Nets-Celtics Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
Posted Nov 24 2010 12:21AM

The Boston Celtics may be without Rajon Rondo again, but so far Nate Robinson is filling in nicely. Facing the New Jersey Nets may soften the blow of another absence by the NBA's assists leader.

The Celtics may have Robinson starting at the point again as they look to re-establish their dominance of the Nets on Wednesday night at TD Garden.

Boston (10-4) isn't sure if Rondo is healthy enough to return from a strained left hamstring that has forced him to miss two games, leaving the team without the speedy guard's 14.3 assists per game.

While Rondo's continued absence could turn into a major problem, Robinson has been impressive in his first two starts of 2010-11.

The guard scored 16 points and dished out a season-high 10 assists in a 99-76 win at Atlanta on Monday. That effort came a night after Robinson put up a season-high 22 points only to see Boston lose 102-101 at Toronto in a performance the team used as motivation against the Hawks.

"Guys were (ticked) off," said swingman Paul Pierce, who had 13 points Monday and leads the team with an average of 19.9. "That's the way we should be every night. We should never have to use losses to motivate us."

The Celtics may find themselves in a similar situation against the Nets (5-9) after losing the most recent matchup 104-96 at home on Feb. 27 with Pierce out injured. That defeat ended their 12-game winning streak in the series, including a five-game run at home.

Potentially having Rondo back could help Boston begin working on a new winning streak. He's hitting 67.2 percent of his shots to average 18 points and 9.2 assists over the last six meetings with New Jersey.

Robinson hasn't been nearly that effective, averaging 12.2 points and 3.3 assists in his last six games against the Atlantic Division rival with Boston and New York.

The Nets are looking to win consecutive games for the first time since beginning the season 2-0, and will likely rely on center Brook Lopez and guard Devin Harris to do it.

The duo came up big in Tuesday's 107-101 win over Atlanta, as Lopez connected on 12 of 19 for a season-high 32 points and nine rebounds while Harris scored 27 points with nine assists. Following the win coach Avery Johnson explained that he challenged the team's co-captains during a 1-3 road trip, which was capped with a 107-103 loss at Denver on Saturday.

"They've been challenged behind the scenes," Johnson said. "Two guys that we rely heavily upon came through. Now what I'm showing them is if they can consistently have that aggression and that attacking attitude, it makes us a better ball club. They don't have many nights with this team where they can take off."

Lopez leads the Nets with 18.3 points per game, while Harris is second at 17.6. They combined for 48 points, eight rebounds and eight assists at Boston in February.

Motivating his players isn't the only thing that's kept Johnson busy. He suspended Terrence Williams for two games Tuesday after the swingman repeatedly broke team rules.

Johnson wouldn't give specifics, but stated that Williams - averaging 6.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists - has been fined a couple of times, and the message hasn't sunk in.

Copyright 2010 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

Celtics lose West, but Shaq leads them past Nets

By JIMMY GOLEN
Posted Nov 24 2010 11:06PM

BOSTON(AP) Rajon Rondo is out with a hamstring injury, Delonte West broke his wrist Wednesday night and fourth-string point guard Marquis Daniels nearly threw his back out when he committed an unforgivable no-no.

He tried to help Shaquille O'Neal - all 345 pounds or more of him - up from the floor.

"No one lifts Shaq," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said, smirking. "I told them that."

It was one of the only times that O'Neal needed help against New Jersey, scoring a season-high 25 points and even hitting four straight free throws as Boston came back to beat the Nets 89-83. O'Neal also matched his season high with 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double.

"I told him he looked like the 2000 Shaq. (Also) the 1999 Shaq, the 2001 and 2002 to 2003 to 2004 to 2005 to 2006," Celtics forward Kevin Garnett said. "He definitely was the target tonight. We rode him."

O'Neal scored Boston's first six points and had eight in the first quarter as the Celtics found him underneath for easy lay-ins. He went 9 for 10 from the floor and 7 for 13 from the line - 5 for 8 in the fourth quarter alone as the Nets resorted to Hack-a-Shaq to get back into the game.

