GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

<h3>Garnett, Celtics begin highly anticipated season vs. Wizards</h3>

<div class="pre">Washington (0-1) at Boston (0-0) 8:00 pm EDT</div>

BOSTON (Ticker) - Kevin Garnett and the new-look Boston Celticshope to start their season on a positive note Friday when theyhost the Washington Wizards.


Boston, which went 24-58 last season, received a charge when it<div class="pre">acquired Garnett - a 10-time All-Star - on July 31 in a</div>multi-player deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Garnett, whospent all of his career in Minnesota, has averaged 20.5 points and11.4 rebounds over 12 seasons.


The Garnett acquisition came on the heels of the Celticstrading for seven-time All-Star Ray Allen on June 28 in adraft-day deal with the Seattle Supersonics that involved fiveplayers. Allen averaged 21.5 points in 11 seasons withMilwaukee and Seattle.


With Garnett and Allen joining five-time All-Star Paul Pierce,the Boston faithful has title thoughts on its minds for thefirst time since the last 'Big Three' (Larry Bird, Robert Parrish,Kevin McHale) led the team to its 16th NBA championship in 1986.

The three All-Stars, who have a combined 32 years of NBAexperience, will lean on second-year point guard Rajon Rondo toget them the ball where they want it. Fourth-year centerKendrick Perkins is the other member of the starting five.

Pierce, however, knows all of the accomplishments by his newteammates doesnt guarantee a thing before the games are played.

"We by no means feel like we're kings of the East," Pierce said."We've got to go out there and show it because we've got atarget on our back. We've got to be ready every day becauseeverybody's looking at the commercials, the magazine coversseeing all that stuff."


The first test of the superstar trio will come againstWashington, winner of four straight against Boston, includingthree last season.


The Wizards lost, 119-110, in overtime to Indiana on Wednesdayin their season opener. A ll-Star Gilbert Arenas, who pacedWashington with 34 points, drilled a 3-pointer to send thecontest into overtime, but his team could not capitalize on hisbig shot. Antawn Jamison had 27 points and 16 rebounds and CaronButler added 19 and 11 for the Wizards, who haven't started 0-2since the 1997-98 season.

 

Re: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

Stage is Set For New-Look Celtics</p>
<div class="articleBody">

A whirlwind offseason has left the Boston Celtics with very high hopes for a team that finished with the NBA's second-worst record in 2006-07.</p>

Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce debut as the Celtics' formidable new core Friday when Boston hosts the Washington Wizards.</p>

The Celtics went 24-58 last season and missed the playoffs for the second straight time. Even though that record gave them the second-best chance of getting the first pick in the draft, and the right to select Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, they ended up with just the No. 5 pick.</p>

That turn of events, however, set into motion a pair of deals that turned Boston into an immediate contender in the East.</p>

The Celtics sent point guard Delonte West and the No. 5 pick to Seattle for star guard Allen on draft night. That acquisition made Boston more attractive to Minnesota's Garnett, who eventually agreed to be traded from the Timberwolves in a deal for five players, two conditional first-round picks and cash consideration.</p>

The blockbuster moves suddenly had Celtics fans thinking back to the days of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish - a trio that led the team to three championships in the 1980s.</p>

Allen and Garnett join Pierce, who has spent the first nine years of his career with the Celtics. Though Pierce has averaged 23.6 points per game, the Celtics have won just three playoff series with him.</p>

Last season, the Celtics set a franchise record with 18 straight losses and posted their second-worst mark in their 62 seasons. It's no wonder Pierce is enjoying himself more this season.</p>

"I'm having a lot of fun each and every day,'' Pierce said.</p>

Garnett, a 10-time All-Star, has spent all of his 12 seasons with the Timberwolves, averaging 20.5 points and 11.4 rebounds. Allen, a seven-time All-Star, has averaged 21.5 points in 11 seasons with Milwaukee and Seattle.</p>

Still, Pierce knows that adding Allen and Garnett doesn't guarantee the Celtics their first title since 1986.</p>

"We by no means feel like we're kings of the East,'' he said. "We've got to go out there and show it. We've got a target on our back. We've got to be ready every day because everybody's looking at the commercials, the magazine covers seeing all that stuff.''</p>

The Celtics will need contributions from the rest of their roster if they hope to contend for the conference championship. Rajon Rondo, 21 and in just his second season, will take over as the starting point guard after averaging 6.4 points, 3.8 assists and 23.5 minutes last season.</p>

Boston will also rely on veteran newcomers Eddie House, James Posey and Scot Pollard off the bench.</p>

"It takes time,'' coach Doc Rivers said. "It looks like it's close, but we haven't been tested. We haven't gone through anything yet. So I understand it's going to take a while. Hopefully, each day we're better.''</p>

