Boston Celtics Blog – Page 152 – NBA Blog

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.

[link below]

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.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2008/01/29/keith_ryan_at_37_attach_for_us_customs_in_pakistan/

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).

Coaches of Month: Rivers, Popovich

The Boston Celtics’ Doc Rivers and the San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in October and November.

Rivers guided the Celtics to a 13-2 (.867) record last month, including eight straight wins to open the season. Boston outscored opponents by a 13.7 ppg margin while holding teams to a .410 field goal percentage. The Celtics recorded a perfect 8-0 mark at TD Banknorth Garden, besting the opposition at home by 21.6 points over that stretch. Owners of the NBA’s top record at month’s end, the Celtics enjoyed the franchise’s best November since 1985-86 when Boston opened 13-1.

Popovich led the Spurs to a 14-3 (.824) record in October and November, tying the franchise record for best start after 17 games, last accomplished in 2005-06. San Antonio, which won five straight from Nov. 16 through Nov. 25, was a perfect 9-0 at AT&T Center. The Spurs committed a league-low 12.0 turnovers per game, including setting a franchise record low with three turnovers in a 128-110 win over Orlando on Nov. 21.

Other nominees for the Coach of the Month were Dallas’ Avery Johnson, Detroit’s Flip Saunders, Houston’s Rick Adelman, Orlando’s Stan Van Gundy, Phoenix’s Mike D’Antoni and Utah’s Jerry Sloan.

Gabe Pruitt back to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned rookie guard Gabe Pruitt to their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash. Pruitt is the team’s third assignment to the NBA Development League this season and the second time for Pruitt.

Pruitt was averaging 2.0 points and 1.3 assists in 6.0 minutes per game at the time of the assignment. The 6’4 guard had appeared in one game since his recall from the Flash on November 26, 2007. Pruitt played in 13 minutes against the New York Knicks on November 29 scoring two points, grabbing one rebound and recording four assists.

Celtics domination at home

NBA News: At an NBA-best 11-2, the Boston Celtics are off to one of the best starts in franchise history. They opened the season 8-0 — the fourth best start for this storied organization — and have yet to lose at TD Banknorth Garden, where they are 7-0. The Celtics, not only will look to remain perfect at home tonight when they host the New Knicks on national TV (8 p.m. ET, TNT), they’ll go for a knockout punch.

Boston has outscored its opponents at home by an average of 18.3 points, the highest point-differential in the league. The Utah Jazz ranks second in that category (16.7), followed by the San Antonio Spurs (14.1), the Denver Nuggets (13.5), and the Detroit Pistons (11.2).

At home, the Celtics are out-rebounding teams by an average of 6.4; dishing out 10.6 more assists; recording 10.6 steals per game compared to 7.9 for the opposition; and shooting .525 from the field, while holding teams to under 40 percent (.398).

Perhaps the most significant reason for the Celtics’ dominance at home has been how seamlessly Kevin Garnett has acclimated to his new surroundings. His averages at home include 22.1 points, 13.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists, and he’s shooting a blistering .604 from the field and .871 from the free throw line. His road averages are 19.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists, and his percentages from the field and charity stripe are .511 and .806, respectively.

Celtics recall Gabe Pruitt from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled rookie guard Gabe Pruitt from their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash.

Pruitt averaged 21.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 37.0 minutes per game for the Flash in two games. Pruitt hit the game-winner in the season opener for the Flash as they defeated the Anaheim Arsenal 110-109 on November 24 in which he scored 31 points and had eight assists. Pruitt has appeared in two games this season for the Celtics and has averaged 2.0 points per game.

Celtics assign Gabe Pruitt to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned rookie guard Gabe Pruitt to their NBA Development League affiliate Utah Flash. Pruitt is the team’s second assignment to the NBA Development League this season.

Pruitt was averaging 2.0 points and 0.5 assists in 3.0 minutes per game at the time of the assignment. Pruitt appeared in two games this season for the Celtics and was on the inactive list for six games. Pruitt appeared in six preseason games for the Celtics averaging 2.6 points while shooting .444 percent from the field. Pruitt averaged 5.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 22.4 minutes per game during the 2007 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.