"They were very unselfish, I go to the hole and got a lot of easy baskets," O'Neal said. "That's kind of how I want to play at 38."

Paul Pierce scored 18 points, and Ray Allen had 15 points and seven assists for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who have won consecutive games after losing two straight for the first time all season. But this one was thanks to O'Neal, who signed with the Celtics for the veteran's minimum in search of his fifth NBA title.

"Shaq played great tonight," Nets forward Kris Humphries said. "He made free throws. His teammates did a great job of finding him under the basket. A lot of his baskets were just getting it and putting it in. They got him going early and that was a key to the game."

It was the most points O'Neal has scored since the end of the 2008-09 season, when he was with Phoenix. The crowd showed its gratitude, cheering his free throws in the fourth quarter and breaking into a "Shaq! Shaq!" chant.

"I know people appreciate my hard work," he said. "This is a great team. Best team I've been on. We've got a lot, a lot of weapons. Anybody on this team can be the leading scorer. The shots are there, but they drop off. They could have easily have shot."

O'Neal also gave the crowd a chuckle when Daniels tried pull him up from the floor. O'Neal kind of spun around without gaining any altitude; Daniels gave up and walked away, laughing.

"We worked on that. We were planning that," Daniels said. "That was one of his dance moves."

Daniels played a season-high 29 minutes because Rondo missed his third straight game with a strained hamstring and West broke his right wrist late in the first half when he crashed to the floor after a layup. West stayed there, grimacing in pain, until the medical staff came to help him. A few minutes later, he walked off, holding his right arm in his left, still in obvious pain.

Rivers said it was a compound fracture. "It's going to be a long time. Let's put it that way," he said.

Devin Harris scored 20 points for the Nets, hitting back-to-back baskets in the final 2 minutes to help New Jersey cut the deficit to 82-78. But Nate Robinson hit a 3-pointer, then fed Garnett with a bounce pass for a layup that made it 87-78 with 39 seconds left.

Anthony Morrow scored 18 points, Brook Lopez had 16 and Humphries had 11 rebounds for the Nets, who lost three out of four to the Celtics last season but did win 104-96 in Boston on Feb. 27 for just their sixth victory of the season.

Again the Nets came to Boston looking to make it a half-dozen wins, this time more than three months earlier. They went in front in the second quarter and took a 10-point lead in the third, but the Celtics sped by them early in the fourth quarter - thanks to O'Neal.

The 38-year-old center sank a pair of free throws with 9:41 left to tie it, then finished an alley-oop from Allen to give the Celtics a 67-65 lead. He went back to the line with 7:06 to play and made both foul shots to give Boston a five-point lead; he was fouled again the next time down and missed both.

NOTES: New Jersey's Terrence Williams missed his second consecutive game for repeated violations of team rules. Coach Avery Johnson said the team will make a decision by Friday on how to proceed. ... It's the most points O'Neal has scored since March 18, 2009.

Copyright 2010 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

Nets-Celtics notebook

By Brian Robb, for NBA.com
Posted Wednesday November 24, 2010 11:07PM

THE FACTS: Shaquille O'Neal played his best game in a Celtics uniform, leading Boston back from a 10-point deficit, as it defeated the New Jersey Nets 89-83 at TD Garden. On a night when The Big Three struggled with their shot for the better part of three quarters, O'Neal carried the load, posting a season-high 25 points and 11 rebounds. Devin Harris posted 20 points for New Jersey in the loss. Despite the win, Boston's bench unit took a major hit, as guard Delonte West broke his right (non-shooting) wrist. He is expected to miss several weeks of action.

QUOTABLE: "This is a great team. The best team I've been on. We've got a lot of weapons on this team. On any given night, anyone can be the leading scorer, it's a very unselfish team. Great game, great team effort, we just have to keep it going."
-- O'Neal

THE STAT: The Celtics pulled out the win, but not without their struggles during the first half. After opening the game shooting 7-for-12 from the field, Boston missed 13 of its next 14 shots over the next eight minutes spanning over the first and second quarters. New Jersey turned a four-point deficit into an eight-point lead over this juncture, forcing the Celtics to rally during the second half.

