Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff

Last night, the Celtics celebrated Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn's 30 years calling games with "Mike and Tommy Night."

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

There’s a story Mike Gorman likes to tell. It goes back to his wedding day.

Gorman and his wife, Teri, were married in a small inn in Little Compton, R.I. Eight months after the ceremony, Teri started sifting though things from the wedding.

She told Mike, “I’ve sent out all the thank-you notes, I think I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do. We just never got anything from Tommy.”

This was, of course, Tommy Heinsohn she as talking about. He was Gorman's broadcast partner, but at the same time he was still a legend in Gorman's mind. Gorman told her, “No big deal, he probably forgot about it.”

Two or three more weeks passed when they get an invitation from Heinsohn’s wife, Helen, for one of Tommy’s art shows.

“You have to be at this art show,” she said.

“Helen was very special,” Gorman said. “She was very much a part of Tommy’s basketball life, so she was a part of my life, too.”

So, they go to the gallery and Tommy’s artwork is hanging along the walls. In the middle of the gallery, one particular painting -- a large oil painting still sitting on an easel -- was surrounded by velvet rope.

Mike and Teri walked around to see the painting, and at the bottom, the title read “Wedding Day.”

It was a painting of the inn where they were married.

“It was his,” Heinsohn said. “I painted it as a wedding gift.”

Some 80 nights a year, fans have seen their 30 years of work. Last night, the Celtics honored all those years with "Mike and Tommy Night" at the Garden. But for the two of them, it's more like 30 years worth of memories.

“He’s a good friend,” Heinsohn said. “And that’s the ultimate compliment that you could give anybody.”

FULL ENTRY

By Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff

Jeff Green had a solid night with 19 points, three blocks and three rebounds to help compensate for a scoreless night by Rajon Rondo, and the Celtics pulled into a tie for the Eastern Conference's top seed with a 92-80 win over the Pacers last night.

Today, Celtics captain Paul Pierce faces a tough individual battle. It's down to Pierce vs. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the final round of our Boston's Best Player bracket game.

Voting ends tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Yoon S. Byun

His stats were modest, but Delonte West made his 17 minutes go a long way in his return from a sprained right ankle.

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

He was finally cleared to play yet again, and at with the season nearly over, he was just looking to get on the floor. He played 17 minutes in the Celtics' 92-80 win over the Pacers. His line in the box score won't wow anyone, but for someone who's played just eight games this season, he looked comfortable in his return.

Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff

Carlos Arroyo looks forward to playing off of Delonte West.

“He’s been playing somewhere," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "Because his rhythm was too good. He’s been in a rec league or something. I was amazed how well he handled the ball. Usually when you miss games at the guard position you have the fumbles, you make bad decisions. He had great timing the entire night.”

Rivers did some experimenting with the backcourt, subbing both Carlos Arroyo and West in near the end of the first quarter, and leaving them both on the floor once the second started. Arroyo said he was interested in seeing how things would play out with two floor generals in the backcourt.

"I’m looking forward to that to be honest with you," Arroyo said. "I’m looking forward to having a different dimension. He can bring it, I can bring it. We both can create our own offense and for our teammates, which is something we’re going to need on that second unit. We’ve got guys that can spread the floor and knock down shots, guys that can rebound, set screens, roll. So having Delonte is great right now."

When the Celtics were drawing up the plan in the preseason, West was supposed to be the yin to Nate Robinson's yang, but Robinson was shipped out at the trade deadline. Now, it's West and Arroyo. West made it clear that he's trying to earn as much of his teammates' trust as possible in the final weeks of the season to earn minutes in the playoffs.

“It was pretty cool to be out there with another point guard in Carlos," West said. "It’s like having two floor generals at the same time. Guys like him can create. It just felt great to be out there. We got a group of new guys. We’re trying to see what we can do, how we can work together and help this first unit out. It was cool to get out there with those guys tonight.”

End of game, Celtics 92-80:The Celtics' bench play allowed the starters to take a fourth-quarter break. Delonte West provided point guard direction and Glen Davis and Troy Murphy inside effectiveness. Paul Pierce finished with 20 points in 27 minutes of playing time and Jeff Green had 19 points in 26 minutes.

Fourth quarter, 2:51, Celtics 88-74:The Pacers pulled within 12 points of the lead on Roy Hibbert's second-chance dunk with :01 on the shot clock. But Nenad Krstic completed a pick-and-roll layup from Delonte West, then Jeff Green blocked a Danny Granger shot, Granger called for a technical foul by official Violet Palmer.

Fourth quarter, 5:52, Celtics 84-68:Glen Davis scored on a drive with a second on the shot clock for a 16-point Celtic edge. The Celtic starters received a long rest in the quarter, Ray Allen and Nenad Krstic returning to the lineup.

Fourth quarter, 8:32, Celtics 80-66: The Celtics' reserves maintained the team's momentum, Delonte West's jumper at the shot-clock buzzer and Troy Murphy's backward dunk compensating for defensive breakdowns.

