The Boston Celtics conclude their regular season tomorrow night at home against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Here are your news and notes on this Wednesday:

• The Celtics’ reserves proved themselves in last night’s win over the Miami Heat.  Coach Doc Rivers sat the starters for most or all of the game, but the bench players carried the team to a victory.
• Ray Allen’s ankle continues to sideline him, but Rivers say the shooting guard should be ready for the start of the playoffs this weekend.
• When Boston takes on the Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs, the Hawks will most likely be without forward Al Horford.

Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Tip-Off: 7:00 P.M. ET

Projected Starters:

Boston (30-24): Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass, Kevin Garnett

Indiana (34-21): Paul George, Darren Collison, Danny Granger, David West, Roy Hibbert

Keys to the Game:

• The Celtics got off to a great start against the Chicago Bulls Thursday night, but their play fell apart in the second half and the lost the game after holding a double-digit lead in the first.  They need to bounce back tonight against the Pacers, coming out fast from the start and staying consistent for the entire game.
• Ray Allen is in his third game back from his ankle injury.  He was fairly non-existent the past two games, so tonight is the perfect time for him to regain that shooting spark.
• Boston leads the Atlantic Division and sits in fourth place in the East.  A win tonight would push them closer to taking over the third spot from the Pacers.

» Continue reading “Celtics Look To End Skid Against Pacers”

The Boston Celtics had their second day off in a row today before taking on the Spurs tomorrow night in Boston.

Here are you news and notes on this Tuesday night:

• With these two days of rest for the Celtics, Ray Allen is set to return to the lineup tomorrow night.
• Reports are swirling about the return of Allen from his ankle injury and the potential of losing his starting spot to Avery Bradley.
• Mickael Pietrus visited the Celtics at practice today, but Doc Rivers said he is nowhere close to returning to the court.

The Celtics moved into first place of the Atlantic Division with their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.  Boston has a tough game tomorrow afternoon against the Miami Heat.

Here are your Saturday news and notes:

• The Celtics only have a couple weeks left in the regular season, but it will be a tough finish as they face some of the best teams in the NBA.
• Jermaine O’Neal’s season-ending wrist surgery was successful.
• Rajon Rondo is putting up big assist numbers this season, and last night, he notched his twelfth consecutive game with double-digit assists.
• Ever since Austin Rivers declared for the NBA draft, a lot of speculation has been made about him joining his father and playing for the Celtics.  The to-be rookie point guard commented on the possibility of coming to Boston.
• Doc Rivers said Mickael Pietrus could return for the playoffs.

Want to know what it takes to be named one of the most powerful people in the city of Boston?  Just ask Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

Boston Magazine listed Rivers No. 37 on their list of the top 50 people, saying:

Considering that some athletes are still reluctant to play for teams in Boston because of the city’s perceived racist past, it was no small thing that Rivers, one of the more respected coaches in the NBA, signed a $35 million extension last year to stay in town through 2016.  In committing to help rebuild the post-Big 3 Celtics, Rivers will be one of the team’s chief selling points to lure star free agents — of every race — to town.

Rivers joins fellow Boston sports figure Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots, as well as politicians Deval Patrick and Martha Coakley.

From a sports perspective, all one needs to do is take a team from last place to NBA champion, coach three of the best players in history, and become one of the most respected men in the league.

That doesn’t sound too hard, right?!

Happy Spring Celtics fans!

Boston won last night in Atlanta 79-76, and now they have a few days off before their road trip continues Thursday in Milwaukee.

Here are your news and notes on this Tuesday:

• Check out the recap from last night’s win.
• The Celtics announced Jermaine O’Neal will have season-ending wrist surgery.
• Doc Rivers said his team is in the works to acquire some free agents.

March 15 is rapidly approaching.  The Celtics have five days left to put together any deals to send players away or bring them in.

Rumors swirled recently regarding the status of Rajon Rondo in Boston, but a new report says the Celtics are no longer interested in dealing the point guard.

Danny Ainge has reportedly received many calls about several of the players on the Celtics’ roster, but nothing is really in the works.  He also said he will not deal “future assets” just to help the team right now.

The biggest problem for Boston right now is the injuries.  Jermaine O’Neal has been out since before the All-Star break, and there is no timetable for his return. Mickael Pietrus and Chris Wilcox missed last night’s game against Portland, and the bench is a key component to the Celtics game plan.

» Continue reading “Are The Celtics Wheelin’ And Dealin’?”

The Philadelphia 76ers snapped the Celtics five-game winning streak last night with a blowout victory 103-71; Boston’s first loss since returning from the All-Star break.

The Celtics have an off-day today, as they prepare to take on the Portland Trail Blazers tomorrow night.

Here are today’s news and notes:

• Philadelphia extended their lead in the Atlantic Division with last night’s win over Boston.
• Doc Rivers still feels “optimistic” despite the loss to the 76ers.
• Rajon Rondo was voted the 12th best player to build an NBA team around, an interesting statistic considering the trade rumors surrounding Boston’s point guard.

18 points. 20 assists. 17 rebounds.

Just a mere triple-double from Rajon Rondo in Boston’s win yesterday over the New York Knicks.  Those numbers definitely prove reasons why the Celtics are reportedly trying to trade the point guard.  Right?

Rondo proved why he should be considered one of the best point guards in the NBA.  Despite rumors of attitude problems, it is hard to understand why a team would trade a player who puts up those kind of numbers.

Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers both denied the speculations that the Celtics are aggressively pursuing trade options for Rondo.  There are many reports surfacing about which teams are interested in the All-Star point guard, but no moves have been made yet.

» Continue reading “Poll: Should The Celtics Trade Rondo?”

The Celtics and the rest of the NBA have until March 15 at 3:00 P.M. to finalize their trades.

With the trade deadline approaching, rumors continue to circulate around Boston.  Yesterday, it was reported that Lamar Odom would be interested in joining the Celtics, but today, the focus is on Rajon Rondo.

The Rondo trade rumors began before the season even started, with speculations that Danny Ainge was working on trade to bring Chris Paul.

Now, several reports say the Celtics are again working on a trade for their point guard.  ESPNBoston reported the Celtics are “aggressively” working on a trade:

The Celtics find Rondo’s personality to be too high-maintenance and his clashes with coach Doc Rivers remain an off-court distraction, sources told Broussard, and the front office is now actively pitching him to other teams.  With the Celtics realizing they are no longer title contenders, they don’t believe his point guard prowess is worth the headaches Rondo brings, sources say.  And they do not want to build around him.

This is not the first time Rondo’s behavior has been questioned.  Rivers is one of the most-respected coaches in the NBA, and if Rondo cannot get along with him, then it is time for he and the Celtics to part ways.

» Continue reading “Boston Celtics: Is This The End Of The Road For Rondo?”