TURNING POINT: Boston rode O'Neal for much of their second half comeback, but it was Paul Pierce who took command in the game's closing moments. Leading by just one point with three minutes remaining, Pierce keyed the Celtics' 9-1 run with three clutch mid-range jumpers and an assist on Ray Allen's 3-pointer, putting the game out of reach.

HOT: O'Neal continues to be the best bargain free-agent pickup at center of the offseason. Since returning a five game absence, O'Neal has been a force in the middle, averaging 13.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in just 23 minutes. The veteran center is also hitting 69.2 percent from the field over the seven game stretch, providing the C's with their best low post presence in years.

NOT: Celtics center Semih Erden, who is fighting through a left shoulder injury, had the worst outing of his young career. The Turkish import looked lost on the floor, missing four shots in just two minutes of action, before mercifully being pulled from the game by head coach Doc Rivers early in the second quarter.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Nets sharpshooter Anthony Morrow continued his strong stretch of games, posting 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting. The former Warrior is trending upward, averaging 16.8 points in his past five games, over four points above his season average.

GOOD MOVE: With West and Rajon Rondo injured, and Nate Robinson on the bench with foul trouble, Rivers stuck with Marquis Daniels for the majority of the second half at the point guard position. Daniels responded, using his length to limit New Jersey's point guards offensively, while also posting a balanced line of four points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals for the night.

ROOKIE WATCH: New Jersey power forward Derrick Favors had a solid, but unspectacular stint off the bench for the Nets, with four points and four rebounds in 15 minutes.

NOTABLE: West left the game at the 2:46 mark in the second quarter. The Celtics guard injured his non-shooting wrist falling to the ground hard after attempting a layup over a New Jersey defender. West also missed 16 games with the same injury while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2008-09 season. Boston shot just three free throws in the first half. The Celtics outscored New Jersey in the paint 44-28.

UP NEXT: For the Nets, Saturday @ Philadelphia, Sunday vs. Portland, Tuesday @ New York. For the Celtics, Friday vs. Toronto, Tuesday @ Cleveland, Wednesday vs. Portland.

• Nets: Murphy, Ross, Williams
• Celtics: O'Neal, Perkins, Rondo

• Nets: --
• Celtics: --

• Lead Changes: 2
• Times Tied: 6

• Arena: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Officials: #43 Dan Crawford, #30 John Goble, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 18624
• Duration: 2:16