End of third quarter, Celtics 74-60: Carlos Arroyo's 3-pointer just before the buzzer gave the Celtics a 14-point lead, their biggest advantage of the game. Paul Pierce was the only Celtic starter to play the entire quarter, scoring eight points and finiding Arroyo for the final shot.

Third quarter, 2,56 Celtics 65-58: The Celtics went with their starters for most of the quarter. Jeff Green, who scored 17 first-half points, and Glen Davis entered the lineup late in the quarter.

Third quarter, 5:56, Celtics 61-50: The Celtic starters kept their offensive momentum early in the second half, Ray Allen's three-point play in transition providing an 11-point advantage. Nenad Krstic scored six points in the opening 5:08 of the half.

End of first half, Celtics 47-40: The Celtics led by 13 points on two Kevin Garnett free throws with 2:02 to go in the half. But the Pacers closed the half with a 9-3 run, interrupted by a Paul Pierce 3-pointer with 33 seconds remaining. Jeff Green scored 17 points, keeping the Celtics in contention until the starters found a late groove.

Second quarter, 2:35, Celtics 42-31: Ray Allen did not get a field goal attempt until 4:24 remained in the opening half. Then, Allen hit a 3-pointer with 3:33 left off a Paul Pierce pass. Pierce's '3' and another Allen '3' off another Pierce feed capped a 13-2 Celtic run over a 1:33 span.

Second quarter, 5:45, Celtics 26-25: Jeff Green's 3-pointer broke a 23-23 tie, capping an eight-point run.

End of first quarter, Pacers 20-15: The Pacers had the better of the individual matchups in the opening quarter. The Celtic starters struggled to find a rhythm, Ray Allen going eight minutes without a field goal attempt.

First quarter, 1:59, Pacers 17-13: Glen Davis and Jeff Green sparked the Celtics after the Pacers had taken an eight-point lead.

First quarter, 5:20, Pacers 14-7: Paul Pierce and Nenad Krstic got loose for dunks in the opening minute of play, but the Celtics then hit a five-minute-plus drought.

Globe Staff

Shaquille O'Neal has missed the past 17 games.

Your guess as to when either Shaquille or Jermaine O'Neal will return is as good as Doc Rivers', but Rivers knows Shaquille O'Neal got some shots up earlier today and is still expecting the 38-year-old center to return even though the regular season is winding down.

"I don’t even know what the time frame is, but the fact that he’s on the floor means sooner than later I hope," Rivers said.

If it seems like the Celtics are reaching a point in the season when they could use one if not both of the big men they signed in the offseason, Rivers admitted that point came and went a while ago.

"That point was a month ago if you want to be honest, but we’re still not going to put him out there unless he’s right because that makes no sense," Rivers said. "You put him out there and he gets hurt and now you don’t have him at all.

"Clearly I would have loved to have him back two or three weeks ago. I would have loved to have our whole entire bench back. I thought that would be a good time, right at the all-star break. But it just hasn’t worked out that way, so we just have to figure that out once everybody comes back."

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

Austin Rivers is his own man and not afraid to speak his mind, and that has impressed his father, Doc. Austin said this weekend that while he admires the NBA's great players, he, the No. 1 high school prospect in the country, "I don’t want to just meet LeBron, I want to destroy him on the court one day."

It is that competitive spirit that has made him such an outstanding player and Austin, who is headed to Duke next season, spend time with Doc yesterday after receiving the Wootten Player of the Year Award in Chicago.

Doc, who has encouraged Austin to play fearlessly and with confidence, explained his son's comments about LeBron James.

"The way it's being portrayed is not exactly what he said," Doc said of Austin's statement. "He actually said 'I look up to all those guys but if you're on the floor with them you want to destroy them, you've got to have that mentality.' So I think he better have that mentality or he will get destroyed. I think that's good."

Doc likes that Austin has established his own identity.

"The one thing I do like about Austin is that he dismisses all that (son of an NBA coach stuff)," Doc said. "He's defiant about it. He wants to be his own player, his own person and I think that's the way he should be."

Matthew Lee/Globe Staff

Paul Pierce had a triple-double when the Pacers visited Boston in December.

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Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Celtics (47-18), Pacers (29-38)
Broadcast info: CSN, WEEI
Officials: Scott Foster, Tony Brothers, Violet Palmer

Matthew Lee/Globe Staff

After missing 57 games, Delonte West is slated to return tonight.

Probable starters:
Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Nenad Krstic

Pacers:
PG Darren Collison
SG: Paul George
SF: Danny Granger
PF: Tyler Hansbrough
C: Roy Hibbert

Storylines:

West returns to the lineup: It's been a stop-and-go season for Delonte West and the red lights have been a lot longer than the green ones. After his latest injury (a sprained right ankle during a walkthrough on the Celtics' West Coast trip last month), he's set to return yet again. He's played just eight games, between a suspension to start the season, a broken wrist in November, then the ankle. But Celtics coach Doc Rivers still believes West can contribute by helping break in a second unit that's fresh out of the shrink wrap.

