Last one

“Sure, there’s some things I wish we could have done better,” said Ainge. “I won’t share those. I can’t share things like that publicly in protection of the people that are still involved.”

“As much as it hurts myself and my teammates to be going home tomorrow, we vow that this time next year this won’t be our last game,” said Pierce. “We’re going to the playoffs and we going to make some noise.”

If Pierce only knew.

The Celtics have already clinched the NBA’s best record, so tonight’s game doesn’t mean anything in the playoff standings. Still, Rajon Rondo was out early, like he always is, working on his jumper. Some team is going to sag off Rondo in the playoffs, and the second-year point guard is going to have to prove, like he has all season, that he can knock down the open shot.

Rondo nailed a halfcourt shot before running off into the locker room.

P.J. Brown is out right now working on some post moves. He’s the only player out here breaking a sweat. Devin Harris is out shooting for the Nets, but he’s just going through the motions. New Jersey will not be in the playoffs.

I realize ya’ll won’t be hanging on every shot in this game, so I’ll try to provide some of the scene here as the Celtics prepare for their first playoff game this weekend.

We’ll be back with notes from the locker room.