New Jersey Nets (5-10)		Boston Celtics (11-4)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball O'Neal vs Lopez (Robinson gains possession)
	11:37 [BOS 2-0]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Garnett (1 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	11:20
	11:19	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:11	Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed
Morrow Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:10
	10:58	Robinson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Harris Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	10:58 [NJN 1-2]
Harris Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	10:58 [NJN 2-2]
Harris Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:46
	10:36 [BOS 4-2]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Robinson (1 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed Block: Garnett (1 BLK)	10:14
	10:13	Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:03	Garnett Turnaround Fade Away shot: Missed
Morrow Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:01
Outlaw Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:56 [NJN 4-4]
	09:37	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:35
Outlaw 3pt Shot: Missed	09:26
	09:25	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:13 [BOS 6-4]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)
Harris 3pt Shot: Missed	08:45
	08:44	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Lopez Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	08:24
	08:24 [BOS 7-4]	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	08:24	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Outlaw Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:14
Lopez Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Harris (1 AST)	08:07 [NJN 6-7]
Lopez Violation:Kicked Ball	07:54
	07:47	O'Neal Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
Harris Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:45
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	07:26
	07:25	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:15 [BOS 9-6]	Robinson Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	06:58	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Harris Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	06:58 [NJN 7-9]
Harris Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	06:58 [NJN 8-9]
	06:41 [BOS 11-8]	O'Neal Slam Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	06:30
	06:30	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Davis
Harris Substitution replaced by Farmar	06:30
Outlaw Jump Shot: Missed	06:23
	06:22	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	06:07 [BOS 14-8]	Allen 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Davis (1 AST)
Morrow Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	05:38 [NJN 10-14]
	05:14	Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed
Humphries Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:13
Morrow Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Farmar (1 AST)	04:56 [NJN 12-14]
	04:45 [BOS 16-12]	Davis Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Robinson (2 AST)
	04:38	Robinson Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	04:38	Robinson Substitution replaced by West
Outlaw Substitution replaced by James	04:38
Morrow Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Garnett (1 ST)	04:27
	04:20	Pierce Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
Farmar Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:19
James Jump Shot: Missed	03:57
	03:56	Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	03:39	Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed
Humphries Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:39
	03:28	Davis Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Farmar Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:28
Team Rebound	03:28
	03:28	Garnett Substitution replaced by Erden
Humphries Substitution replaced by Favors	03:28
	03:28	Team Timeout : Regular
Farmar Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	03:28 [NJN 13-16]
	03:16	Erden Layup Shot: Missed Block: Lopez (1 BLK)
	03:15	Team Rebound
	03:13	Erden Layup Shot: Missed
Favors Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:12
Lopez Hook Shot: Missed	02:50
	02:49	Team Rebound
	02:39	West Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed
	02:38	Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
James Foul : Personal (1 PF)	02:30
	02:30	Pierce Substitution replaced by Daniels
	02:24 [BOS 18-13]	Davis Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: West (1 AST)
Morrow Pullup Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)	01:54 [NJN 15-18]
	01:42	Erden Reverse Layup Shot: Missed Block: Favors (1 BLK)
	01:40	Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	01:34	Allen Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)
Lopez Substitution replaced by Petro	01:34
Morrow Running Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS)	01:19 [NJN 17-18]
	01:09	Erden Jump Shot: Missed
Farmar Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	01:08
Favors Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)	00:59.2
	00:59.2	Erden Substitution replaced by Harangody
	00:48.9	Allen Jump Shot: Missed
	00:47.9	Harangody Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	00:34.9	Harangody Reverse Layup Shot: Missed Block: James (1 BLK)
James Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:33.9
Farmar Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	00:18.0
	00:18.0	Harangody Substitution replaced by Robinson
Morrow Substitution replaced by Graham	00:18.0
	00:05.9	West Driving Layup Shot: Missed
James Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:04.6
End of 1st Quarter
New Jersey Nets (5-10)		Boston Celtics (11-4)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Favors Jump Shot: Missed	11:45
	11:44	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	11:26	Daniels Jump Shot: Missed
Favors Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	11:25
