This time KG will play at Target Center (AP)
Kevin Garnett’s return to Target Center after being traded to Boston was as emotional and riveting as it was short. On a chilly February night last season, Minnesota basketball fans packed the arena once more to cheer their departed hero, giving KG a deafening reception when he was introduced before his new team played his old team.

The Celtics will have Kevin Garnett in uniform for the tough

back-to-back Thursday and Friday against Detroit (home) and Minnesota

(away).

He wasn’t allowed in the building Tuesday for the game against

the Knicks after being suspended for his actions in Saturday’s

overtime win at Milwaukee.

The “incident” occurred with 3:58 left in the fourth quarter

after Garnett was called for fouling the driving Bogut, who then

struck Garnett hard on his follow-through. Garnett was seen throwing

his arms out, and, after a conference among the referees, each was

assessed a technical foul. In that it was Bogut’s second tech of the

game, he was automatically ejected.

According to a source, the league was told by the…

Williams’ huge 3 helps Hawks snap 4-game skid
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NBA roundup: Tuesdaya s action on the boards

Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis scores a basket over Toronto Raptors forward Jermaine O’Neal during the first half.

8 is enough: Iverson, Pistons stop Cavs’ streak
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NBA Power Poll: Ranking teams, sizing up rookies (SportingNews.com)
After Anthony Morrow put up 37 points in his first start for the Warriors, it only seemed right to take a closer look at the rookies in this week’s Power Poll.

Wednesday, Nov. 19 (AP)

Garnett suspended 1 game; O’Neal fined $25,000 (AP)
Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett was suspended for one game and Phoenix center Shaquille O’Neal was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday for separate incidents over the weekend. Garnett was penalized for hitting Milwaukee’s Andrew Bogut in the face near the end of Saturday’s game. Garnett will sit out Tuesday night when the Celtics host the New York Knicks.

BDL NBA Power Rankings: Shattered dreams, broken promises (Yahoo! Sports)
The BDL NBA Power Rankings combine two parts Chivas Regal with one part flippant observation to create the most…

NBA Today (AP)

Garnett gets 1 game for hit on Bogut

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett has been suspended for one game and Phoenix centre Shaquille O’Neal has been fined US$25,000 for separate incidents over the weekend.

Celtics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Celtics had two whole days off before meeting the Knicks on Tuesday, and while that may not seem like such a big deal, it certainly is to them.

Saturday’s game in Milwaukee was their fifth in seven nights and eighth in the last 12.

“I’ve never seen a stretch like this so early in a season,” coach Doc Rivers said, “but there’s not much we can do about it. The only really good part about it is when it’s over.”

While the Celts stumbled a bit near the end of the run, they weren’t accepting the excuses that were being offered. Kevin Garnett shook his head at the fatigue suggestion.

“Everybody has a schedule they have to go by and abide by, and we’re not different from that,” he said.

Garnett will get a rest Tuesday in a most unwanted way: He was…

They want to play as a team and treat each other as equals. But when it comes to scoring, they now know Paul Pierce [ stats ] is a little more equal than everybody else, if you get the drift.

Dirk goes wild as Mavs end 5-game skid in OT
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Celtics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Celtics will have two whole days off before meeting the Knicks on Tuesday, and while that may not seem like such a big deal, it certainly is to them.

Saturday’s game in Milwaukee was their fifth in seven nights and eighth in the last 12.

“I’ve never seen a stretch like this so early in a season,” coach Doc Rivers said, “but there’s not much we can do about it. The only really good part about it is when it’s over.

While the Celts stumbled a bit near the end of the run, they weren’t accepting the excuses that were being offered. Kevin Garnett shook his head at the fatigue suggestion.

“Everybody has a schedule they have to go by and abide by, and we’re not different from that,” he said.

Added Paul Pierce, “The ball gets rolled out there.

Grizzlies ragged now but they have a future
O.J. Mayo and the Grizzlies are frustrating to watch at times, but more experience will solve many problems, Charley Rosen says.NBA/~4/454023694″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Magic prove they aren’t one-man band vs. ‘Cats
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Suns hammer Pistons without Shaq
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Comcast SportsNet Scores With Celtics

Comcast SportsNet New England’s coverage of the Boston Celtics‘ last-second victory over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night became the network’s highest-rated regular-season contest ever.

