Boston Celtics

Notes from the Garden

By Gary Dzen

2 minutes to read

  • Nets coach Lawrence Frank talked about his team’s six-game losing streak before the game:

    “I don’t think you ever panic, but your job as a coach is you have to be honest,” said Frank. “You have to hold everyone in the locker room accountable.”

    “To a man, everyone is very disappointed in terms of where we are at. We feel it is unacceptable for what we are doing. We have a very talented team, a team that has lofty goals, and yet we have to start to make some positive strides. At some point we’ll say enough is enough. When we get to that point, hopefully sooner rather than later, we’ll start to play Nets basketball.”

  • Celtics center Kendrick Perkins (foot) will start tonight:

    “Right now with Perk it will be probably no practice and just playing games,” said Rivers. “For a guy at this point in his career it’s obviously not the best thing, but it’s better than not playing. I thought in the Milwaukee game he managed his injury as well as he could possibly do it.

  • Celtics coach Doc Rivers was asked about being in first place before the start of the game:

    “Well, we earned it,” said Rivers. “I don’t know, I mean it’s funny obviously, but it’s nice. I’ll take it. We’ve played the same amount of games as everyone else. There’s how many other teams in our division and we’re the ones there, so I’ll take it.”

    The Celtics are 5-8 right now.

    “It says a lot of people are struggling, but I guess we’re struggling the least right now,” said Rivers. “If 82 games are finished and we’re above .500, below .500, but we’re in first place, I’ll take it.”

    Paul Pierce also commented his team’s place in the standings:

    “I didn’t even look at that,” said Pierce. “It’s only 13 games. First place means nothing right now.”

  • Former UConn and current Nets forward/center Josh Boone is closer to seeing his first NBA action after sitting out since July following shoulder surgery:

    “He had a good workout today,” said Nets coach Lawrence Frank. “We’ll just continue to see how he does. He hasn’t played in any games so far, so he’s obviously lagging to some extent. To what extent, who knows? You try to be optimistic and hope that he can find a way to help in his way.”

    Frank expects Boone to go through a full practice on Friday.

  • Paul Pierce, who wears a headband, chimed in on the Ben Wallace headband controversy in Chicago. The Bulls have a team rule banning headbands, but Wallace wore one anyways earlier in the week.

    “It’s been blown out of proportion,” said Pierce. “I think he should be allowed to wear it. He’s an NBA veteran. He’s a champion.”

    Keep it here for updates throughout the game, and check back after the game for comments from the locker rooms.

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