life for Rondo has certainly been different since the trade. Not only off the court -- where he's lost his favorite person to hang out with -- but on it as well.

Rockets blow out Celtics, HOU 93 BOS 77

It was just less than a week ago that the famed Celtics defense added another page to the history books, holding the Milwaukee Bucks to a franchise record low 56 points. Tonight, however, the Celtics made some history they'd rather forget.

The Rockets had scored 62 points at halftime, the most points the Celtics have allowed in a half all season, as Houston's first half 50 percent shooting from both the field and behind the arch had them coasting to a 93-77 blowout win over the Celtics Friday night at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX.

The Rockets sweep the season series with Boston, who've now lost their last four of six, including three-straight losses on the road.

Kevin Martin delivered a game high 25 points for Houston and missed only one free throw all night going 11/12 at the line. Kyle Lowry also had a big night for Houston, scoring 20 points and shot 4/4 from beyond the arch in the first half. The Rockets also got double doubles from Patrick Patterson (18 pts, 12 rebounds) and Chuck Hayes (11 points, 11 rebounds).

The Celtics were led by Big Baby's 16 points and Jeff Green's 17. Kevin Garnett had 11 points and Paul Pierce had 10 for the green. Ray Allen added eight points while Rondo's slump continued as he was 2-of-11 from the field with four points and six assists. The Celtics shot 42.4 percent on the night and couldn't hit anything from three-point range, going 1-of-10.

After giving up 108 points in a loss to the Rockets back in early January, defense was something that was stressed for Boston heading into tonight's contest. However, it wasn't something they could deliver as things started to get away from them in the first half, especially in the second quarter.

Tonight is "Mike & Tommy Night" at the TD Garden

The Celtics will be honoring Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn's 30-year broadcasting career tonight at the Garden. The duo has become dear to the hearts of Celtics fans around New England and Tommy's unabashed bias for the Celtics and rants on the refs have annoyed neutral League Pass subscribers for years.

This from CSNNE.com on the event:

This week, the year-long celebration of Mike and Tommy’s 30 seasons continues as the Boston Celtics will honor the tandem with a special pre-game ceremony before tip off of the Celtics vs. Pacers game on Wednesday, March 16. During the pre-game ceremony, Celtics CEO and Co-owner Wyc Grousbeck and Celtics Captain Paul Pierce will present commemorative Celtics jerseys with the number “30” to Mike and Tommy on center court. Comcast SportsNet will have live coverage of the presentation and special features throughout its telecast.

CSNNE will also be running a documentary called "30 Seasons of Mike & Tommy" Friday night at 7:30 to further honor the duo.

I actually bought tickets to this game to take my girlfriend (a casual basketball fan but avid Tommy fanatic) to as a Christmas present a long time ago. I'm excited to hear we'll be there to witness the event. I'll be sure to tweet some pictures as I've got pretty good seats. Be sure to follow me @SaverSports for some exclusive CelticsLife footage from inside the Garden.

This article was originally published for CelticsLife.com

Bulls take first place from Celtics in the East

With a 98-79 victory over the Washington Wizards tonight, Tom Thibodeau's Chicago Bulls have overtaken Boston for sole possession of first place in the East. Coincidentally, they accomplished the feat while wearing Celtic green.

The Celtics have stumbled lately, losing their last three of four games. The losses coming to opponents with a combined 82-118 record.

Rose leads the way for Chicago,
 averaging 24.7 points a game for the
now first place Bulls.

Meanwhile, Chicago is hitting their stride just at the right time. Tonight's win was the Bulls' seventh in a row. MVP-candidate Derrick Rose scored 23 points for Chicago at home against the Wizards.

The Bulls move a half-game ahead of the Celtics, who have had a consistent hold on the number one seed nearly all season.

Boston had briefly slipped a half game behind the Miami Heat close to a month ago, but reclaimed the spot with a 85-82 win over the Heat just days later on February 13th. However, the Celtics won't get their shot at the Bulls until April 7th at Chicago.

Boston also has a tough stretch ahead of them, with three back to backs on the road in the next two weeks and four total remaining this season. That could easily translate to four losses for the C's. The Celtics are just 2-8 this season on the second night of a back to back on the road. With a rough stretch ahead of them, and now trailing Chicago for the number one seed, reclaiming it is going to be a lot more difficult for Boston this time around.

This article was originally published for CelticsLife.com

Thunder fan thoughts on Perkins' debut for OKC

The Celtics and Thunder have been heading in opposite directions lately.

Boston is officially in a slump. They've lost their last three of four games. All to opponents with records either under .500 or just above it. The Celtics are a team that's not only debilitated by injury but also one that's struggling to integrate many new faces into the mix since trading away five players at the trade deadline -- including fan favorite Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City.