Petro Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:O'Neal (1 ST)	11:12
	10:59	Jump Ball Davis vs Petro (Favors gains possession)
	10:59	Davis Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Petro (1 ST)
Petro Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Harris (2 AST)	10:41 [NJN 19-18]
	10:23	Robinson Turnover : Poss Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)
Farmar 3pt Shot: Missed	10:06
Favors Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	10:05
Petro Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Farmar (2 AST)	09:52 [NJN 21-18]
	09:35	Robinson Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:35
Farmar Jump Shot: Made (3 PTS)	09:19 [NJN 23-18]
	08:53	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Favors Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	08:52
Petro Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Farmar (3 AST)	08:33 [NJN 25-18]
	08:23	Team Timeout : Regular
	08:23	West Substitution replaced by Pierce
	08:09 [BOS 20-25]	Robinson Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Daniels (1 AST)
James Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Farmar (4 AST)	07:50 [NJN 27-20]
	07:25 [BOS 22-27]	Daniels Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Harris Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	07:05 [NJN 29-22]
	06:55 [BOS 24-29]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Robinson (3 AST)
Favors Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	06:55
	06:55	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Petro Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:54
Favors Foul : Offensive Charge (2 PF)	06:42
Favors Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	06:42
Farmar Substitution replaced by Morrow	06:42
	06:29	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Petro Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:28
Harris Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	06:23 [NJN 31-24]
	06:23	Robinson Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
	06:23	Robinson Substitution replaced by Allen
	06:23	Davis Substitution replaced by Garnett
	06:23	Daniels Substitution replaced by West
Harris Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed	06:23
	06:17	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	06:07 [BOS 26-31]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: West (2 AST)
	05:55	O'Neal Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	05:55
Favors Substitution replaced by Lopez	05:55
Petro Substitution replaced by Humphries	05:55
	05:48	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	05:48 [NJN 32-26]
	05:48	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Davis
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	05:48 [NJN 33-26]
Harris Foul : Personal Block (2 PF)	05:41
	05:34	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Humphries Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	05:33
Harris Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:West (1 ST)	05:12
	05:06 [BOS 28-33]	Garnett Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Pierce (1 AST)
Humphries Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lopez (1 AST)	04:40 [NJN 35-28]
	04:18 [BOS 30-35]	Garnett Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Allen (3 AST)
	04:01	Davis Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
James Substitution replaced by Outlaw	04:01
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	04:01 [NJN 36-30]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	04:01 [NJN 37-30]
	03:46 [BOS 32-37]	Davis Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Morrow 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Humphries (1 AST)	03:26 [NJN 40-32]
	03:16 [BOS 34-40]	West Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Humphries Jump Shot: Missed	02:57
	02:54	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	02:48 [BOS 36-40]	West Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
	02:43	Pierce Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:43
	02:43	West Substitution replaced by Daniels
Harris Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	02:43 [NJN 41-36]
Harris Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	02:43 [NJN 42-36]
	02:27	Pierce Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed Block: Humphries (1 BLK)
	02:27	Team Rebound
Harris Substitution replaced by Farmar	02:27
	02:25 [BOS 38-42]	Pierce Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Allen (4 AST)
Lopez Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Farmar (5 AST)	02:00 [NJN 44-38]
	01:43	Daniels Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Farmar Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)	01:23 [NJN 46-38]
	01:02	Davis Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)
Farmar Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Garnett (2 ST)	00:46.8
	00:36.9	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Morrow Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:35.9
Outlaw Jump Shot: Missed	00:28.8
	00:26.9	Allen Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:22.3	Team Timeout : Short
Outlaw Substitution replaced by James	00:22.3
	00:04.9	Allen Jump Shot: Missed
Humphries Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	00:03.8
Farmar 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 2nd Quarter
New Jersey Nets (5-10)		Boston Celtics (11-4)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Lopez Jump Bank Shot: Made (10 PTS)	11:48 [NJN 48-38]
	11:32	Garnett Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	11:32	Garnett Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
	11:20	Robinson Foul : Loose Ball (4 PF)
	11:20	Robinson Substitution replaced by Daniels
Outlaw Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	11:08
	10:58	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed
Outlaw Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:57
Humphries Layup Shot: Missed Block: Daniels (1 BLK)	10:35
	10:34	Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:28	Allen 3pt Shot: Missed
