Welcome to the Garden …

By Gary Dzen

January 11, 2010

1 minute to read

Welcome to TD Garden, where the Boston Celtics (26-9) will take on the Atlanta Hawks (23-13) at 7:30 p.m.

There’s a giant, not-sure-how-new neon sign reading “TD Garden” outside the arena. Shouldn’t be any trouble at all to change that monstrosity when the bank changes names in another six months.

Inside, the Celtics are practicing behind a big, black curtain at the moment. No morning walkthrough today so the C’s are preparing for the Hawks now.

Boston should be pretty well prepared, having played the Hawks last Friday night in Atlanta. The Celtics are still without Kevin Garnett, so there would be little shame in losing to a formidable Hawks team. But the C’s don’t want to drop to 0-3 in the season series with Atlanta. It’s a must-win, then, of sorts.

Waiting for the curtain to rise and unveil some Celtics and Hawks. Back in a few with more updates.

UPDATE, 5:43 p.m. Marquis Daniels is on the court right now doing some conditioning. He’s still got a cast on his left hand. Like Glen Davis before him, Daniels faces the challenge of trying to work back into basketball shape without a very necessary basketball appendage.

Daniels is dribbling with his right hand, and he’s made a few two-handed passes to Shelden Williams in a drill the two players are currently running.

Kendrick Perkins (below) also worked with assistant coach Tom Thibideau on some post moves before the game. Perkins appears to be growing a beard, which should make him even more beastly.