Boston Celtics [39-9] @ Indiana Pacers [21-30]
| Tuesday, February 12 2008 | Indianapolis, Indlana| Conseco FIeldhouse| 7:00 pm ET |
| TV: FSIN | Radio: WIBC 1040 |
Game Notes
The All-Star that's led the Boston Celtics to the best record in the NBA might be out, but the All-Star that's led them for the past nine seasons is still around - and still playing awfully well.
Paul Pierce, fresh off his best game of the new year, looks to lead the Celtics to their fourth straight win without Kevin Garnett on Tuesday when they visit the Indiana Pacers.
Boston (39-9) has been without Garnett for the past seven games since he suffered an abdominal strain on Jan. 25, and it improved to 5-2 in those contests on Sunday with a 98-90 win against San Antonio -- its 16th victory in as many games against Western Conference opponents this season.
Pierce led the way with 35 points, his second-highest scoring game of the season. He scored 37 on Dec. 27 in a 104-96 win at Seattle.
"We just want to continue to play well, get through this part of the schedule where we can get some guys back off the injured list and go into the second half of the season," said Pierce, who's averaging 22.6 points over his last five games.
Garnett will miss this game and the Celtics' home matchup against New York on Wednesday, their last game before the All-Star break. Next week Boston will hit the road for five more games against West teams.
With Kendrick Perkins out due to a strained shoulder, little-used Leon Powe got his first career start against San Antonio following some strong play off the bench since Garnett was injured. He's averaging 11.4 points and 6.7 rebounds in his last seven games.
Point guard Rajon Rondo continues to play well for Boston, and he was a difference-maker on Sunday despite only scoring five points. Rondo had a season-high 12 assists to go along with 11 rebounds, the third time he's led the Celtics on the glass since Garnett went down.
Rest of Preview - http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_yl ... 2008021211
Starting Lineups -
Travis Diener - Danny Granger - Troy Murphy - Mike Dunleavy - Jeff Foster
Rajon Rondo - Ray Allen - Brian Scalabrine - Paul Pierce - Leon Powe
Injuries -
Pacers
Tinsley - OUT
O'Neal - OUT
Dunleavy - DTD
Cetlics-
Perkins - OUT
Garnett - OUT
Pollard - OUT
Stat Leaders -
Points
P. Pierce BOS...... 20.4
D. Granger IND.... 18.0
Assists
R. Rondo BOS..... 4.8
J. Tinsley IND...... 8.4
Rebounds
K. Garnett BOS.... 9.9
J. Foster IND........ 8.5
Team Notes
Boston
Feb 10 PG Rajon Rondo had his first career double-double that did not include points in Sunday's 98-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He grabbed 11 rebounds and a career-high 12 assists. It was the fifth time this season Rondo has led the team in rebounding. ... The Celtics improved to 5-2 without injured F Kevin Garnett, who has been sidelined with an abdominal strain and will miss the All-Star Game. ... C Kendrick Perkins missed his second game this season with a sore left shoulder. He remains day-to-day. Only F Paul Pierce has played in all 48 games for the team this season.
Indiana
Feb 10 Injuries continue to pile up for the Pacers, who already were without C Jermaine O'Neal (left knee) and G Jamaal Tinsley (left knee). In Saturday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers, F Mike Dunleavy bruised his right knee in the first quarter, returned in the second but did not play after halftime. ... F Danny Granger scored 29 points on Saturday night, nailing three of his four shots from the arc in the first quarter.