Humphries Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	10:27
Lopez Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Allen (1 ST)	10:20
Harris Foul : Personal (3 PF)	10:15
	10:03	Garnett Layup Shot: Missed
	10:03	O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
Humphries Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:03
	10:03 [BOS 39-48]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)
	10:03 [BOS 40-48]	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)
Harris Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Daniels (1 ST)	09:46
	09:35	Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Missed
	09:34	Team Rebound
Lopez Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)	09:34
	09:26	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Morrow Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	09:25
Outlaw Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)	09:02
	08:47	Allen Jump Shot: Missed
Humphries Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	08:45
Humphries Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Pierce (1 ST)	08:32
	08:27	Daniels Layup Shot: Missed
	08:26	Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	08:26 [BOS 42-48]	Allen Putback Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	08:24
Lopez Hook Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Harris (3 AST)	08:07 [NJN 50-42]
	07:49 [BOS 44-50]	Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Garnett (2 AST)
Morrow Jump Shot: Missed Block: Allen (1 BLK)	07:26
Humphries Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	07:24
Harris 3pt Shot: Missed	07:21
	07:20	O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	07:10	Garnett Jump Shot: Missed
Harris Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:07
Morrow 3pt Shot: Missed	07:03
	07:01	Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	06:55 [BOS 46-50]	Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Outlaw 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Harris (4 AST)	06:29 [NJN 53-46]
	06:14 [BOS 48-53]	O'Neal Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Allen (5 AST)
Harris Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)	05:51 [NJN 55-48]
	05:29 [BOS 50-55]	O'Neal Slam Dunk Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Daniels (2 AST)
Harris Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Allen (2 ST)	05:02
Harris Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	04:59
Harris Substitution replaced by Farmar	04:59
	04:59 [BOS 51-55]	Allen Free Throw 1 of 2 (6 PTS)
	04:59 [BOS 52-55]	Allen Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	04:37
	04:36	Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:27	Allen Layup Shot: Missed Block: Humphries (2 BLK)
	04:27	Team Rebound
	04:21	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
	04:20	Team Rebound
Lopez Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)	04:20
	04:20	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:20	Team Rebound
	04:20	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Outlaw Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	04:18
Farmar Pullup Jump shot: Made (7 PTS)	04:02 [NJN 57-52]
	03:47 [BOS 54-57]	Garnett Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Allen (6 AST)
	03:27	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
	03:27	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Davis
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	03:27 [NJN 58-54]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	03:27 [NJN 59-54]
	03:11 [BOS 57-59]	Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Davis (2 AST)
Farmar Turnaround Fade Away shot: Missed	02:44
	02:42	Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	02:24	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Outlaw Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	02:23
Outlaw Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Daniels (2 ST)	02:20
	02:05	Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed
Outlaw Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	02:04
Morrow Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Garnett (3 ST)	01:44
	01:40	Allen Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)
	01:40	Team Timeout : Regular
Outlaw Substitution replaced by James	01:40
Humphries Substitution replaced by Favors	01:40
Lopez Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Allen (3 ST)	01:24
	01:20 [BOS 59-59]	Allen Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Daniels (3 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Farmar (6 AST)	00:56.3 [NJN 61-59]
	00:40.9	Garnett Jump Hook Shot: Missed
James Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:39.6
Favors Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Farmar (7 AST)	00:26.4 [NJN 63-59]
	00:03.6 [BOS 61-63]	Daniels Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Pierce (2 AST)
End of 3rd Quarter
New Jersey Nets (5-10)		Boston Celtics (11-4)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:36	Pierce Step Back Jump shot: Missed
James Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	11:36
Morrow Foul : Offensive (1 PF)	11:21
Morrow Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	11:21
	10:59	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Petro Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	10:58
Farmar Pullup Jump shot: Missed	10:41
	10:39	Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Petro Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:31
Favors Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	10:26
	10:26 [BOS 62-63]	Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	10:26 [BOS 63-63]	Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Morrow Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS)	10:05 [NJN 65-63]
	09:42	Davis Layup Shot: Missed Block: James (2 BLK)
	09:41	O'Neal Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
Petro Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	09:41
	09:41	Pierce Substitution replaced by Allen
	09:41 [BOS 64-65]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS)