Ray Allen wasn’t so sure Boston would be able to pull it out in overtime. The Celtics hadn’t scored in nearly three minutes and were fading fast in their eighth game in 12 days. But Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer on a second chance, and he and Allen hit all six of their free throws, lifting Boston to a scrappy 102-97 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups help new teams rough up Lakers and Celtics

Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups had big games for their new teams in two of the most difficult places to win in the NBA.

Boston Celtics: 2007-2008 NBA Champions

Our review of Boston Celtics: 2007-2008 NBA Champions , published July 24th, 2008, is also available.

Celtics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Celtics will have two whole days off before meeting the Knicks on Tuesday, and while that may not seem like such a big deal, it certainly is to them.

Saturday’s game in Milwaukee was their fifth in seven nights and eighth in the last 12.

“I’ve never seen a stretch like this so early in a season,” coach Doc Rivers said, “but there’s not much we can do about it. The only really good part about it is when it’s over.

While the Celts stumbled a bit near the end of the run, they weren’t accepting the excuses that were being offered. Kevin Garnett shook his head at the fatigue suggestion.

“Everybody has a schedule they have to go by and abide by, and we’re not different from that,” he said.

Added Paul Pierce, “The ball gets rolled out there.

Celtics’ Pierce Bothered By Injury

Paul Pierce says he’s been bothered by a sprained hand for the past week or so. The Celtics captain says he’s been icing his hand and trying not to think about it while he plays.

Since his trade to the Denver Nuggets, Chauncey Billups has done something customary for him. Win. The Nuggets are 4-1 since Billups’ arrived after a Nov. 3 trade with the Pistons. And on Friday night, the Nuggets added a statement game to their resume, beating the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics 94-85.

Celtics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Celtics will once again take their team concepts to the floor in Milwaukee Saturday night, but they are well aware, too, that one of their players has emerged above others on offense. There are other stars around, but Paul Pierce is the unquestioned go-to guy.

“Oh, I think that all the time,” Pierce said with a slight grin when asked if he simply wants the ball sometimes. “But I try to play within the flow of the offense. I don’t want to take away from everybody else’s abilities. I know what I’m capable of, but it’s a team game and we need each other to win.”

It took Pierce a while to realize it last year, but he bears perhaps more of the responsibility to generate offense if the called plays aren’t working.

It’s Celtics-Lakers in a two-horse race

When I wake up in the morning, I’m like a lot of men who like sports — I grab the newspaper and immediately navigate to the sports section.

Shooting Stars: The NBA All-Pure Shooting Team

One of the most beautiful things about game of basketball. And definitely my favorite attribute of the game.

Lakers 7-0, Pierce keeps Hawks from joining them (AP)
The Los Angeles Lakers had a surprisingly easy time staying undefeated. Only a “Super” effort kept the Atlanta Hawks from joining them. Paul Pierce made a jumper with 0.5 seconds left to give the Boston Celtics a 103-102 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season.

Suicide lines: Blazer rooks, the other Bynum, Pierce’s hot hand … (Yahoo! Sports)
Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your buttered croissant.

Parker has off shooting night

Parker has off shooting night : Toronto SG Anthony Parker scored nine points on a poor shooting night against the 76ers Wednesday.

NBA’s most dominant force? Injuries
The list of the NBA’s walking wounded grows by the day. Randy Hill looks at who’s been hit worst by an abundance of early injuries.NBA/~4/452007863″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Celtics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Celtics have pretty much set on their rotation, and while coach Doc Rivers says things are still open to competition, his main nine appears to be engraved for the time being.

The starters—Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo—aren’t going anywhere, and Tony Allen, Eddie House, Leon Powe and Glen Davis are the only ones to appear off the bench unless there is a blowout or severe foul trouble.

On the outside are holdovers Brian Scalabrine and Gabe Pruitt, while Bill Walker has been dressing for games and Sam Cassell, J.R. Giddens and Patrick O’Bryant have not.

The question now becomes whether the Celtics will use the D-League.

“Billy’s probably not going anywhere,” said Doc Rivers of rookie Walker.

