The Boston Celtics waived center Jermaine O’Neal to make room for free agent Sean Williams.

ESPNBoston.com reported:

Sources told ESPN.com that the former Boston College center, waived by the Dallas Mavericks in March, is scheduled to join the Celtics in Atlanta and will be in uniform for Boston’s game Friday night against the Hawks.

Boston was in need of depth at the center position after O’Neal underwent season-ending wrist surgery last month.  They also lost Chris Wilcox for the season because of a heart condition and waived him to add Ryan Hollins.

O’Neal missed a lot of this season before going down for good, which moved Kevin Garnett to center.

Garnett expressed dislike for the center position but really stepped up for the Celtics both offensively and defensively.  He is a big reason for the Celtics run during the second half of the season.

Boston clinched the Atlantic Division last night with a victory over the Orlando Magic, but their playoff seeding is still to be determined.

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.

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.

The NBA trade deadline came and went yesterday, and the Celtics did not make an deals.

Danny Ainge said as of 2:57, negotiations were still being discussed, but nothing was able to go through.  Reports said many teams were interested in acquiring Ray Allen, and even Paul Pierce, but Boston stood firm.

Allen and Pierce will be key components to the Celtics late this season as they make their push for the playoffs, but the fact that Ainge did nothing yesterday is just terrible.

Chris Wilcox is set to have heart surgery and will miss the rest of the season, and Jermaine O’Neal is rumored to be done for the year as well with his wrist injury.  There are also reports he wants Boston to buy out his contract so he can return to the Miami Heat.

That leaves Kevin Garnett to play center, a position he apparently hates playing.  Brandon Bass and rookies JaJuan Johnson and Greg Stiemsma are left to play alongside Garnett in the front court, which is not a great sign for Boston.

» Continue reading “All Quiet On The Celtics Front”

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 Celtics had an off day today after defeating the New Jersey Nets last night.  They take on the New York Knicks tomorrow afternoon.

Here are your Saturday news and notes:

• After missing last night’s game, Ray Allen is probable for the Knicks game tomorrow.
• Mickael Pietrus made a bold statement today, claiming the Celtics will win the NBA Championship this year.
• Jermaine O’Neal is still suffering from an injured wrist.  The Celtics center is considering all of his options, including surgery.
• With the trade deadline approaching, take a look at some of the moves available for Boston to make.

Tonight is the NBA All-Star Game, which means the Boston Celtics have reached the half-way point of their 2011-2012 season.  Luck of the Irish will hand out a few midseason awards, and take a look at what lies ahead for the second half of the Celtics’ season.

The first award to hand out is Biggest Disappointment: Jermaine O’Neal

Jermaine O’Neal had a tough season last year, especially with the number of injuries he had to endure.  However, Doc Rivers called O’Neal the MVP of training camp.  Rivers said he stepped up his defensive game and became a better leader on the court.

» Continue reading “Boston Celtics Midseason Awards: Biggest Disappointment”

The Celtics gave up 72 points in the first half in last night’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, ending the first half of the season five-game losing streak.

Kevin Garnett returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games due to a family matter, but his 23 points weren’t enough.  Boston held a 10 point lead in the first quarter, but the Thunder turned that into a 17 point advantage.

The Celtics managed to pull within seven points late in the fourth quarter, but their comeback was short-lived.

The All-Star break is a great blessing for Boston.  They have dealt with numerous injuries over the course of the season, and they have played terrible as of late.  Brandon Bass has been out with a knee injury, and Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Wilcox sat out last night’s contest after suffering injuries against the Dallas Mavericks Monday.

» Continue reading “Boston Celtics: All-Star Break Comes At The Perfect Time”

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK

Tip-Off: 7:00 P.M.

Projected Starters:

Boston (15-16): Avery Bradley, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Greg Stiemsma, JaJuan Johnson

**The status for Kevin Garnett (family matter), Jermaine O’Neal (wrist), and Chris Wilcox (adductor) are unknown regarding tonight’s game, therefore they are not put into the starting lineup.

Oklahoma City (25-7): Russell Westbrook, Daequan Cook, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins

Keys to the Game:

• The Celtics could be shorthanded again.  Rajon Rondo sits out for the second game of his two-game suspension, and there is no word on Garnett, O’Neal, or Wilcox.  The reserves will get plenty of action tonight, and Boston has to do as much as possible to keep the score close and not let things get away from them. » Continue reading “Celtics Take On Thunder In Final Game Before The Break”

The Celtics started last night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks without Brandon Bass, and by the end of the night, Jermaine O’Neal and Chris Wilcox joined the injury list.

O’Neal left the game with a strained wrist, and Wilcox hurt his adductor.  Boston was already without Kevin Garnett, who missed the game due to a family matter.

The Celtics could be in trouble tomorrow night if O’Neal and Wilcox are still hurt.  Reports say Garnett could play, but his status is still uncertain.  If those three are out, Boston is down to JaJuan Johnson and Greg Stiemsma down low who have to go up against Kendrick Perkins and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

All-Star weekend is saving Boston right now.  Paul Pierce is the only Celtic playing in the game Sunday, so that gives the rest of the team plenty of time to rest and heal any nagging injuries before the second half of the season.