The first test of the superstar trio will come against Washington, winner of four straight against Boston, including three last season.</p>

The Wizards lost 119-110 in overtime to Indiana on Wednesday in their season opener. Gilbert Arenas hit a 3-pointer to force the extra period and paced Washington with 34 points.</p>

"I never doubt myself,'' he said. "I did it again, but it wasn't enough to bring us to victory.''</p>

The game was the first in the regular season since April 4 for Arenas, who missed the final eight games and the playoffs last season with a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. Arenas ranked third in the NBA last season with 28.4 points per game.</p>

Antawn Jamison had 27 points and 16 rebounds and Caron Butler, who missed the final 10 regular season games and the playoffs last season with a broken right hand, had 19 points and 11 boards for the Wizards.</p>

"Everyone came out and played hard,'' Arenas said of the defeat. "It's not the end of the world. They're a good ballclub.''</p>
<div>
Copyright 2007 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited</div>
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2007-08 Stats at a Glance</td>
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<td width="235" nowrap="nowrap" align="center">News | Players | Stats | Schedule</td>
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<td class="inTxtB" colspan="2">Washington Wizards - 2006</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">Record:</td>
<td class="inTxt">41 - 41 (.500)</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">Standings:</td>
<td class="inTxt">Second, Southeast</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">At Home:</td>
<td class="inTxt">26 - 15</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">At Road:</td>
<td class="inTxt">15 - 26</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">Streak:</td>
<td class="inTxt">W 1</td>
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<td class="inTxtB" colspan="2">Boston Celtics - 2006</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">Record:</td>
<td class="inTxt">24 - 58 (.293)</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">Standings:</td>
<td class="inTxt">Fifth, Atlantic</td>
</tr>
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<td class="inTxtB">At Home:</td>
<td class="inTxt">12 - 29</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">At Road:</td>
<td class="inTxt">12 - 29</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">Streak:</td>
<td class="inTxt">L 1</td>
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<td align="center" class="hr" colspan="4">Season - 2006</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">PPG:</td>
<td class="inTxt">104.3</td>
<td class="inTxtB">Opp PPG:</td>
<td class="inTxt">104.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxtB">FG%:</td>
<td class="inTxt">.450</td>
<td class="inTxtB">Opp FG%:</td>
<td class="inTxt">.473</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxtB">RPG:</td>
<td class="inTxt">41.2</td>
<td class="inTxtB">Opp RPG:</td>
<td class="inTxt">43.0</td>
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<td align="center" class="hr" colspan="4">Season - 2006</td>
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<td class="inTxtB">PPG:</td>
<td class="inTxt">95.8</td>
<td class="inTxtB">Opp PPG:</td>
<td class="inTxt">99.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxtB">FG%:</td>
<td class="inTxt">.443</td>
<td class="inTxtB">Opp FG%:</td>
<td class="inTxt">.468</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxtB">RPG:</td>
<td class="inTxt">40.4</td>
<td class="inTxtB">Opp RPG:</td>
<td class="inTxt">40.5</td>
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<td align="left">Back to Top</td>
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<td align="center">
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<td width="235" valign="top" nowrap="nowrap">
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2" border="0">
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<td width="115" class="inTxtB">Player</td>
<td width="30" class="inTxtB">G</td>
<td width="30" class="inTxtB">PPG</td>
<td width="30" class="inTxtB">RPG</td>
<td width="30" class="inTxtB">APG</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Arenas, G</td>
<td class="inTxt">74</td>
<td class="inTxt">28.4</td>
<td class="inTxt">4.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">6.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Jamison, A</td>
<td class="inTxt">70</td>
<td class="inTxt">19.8</td>
<td class="inTxt">8.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Butler, C</td>
<td class="inTxt">63</td>
<td class="inTxt">19.1</td>
<td class="inTxt">7.4</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Stevenson, D</td>
<td class="inTxt">82</td>
<td class="inTxt">11.2</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Songaila, D</td>
<td class="inTxt">37</td>
<td class="inTxt">7.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Hayes, J</td>
<td class="inTxt">81</td>
<td class="inTxt">7.2</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Daniels, A</td>
<td class="inTxt">80</td>
<td class="inTxt">7.1</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.9</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Haywood, B</td>
<td class="inTxt">77</td>
<td class="inTxt">6.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">6.2</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Thomas, E</td>
<td class="inTxt">65</td>
<td class="inTxt">6.1</td>
<td class="inTxt">5.8</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Blatche, A</td>
<td class="inTxt">56</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.7</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.4</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Mason, R</td>
<td class="inTxt">62</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.7</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.7</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Taylor, D</td>
<td class="inTxt">47</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.7</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.1</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Booth, C</td>
<td class="inTxt">44</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.8</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Hall, M</td>
<td class="inTxt">2</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Ruffin, M</td>
<td class="inTxt">30</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.1</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.2</td>
</tr>
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<td colspan="5">
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<td width="80" class="ch">Head Coach:</td>
<td>Eddie Jordan</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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</td>
<td width="5" align="center"></td>
<td width="235" valign="top" nowrap="nowrap">
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2" border="0">
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<td width="115" class="inTxtB">Player</td>
<td width="30" class="inTxtB">G</td>
<td width="30" class="inTxtB">PPG</td>
<td width="30" class="inTxtB">RPG</td>
<td width="30" class="inTxtB">APG</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Pierce, P</td>
<td class="inTxt">47</td>
<td class="inTxt">25.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">5.9</td>
<td class="inTxt">4.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Jefferson, A</td>
<td class="inTxt">69</td>
<td class="inTxt">16.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">11.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Szczerbiak, W</td>
<td class="inTxt">32</td>
<td class="inTxt">15.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.1</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">West, D</td>
<td class="inTxt">69</td>
<td class="inTxt">12.2</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">4.4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Gomes, R</td>
<td class="inTxt">73</td>
<td class="inTxt">12.1</td>
<td class="inTxt">5.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Allen, T</td>
<td class="inTxt">33</td>
<td class="inTxt">11.5</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.8</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Green, G</td>
<td class="inTxt">81</td>
<td class="inTxt">10.4</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.6</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Rondo, R</td>
<td class="inTxt">78</td>
<td class="inTxt">6.4</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.7</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Ray, A</td>
<td class="inTxt">47</td>
<td class="inTxt">6.2</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.5</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Telfair, S</td>
<td class="inTxt">78</td>
<td class="inTxt">6.1</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.4</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Perkins, K</td>
<td class="inTxt">72</td>
<td class="inTxt">4.5</td>
<td class="inTxt">5.2</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Powe, L</td>
<td class="inTxt">63</td>
<td class="inTxt">4.2</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.4</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Scalabrine, B</td>
<td class="inTxt">54</td>
<td class="inTxt">4.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.9</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Ratliff, T</td>
<td class="inTxt">2</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.5</td>
<td class="inTxt">3.5</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="inTxt">Olowokandi, M</td>
<td class="inTxt">24</td>
<td class="inTxt">1.7</td>
<td class="inTxt">2.0</td>
<td class="inTxt">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="5">
<table width="100%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="80" class="ch">Head Coach:</td>
<td>Doc Rivers</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

