NBA.com reports: Rajon Rondo certainly is doing his part in the absence of Kevin Garnett. Rondo is making significant contributions all over the floor, posting 12 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks as the Celtics earned a 104-97 road win over the Pacers on Tuesday. In Sunday’s win over the defending-champion Spurs, Rondo had a season-high 12 assists to go along with 11 rebounds, the third time he’s led the Celtics (40-9) on the boards since Garnett went down. Boston has won four straight without KG, who also will miss the Celtics’ home game against the Knicks on Wednesday, their last before the break.
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Ray Allen replaces injured Caron Butler in All-Star game
InsideHoops.com NewsWire: Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star Caron Butler (left hip flexor strain) of the Washington Wizards for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17 in New Orleans.
Allen will be making his eighth NBA All-Star appearance.
“I am disappointed that I am going to miss the All-Star game,” said Butler. “I feel it is best for me to get the proper rest in preparation for the second half of the season. I am honored to be selected as an All-Star. I will still enjoy the weekend with my teammate Antawn Jamison and my fellow NBA All-Stars.”
Butler, who is in his sixth NBA season, is currently averaging career highs in points (21.4), steals (2.4), field goal percentage (.476), and free throw percentage (.913).
The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17, will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio beginning at 8 p.m. EST.
Glen Davis strains quad muscle
The Boston Celtics are hosting the New York Knicks, and in the mid third quarter Boston forward Glen Davis spun in the air (it appeared to be a full 360) and landed badly, hurting his left knee.
A replay didn’t look particularly bad — no disgusting ‘obvious’ injury or anything — but Davis fell to the ground and stayed there, in obvious pain. He was eventually helped off the court and brought to the locker room. No word on how serious it is.
8:55 p.m. ET update: It’s just a strained quad muscle.
Rasheed Wallace named All-Star replacement for KG
Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star Kevin Garnett (abdominal muscle strain) of the Boston Celtics for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17 in New Orleans.
Wallace will be making his fourth NBA All-Star appearance. East All-Star head coach Doc Rivers will determine which player on his roster will replace Garnett in the starting line-up.
The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17, will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio beginning at 8 p.m. EST.
No KG Friday results in free Wolves tickets
The Timberwolves are being cool. The Celtics are playing in Minnesota Friday night, but Kevin Garnett is almost definitely still out injured and not able to play. So the Wolves, just for the heck of it, are hooking attending fans up with a free ticket for a future game. Here’s the press release:
In response to the likelihood of former Timberwolves player Kevin Garnett not being able to participate in tomorrow night’s game between Minnesota and Boston, the Timberwolves announced today that all fans in attendance will receive a voucher redeemable for one ticket to an upcoming Wolves game. The gesture is in recognition of the special circumstance of Garnett’s return to Minnesota, the fan sentiment surrounding this game and also serves as a thank you to loyal Wolves fans in attendance.
“While injuries are a part of the game and there is never a guarantee that any player will be in uniform, we recognize that this is a very special circumstance and share our fans’ disappointment at the prospect of Kevin not being able to participate,” Timberwolves President Chris Wright said. “Just as we know our fans are eager to thank Kevin for his immense contributions to this team and this community, we want to thank the fans for their continued loyalty to our franchise.”
Ticket vouchers will be distributed to all fans as they enter Target Center for tomorrow’s game. The vouchers are redeemable for one ticket to one of the following Wolves home games: Sunday, Feb. 10 vs. Toronto, Tuesday, Feb. 19 vs. Philadelphia, or Tuesday, Feb. 26 vs. Utah.
Damon Stoudamire to Spurs is extremely likely
A source tells InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner that it’s “extremely likely” Damon Stoudamire will sign with the San Antonio Spurs.
Several media outlets reported Tuesday and Wednesday that San Antonio was an increasingly probable destination for the point guard, who became a free agent after a buyout agreement led to the Memphis Grizzlies waiving him. A source confirmed that to InsideHoops.com, and said late Wednesday night that Stoudamire to the Spurs is expected to happen unless a sudden surprise offer comes Damon’s way.
Bob Ryan’s Son Dead at 37
Keith Ryan, 37, an attache for US Customs in Pakistan, has died from a gunshot wound. The bullet appeared to be self-inflicted.
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Ryan is the son of Bob Ryan, a columnist for the Boston Globe. The elder Ryan, a 1994 inductee into the Basketball Writers’ Association, was the USBWA president in 2001-02.
Celtics waive Brandon Wallace
The Boston Celtics announced today that the club has requested waivers on forward Brandon Wallace. The Celtics roster now stands at 13.
Wallace signed as an undrafted free agent on July 10, 2007. The 6’9” forward out of the University of South Carolina did not appear in any regular season games for the Celtics. He averaged 1.2 points in 4.7 minutes per game during the preseason and was assigned to the Utah Flash of the NBA Development League on November 13, 2007. He averaged 12.5 points and 9.2 rebounds in six games for the Flash.
Celtics playing great defense
NBA.com reports: The Celtics are grooving on defense, and it’s got them riding a nine-game streak. The Celts lead the NBA in points allowed, FG and TP percentage allowed, and rebounding differential. Boston’s PPG differential is +14.2; the diff for the second-best stoppers, the Pistons, is +7.9. The C’s sit at No. 2 and 3 in SPG and steal differential, and are the No. 1 Scrooge with dimes, allowing 17.3 per game – exactly how many they let Toronto have Sunday. The Raptors normally dish 23 APG. “The plays we usually make just weren’t there,” Chris Bosh said after the C’s 90-77 clampdown. Boston is 20-2 because it believes “stop” means “go”: “We’re trying to have the defense fuel the offense,” said Kevin Garnett, “and it’s been working.”
Celtics, Magic, Spurs and Suns in rare air
NBA News – Boston (15-2), Orlando (16-4), San Antonio (16-3) and Phoenix (15-4) each have a chance of winning at least 20 of their first 25 games. The last time four teams started the season with at least 20 wins in their first 25 games was 1996: Chicago (22-3), Houston (21-4), Detroit (20-5) and Utah (20-5). The last time three teams established the feat was 2004: San Antonio (20-5), Phoenix (22-3) and Seattle (20-5).