…

Bulls ink veteran guard Hunter
The injury-depleted Chicago Bulls signed veteran point guard Lindsey Hunter, who is expected to join the team for the game Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. With a Bulls‘ backcourt thinned by injuries, the 37-year-old Hunter brings 15 years of experience to the team. He played 24 games for Detroit last season. Guard Kirk Hinrich could be out for three months after thumb surgery, and Larry Hughes hasn’t played this season because of a preseason shoulder injury.NBA/~4/452114398″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

NBA Atlantic: No championship hangover in Boston

Conventional wisdom had the Boston Celtics taking a step back in 2008-09. Maybe not a large step in the wrong direction since the Celtics are far too talented to languish but let’s face it, the ‘Boston Three …

Gordon, Bulls shoot down slumping Mavericks
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Cavs clamp down on defense, win 6th straight
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Celtics rally, send Hawks to first loss of season (AP)

The Atlanta Hawks have improved since losing to the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last spring. Too bad for them that the defending champions haven’t changed much at all. NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce hit a fallaway jumper with 0.5 seconds left to give Boston a 103-102 victory over Atlanta on Wednesday night, handing the Hawks their first loss of the season and their first since the…

Celtics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Celtics have pretty much set on their rotation, and while coach Doc Rivers says things are still open to competition, his main nine appears to be engraved for the time being.

The starters—Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo—aren’t going anywhere, and Tony Allen, Eddie House, Leon Powe and Glen Davis are the only ones to appear off the bench unless there is a blowout or severe foul trouble.

On the outside are holdovers Brian Scalabrine and Gabe Pruitt, while Bill Walker has been dressing for games and Sam Cassell, J.R. Giddens and Patrick O’Bryant have not.

The question now becomes whether the Celtics will use the D-League.

“Billy’s probably not going anywhere,” said Doc Rivers of rookie Walker.

…

NBA All-White Players From The Boston Celtics

First of all, I know it has been a while, but when I saw the new NBA contest, I just had to chime in.

Raptors wary of bad defensive habits

All mistakes are not created equal. While fully admitting that inopportune gaffes pop up every now and then a ‘ some costly enough that they affect the outcome of games a ‘ the Raptors also fully admit they’re …

Unbeaten Hawks Visit Celtics In Boston

The Atlanta Hawks nearly stunned the Boston Celtics in last year’s opening round of the playoffs, losing in seven games to the eventual NBA champions.

Cards hold off the Niners…Pierce leads Celtics comeback…NL Cy…

Cards hold off the Niners…Pierce leads Celtics comeback…NL Cy Young winner announced today GLENDALE, Ariz.

NBA roundup: Wednesdaya s action on the boards

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant leans toward New Orleans Hornets‘ Morris Peterson in the first half.

Kevin Garnett finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks in just 29 minutes.

Court Awareness: Monday’s action
Paul Pierce ended his shooting slump in a big way. He was one of many stars catching fire Monday night, Thomas Halzack says.NBA/~4/449961766″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Celtics Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Celtics are in the midst of a stretch of five games in seven nights. Atlanta and Denver will be in town Wednesday and Friday, respectively, and the Celtics will close the week at Milwaukee.

Thus, it is even more important than usual that the Celtics rely on their depth. And thus far the reserves have been coming through.

“The last three or four games, our bench has been the reason we’ve won,” coach Doc Rivers said before the Celtics beat Toronto on Monday. “We’ve started out slow, and the energy off our bench has been absolutely terrific. They play together. They share the ball. They do all the little things that make them as a group a good group.

“There’s no one guy that can carry them, but when they play the way they play, it makes them a very good basketball…

Hill: Mayo among standout NBA rookies
Nobody doubted O.J. Mayo’s ability to score. But Randy Hill says there’s much more to the Memphis rookie than meets the eye.NBA/~4/449696786″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>

Raptors wary of bad defensive habits

All mistakes are not created equal. While fully admitting that inopportune gaffes pop up every now and then a ‘ some costly enough that they affect the outcome of games a ‘ the Raptors also fully admit they’re …

Fantasy leagues don’t measure players’ true values
Statistically, Shaq is one of the NBA’s best shooters. This is one reason, Charley Rosen says, not to fall in love with numbers.NBA/~4/449809842″ height=”1″ width=”1″/>