Perkins will help shore up the Thunder's
defense, something the Celtics could use
some help with right now too

Meanwhile, it's a great time to be a Thunder fan. While Boston's new additions are giving them some temporary (hopefully) problems, OKC just gladly welcomed someone new to their ranks last night against the Wizards -- Perkins. Perk has missed nine games due to a sprained left knee he suffered in Oakland, when he was still a member for the Boston Celtics.

Even without Perk, things have been going as well as they've gone all year for the Thunder. They've won their last seven of eight games and their 27-point blowout of the Wizards last night brought their win streak to four games, nearly matching their best streak of the season.

Of course, what grabs the attention of Celtics fans is the debut of Perkins. As a starter in his first game with Oklahoma, Perk played for 20-minutes -- grabbing nine rebounds and netting six points.

Celtics win tug of war in Utah: BOS 107 UTA 102

The Celtics had a lead as high as 13 in the first quarter, however, a win in Salt Lake City proved to be anything but easy. Even without Deron Williams. By the time the Green were heading to the locker rooms at half time, their lead had been cut to only three.

It was a struggle putting the Jazz to bed,
but the C's prevailed in the end.

It was a theme that remained prevalent the whole game, no lead was safe as the Jazz continually battled back. The game was a tug of war, featuring eleven ties overall and eight lead changes in the fourth quarter.

It wasn't easy, but eventually the C's pulled out the five-point victory in Salt Lake City, 107-102. The win wrapped up a successful road trip to the west coast, in which they went 3-1.

There were many heroes for the Celtics, whose starters all reached double figures. They were led by Ray Allen's 25 points. The three-point king made 5-of-8 three pointers in the game, including two over the final five minutes. Paul Pierce added 21 points, 16 of which were instrumental in holding off a Utah rally in the second quarter. Pierce was also 11-of-11 at the free-throw line, knocking down two clutch shots at the charity stripe in the final seconds to seal the game for Boston.

Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo each had double doubles in the game, Garnett had 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting while adding 14 rebounds. Rondo dished out 11 dimes and scored 16 points. New addition, Nenad Krstic, had 11 points in the game -- 10 of which came in the first quarter.

It's a business. Ainge balances present and future.

RECAP of Celtics deadline moves:
Perkins to OKC for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic
Celtics trade Semih and Luke
C's get 2012 1st rounder & Murphy likely to Boston

Obviously, the Celtics have made some high profile and even stomach punching moves at the deadline today.

CSNNE.com's A. Sherrod Blakely spoke to Perkins after the trade and shared some of their conversation on his twitter account.

"It's a business, but at the same time, I don't think anyone wants to get traded," Perkins told Blakely. "You never know what can happen. When it gets close to the deadline, it's like man, 'I hope it's not me.'"

This time it was Perkins. After missing half of the season recovering from ACL/MCL surgery, he had just injured his other knee in a game Tuesday night against the Warriors. Perk was expected to miss the rest of Boston's road trip, but told ESPNBoston before the trade that he would try to be back for atleast one of the games. His reasoning? "I'm a Celtic, man."

It's a statement that's no longer true, and the trade changes the landscape of the Celtics' future. With Dwight Howard soon slated to become a free-agent, Boston has now become a major buyer with the open spot at center. Celticslife's Jesse Dampolo wrote earlier this month on the prospect of Howard donning green. Now, it's a very realistic thought.

Celtics break six-game losing streak, BOS 115 GSW 93

There isn't much that Doc Rivers hasn't accomplished in his tenure as Celtics coach. He's lead the franchise to it's league-leading 17th NBA Championship, captured two conference titles as well as the best record in the NBA. Currently, his team sits atop the Eastern Conference, a contender for the title once again.

Garnett also had 2 blocked shots
and a steal in the Celtics victory

However, there's one feat that Rivers had yet to accomplish before tonight.

Led by double doubles from Kevin Garnett (24 points, 12 rebounds), Rajon Rondo (19 points, 15 assists) and Glen Davis (12 points, 10 rebounds), the Celtics got their first victory in Golden State's Oracle Arena since 2003. It's been six seasons of losses that even the Big Three era couldn't fix. Until tonight that is.

It was a game that was close throughout, until a 18-2 Celtic run in the fourth quarter had the men in green running away with the rare victory in Oakland, 115-93.

Delonte West made his return from a wrist injury with 2:40 to go in the first quarter. However, it was a largely forgettable performance. West missed all four shots that he took -- contributing only an assist and a rebound.

Ray breaks record, Kobe beats Celtics: LAL 92 BOS 86

Ray Allen took his place as the NBA's three-point king Thursday night, breaking Reggie Miller's 3-point record by draining his 2,561st shot from beyond the arch. Yet, it was the Lakers who came away with the victory.

Allen embraces the former 3-point king,
 Reggie Miller, after breaking his record.

It was Kobe Bryant who led his visiting Lakers to a win, totaling 23 points -- including 12 in the third quarter -- to beat Boston 92-86.