</p>

 

Re: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

A good early season test for the Celtics. The Wiz are healthy and hungry to prove they are the team everyone saw last January.</p>

Should be a good game.</p>

 

Re: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

And Arenas promised a W. lol</p>

 

Re: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

I just bet 500 on sportsbook on the Celtics.</p>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">WASHINGTON AT BOSTON - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS

REVISED LINEUPS

WASHINGTON BOSTON

F Antawn Jamison F Kevin Garnett
F Caron Butler F Paul Pierce
C Brendan Haywood C Kendrick Perkins
G DeShawn Stevenson G Ray Allen
G Gilbert Arenas G Rajon Rondo

OFFICIALS: Dick Bavetta
Leroy Richardson
Sean Corbin</div>

 

Re: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

Watch the game guys. lol</p>

its on espn, or csn locally.</p>

GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA WASHINGTON 0
BOSTON 4 8:54 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA WASHINGTON 9
BOSTON 8 5:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

Re: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

Wow, the garden is really loud. Lots of new people on the bandwagon, I guess.</p>

The introductions were really exciting, though.</p>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA WASHINGTON 12
BOSTON 12 3:01 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA WASHINGTON 18
BOSTON 21 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 18 18
BOSTON 21 21 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

WAS - FOUR PLAYERS WITH 4
BOS - RAY ALLEN 7, KEVIN GARNETT 6, PAUL
PIERCE 4</div>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA WASHINGTON 24
BOSTON 35 8:44 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

Re: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

Our "weak" bench is taking over the game right now.</p>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA WASHINGTON 26
BOSTON 41 6:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA WASHINGTON 34
BOSTON 50 2:12 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA WASHINGTON 36
BOSTON 58 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: WASHINGTON at BOSTON

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
WASHINGTON 18 18 36
BOSTON 21 37 58 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

WAS - GILBERT ARENAS 10, CARON BUTLER 10,
ANTAWN JAMISON 6
BOS - PAUL PIERCE 19, RAY ALLEN 12, KEVIN
GARNETT 10</div>

 

Re: NBA: WASHINGTON (0-1) at BOSTON (0-0)

Kill me now.</p>