	09:41 [BOS 65-65]	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (20 PTS)
Favors Layup Shot: Missed Block: Davis (1 BLK)	09:17
	09:15	Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	09:11 [BOS 67-65]	O'Neal Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Allen (7 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	09:09
James Substitution replaced by Lopez	08:56
Petro Substitution replaced by Harris	08:56
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	08:38
Lopez Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	08:37
Favors Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Harris (5 AST)	08:24 [NJN 67-67]
	08:07 [BOS 70-67]	Allen 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Daniels (4 AST)
Lopez Layup Shot: Missed Block: Davis (2 BLK)	07:42
	07:41	Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	07:36	Davis Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	07:36	Davis Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Favors Substitution replaced by Humphries	07:36
Morrow Substitution replaced by Outlaw	07:36
Outlaw Jump Shot: Missed	07:19
Lopez Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	07:18
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	07:15
	07:15	Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	07:07	Daniels Jump Shot: Missed
	07:06	O'Neal Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)
Humphries Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	07:06
	07:06	Wafer Substitution replaced by Pierce
	07:06 [BOS 71-67]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (23 PTS)
	07:06 [BOS 72-67]	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (24 PTS)
	06:53	Pierce Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	06:53
Team Rebound	06:53
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	06:53
	06:53	Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Lopez Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	06:45
	06:45	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	06:45	Team Rebound
	06:45	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	06:43
Outlaw Jump Shot: Missed	06:20
	06:19	O'Neal Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)
	05:59	Davis Jump Shot: Missed
Humphries Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	05:58
Farmar 3pt Shot: Missed	05:39
Farmar Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	05:39
Farmar 3pt Shot: Missed	05:39
Humphries Rebound (Off:2 Def:7)	05:38
Farmar 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Humphries (2 AST)	05:35 [NJN 70-72]
	05:35	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:35	Davis Substitution replaced by Robinson
	05:35	Daniels Substitution replaced by Garnett
	05:24	Pierce Jump Shot: Missed
	05:23	Team Rebound
Outlaw Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	05:23
	05:23	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	05:23	Team Rebound
	05:23 [BOS 73-70]	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 (25 PTS)
Harris Running Bank shot: Made (14 PTS)	05:09 [NJN 72-73]
	04:48	Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed
Humphries Rebound (Off:2 Def:8)	04:48
Harris Jump Shot: Missed	04:26
	04:24	Team Rebound
Outlaw Substitution replaced by Morrow	04:23
	04:11 [BOS 75-72]	Pierce Driving Jump shot: Made (12 PTS)
Morrow Jump Shot: Missed	03:40
Team Rebound	03:40
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	03:40
	03:26 [BOS 78-72]	Allen 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Pierce (3 AST)
	03:10	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (5 PF)
Harris Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:10
Team Rebound	03:10
Harris Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	03:10 [NJN 73-78]
	02:52 [BOS 80-73]	Pierce Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (14 PTS)
Humphries Jump Shot: Missed	02:30
Lopez Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	02:29
Lopez Jump Hook Shot: Missed	02:25
Humphries Rebound (Off:3 Def:8)	02:22
Humphries Tip Shot: Missed	02:22
	02:21	O'Neal Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)
	02:04 [BOS 82-73]	Pierce Pullup Jump shot: Made (16 PTS)
Team Timeout : Short	02:04
	02:04
Harris 3pt Shot: Made (18 PTS)	01:46 [NJN 76-82]
	01:32	Garnett Foul : Offensive (2 PF)
	01:32	Garnett Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Harris Floating Jump shot: Made (20 PTS)	01:16 [NJN 78-82]
	00:56.7 [BOS 85-78]	Robinson 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Pierce (4 AST)
Farmar 3pt Shot: Missed	00:44.9
	00:43.7	O'Neal Rebound (Off:3 Def:8)
	00:38.3 [BOS 87-78]	Garnett Slam Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Robinson (4 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	00:38.3
	00:38.3	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Davis
Team Timeout : Short	00:38.3
	00:32.9	Robinson Foul : Shooting (5 PF)
Morrow Free Throw 1 of 3 (14 PTS)	00:32.9 [NJN 79-87]
Morrow Free Throw 2 of 3 (15 PTS)	00:32.9 [NJN 80-87]
Morrow Free Throw 3 of 3 (16 PTS)	00:32.9 [NJN 81-87]
	00:27.9	Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Harris (1 ST)
Harris Layup Shot: Missed	00:26.3
	00:25.3	Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	00:25.3	Jump Ball Allen vs Harris
	00:23.7	Team Timeout : Regular
	00:23.7	Davis Substitution replaced by Daniels
Humphries Substitution replaced by James	00:23.7
Farmar Foul : Personal Take (1 PF)	00:23.2
	00:23.2	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:23.2	Team Rebound
	00:23.2	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
James Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	00:22.9
Morrow 3pt Shot: Missed	00:12.9
	00:11.9	Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
Harris Foul : Personal Take (5 PF)	00:10.8
	00:10.8 [BOS 88-81]	Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)
	00:10.8 [BOS 89-81]	Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)
Morrow Driving Layup Shot: Made (18 PTS)	00:03.8 [NJN 83-89]
End of 4th Quarter

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