Allen was determined to get his 3-point record out of the way early -- attempting five shots from beyond the arch in the first quarter. Two of them went in, and that's all he needed.

With just over 4:14 to go in the first quarter, Ray Allen sunk the record-tying shot off a Garnett feed. A little over two and a half minutes later, Allen drained number 2,561 on a fast break caused by a Von Wafer steal. After acknowledging the screaming crowd, Ray went right over to Reggie Miller -- who was broadcasting the game for TNT -- and gave him a hug.

Ray's record breaking three didn't help them on the glass, however. The Celtics were beat up on the boards, falling behind 47-36 in rebounding and were outscored 50-32 in the paint. The Lakers shot 47.9 percent in the game, and the Celtics made a mere 13/43 shots in the second half as Los Angeles overcame a double-digit deficit to beat the C's in the Garden.

KG's a blogger too...

Remember when Kevin Garnett went to China and signed with ANTA shoes back in August? Well, he also writes a blog for them.

KG blogs for China

In his latest entry, transcribed here by ESPN's Chris Forsberg, KG talks about the Celtics' games against Washington and Cleveland and recaps the recent road trip to the west coast.

I like how Garnett calls Pierce P2 (P squared??). Great nickname. Here are some highlights:

On Perkins' return against Cleveland:

"The Cavs game went quick and didn't play as much, which was good. 18 min was all I logged. They are struggling and we kept their losing streak going. It was also MY HOMIE'S FIRST GAME BACK! Big Perk came in and it was awesome to see him back. The crowd gave him a standing Ovation! Well deserved. Perk works extremely hard and it was great to play with him."

On being ejected from the Suns game:

"This game was physical as well and super ugly. I never apologize for my actions, as I play with passion. I actually got ejected for (the ref said) "talking too much". Can you believe that. It was unfortunate, and i hate to leave my team out there without being around to support them. Doc got ejected and then fined $15,000 for not leaving the court in a timely manner. A TIMELY MANNER. WOW

The game ended and we got worked over. It could've been the back to back and travel, but they played well."

C's start road trip with W over Blazers, BOS 88 POR 78

Ray Allen scored 18 points on 3/6 shooting from beyond the arch as Boston beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 88-78.

Allen hit back-to-back threes in
the third to help the C's pull away

Despite turning the ball over 21 times and being out-rebounded, 49-42; including a 19-8 disparity on the offensive end, the Celtics were able to start their west coast road trip with a win. The Blazers turned the ball over 17 times themselves and were held to 36.7 percent shooting. Portland also made 20 fewer trips to the charity stripe than the visiting Celtics, going nearly the entire first half without a free throw attempt.

Paul Pierce left the game in the fourth quarter with what's being reported as a bruised right thigh but notched 17 points on 50 percent shooting. 14 of those points came in the first half.

Garnett had a near triple double with 10 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. In his second game back from injury, Kendrick Perkins came close to a double double, scoring 10 points and reeling in nine boards in just over 20 minutes off the bench. Rajon Rondo added 11 points and a season-low five assists.

Just one thing missing in Perkins' return

Sure, Kendrick Perkins returned to the court after six months of rehabbing a torn ACL 10 days earlier than anticipated. And sure, he put up respectable numbers on the box score -- seven points, six rebounds, three assists in 17 minutes. However, nit-picking, one thing was missing.

At one point in the game, the 6-10 center stood towering over referee, Scott Twardoski, yelling for the foul to be called on Cleveland's J.J. Hickson. A familiar site for Celtics fans. However, just the lobbying wasn't enough. It went without the accustomed result, a technical foul.

"I was trying to get the tech to show everybody that I was back," said a smiling Perk after the game. "But it's cool, it's cool."

"I mean, he almost ran after the [referee] that one time," said coach Doc Rivers after the game. "And I was thinking, 'You've got to be kidding me. Perk's back.' When he did it, the whole bench started laughing, saying, 'Perk's back.'"

"He's going to get a tech soon," said Rivers, getting a laugh from the room of reporters.

Shaq the real hero in Boston's comeback

For most of last night's game between the Celtics and Pistons, it looked like the Pistons were going to come out on top.

The Celtics opened the game up with a five point lead but Detroit rallied back to tie it. Boston again tried to pull away in the second quarter by building a seven point lead, but the Pistons came right back again, ending the first half with a three-point advantage. It wasn't until the fourth quarter that Boston started to take control of their home-court. Ray Allen may have made the shot that gave the team the lead, but the man to lead them there was a 38-year old Shaq.

"I thought in the first half we were a bit 'miscombobulated' at times," said Kevin Garnett. "[In the second half] we did a better job at adjusting, but Shaq led that charge. He doesn't usually play a lot in the fourth...but tonight he was assertive. I'm not going to say he was calling the plays but he was initiating a lot of the talk and the communication."

"The whole team was flat; I just had to pick it up," O'Neal said.