Pierce kills the Pacers: When the the Pacers came to Boston on Dec. 19, Paul Pierce put up an 18-point, 12-assist, 10-rebound triple-double. A little over a week later in Indianapolis, Pierce put up a game-high 21 points and seven assists, beaming after the game because he didn't turn the ball over at all (He did, however, pick up a $15,000 fine for throwing his gum into the stands). He's coming off a seven-point night against the Nets, where he missed 8 of his 10 shots and the only bright spot was his behind-the-back move on Sasha Vujacic that led to this dunk.

Everyone goes through it: The Lakers bottomed out when they lost to the Cavaliers right before the All-Star Break, bringing out all Chicken Littles in Tinsel Town. The Heat went through a five-game losing streak when it seemed like LeBron James couldn't finish off a game and they couldn't beat an elite team. Now the Celtics have lost three of four, falling asleep on teams like the Clippers (non-playoff team), Sixers (playoff team) and Nets (non-playoff team) only to get water splashed in their faces.

Austin Rivers has been piling up player of the year awards for the season he's having as Winter Park (Fla.) High's superstar and the No. 1 prospect in the country, and his father, Celtics coach Doc Rivers, has done his best to keep up at every step. Yesterday, he was in Chicago to surprise Austin at the ceremony for the McDonald's All-American Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award.

The father son combo did TV and radio spots before taking in the Bulls' blowout win over the Wizards.

From the Orlando Sentinel:

Doc Rivers said one of the basketball conversations he cherishes most tipped off with a two-word question from a baggage handler at a Sacramento airport last month.

"How's Austin," the man asked when he spotted the Boston Celtics coach arriving for a game.

Very well, thank you. As the consensus No. 1 high school basketball player in the nation, very well.

"I loved it," a proud father said on Wednesday. "We all want to be parents of our children. That's what I want to be."

Austin Rivers told the Sentinel he was surprised to see his father at Wednesday's press conference. Austin, a 6-4 guard, has led Winter Park to two state championships.

"I'm very surprised he's here. I thought he was in Boston somewhere," Rivers said.

It is clear the Celtics will have to fight for the No. 1 seed and with roughly a month left in the season, claiming the top spot in the Eastern Conference won't be easy. The Celtics have dropped three of four games and the Bulls and Heat are surging, so their worst-case scenario may become true: Boston falls to the No. 3 seed, plays the New York Knicks in a brutal first-round series and then faces the Bulls or Heat in the second round and then the Bulls or Heat in the conference finals, neither of those series the Celtics would have home-court advantage,

That is not the road the Celtics want to avoid, but here's a schedule breakdown for the top three teams and with games at Miami, Chicago, Atlanta and San Antonio, the Celtics road to the top seed will be difficult.

BOSTON CELTICS (47-18)

17 games remaining

(7 home) -- Indiana, Memphis, Charlotte, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, New York Knicks.

(10 road) -- Houston, New Orleans, New York Knicks, Indiana, Minnesota, San Antonio, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, Washington.

Combined opponents winning percentage: .489

CHICAGO BULLS (47-18)

17 games remaining

(8 home) -- Washington, Sacramento, Memphis, Philadelphia, Toronto, Phoenix, Boston, New Jersey

(9 road) -- New Jersey, Indiana, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Detroit, Cleveland, Orlando, New York Knicks

Combined opponents winning percentage: .414

MIAMI HEAT (46-21)

15 games remaining

(7 home) -- Oklahoma City, Denver, Philadelphia, Houston, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Boston

(8 road) -- Atlanta (2), Detroit, Cleveland, Washington, Minnesota, New Jersey, Toronto

Combined opponents winning percentage: .439

Final, Nets 88-79: New Jersey ends the game on a 7-0 run as the Celtics can't score with two opportunities to tie the game and are now tied with the Chicago Bulls for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. One of the more disappointing losses of the season.

Fourth quarter, 1:46, Nets 81-79: Celtics ball after Kris Humphries knocked the ball away from Glen Davis, who was attempting a layup. Davis has saved the Celtics tonight with 16 points and 14 rebounds, but Rajon Rondo has looked tired, with two points in 30 minutes.

Fourth quarter, 4:35, Nets 79-75: The Celtics are on a run but the question is whether it's too late. They are beginning to hit shots and pound the ball in the paint. Ray Allen has 19 points and Kevin Garnett has 18, but most of those were scored in the first half.

Fourth quarter,7:39, Nets 74-66: The Celtics are in serious jeopardy of losing this one as the Nets have canned nine 3-pointers while Boston has grown cold from the field, unable to run its offense against New Jersey's tough defense.

Halftime, Celtics 38-36: Boston is playing the same stellar defense has last night against Milwaukee but the Celtics can't score, stumbling to 15 points in the quarter. Ray Allen scored six straight late in the period to give the Celtics the lead back. Anthony Morrow's 22 footer after a steal sliced the lead back to two.

Second quarter, 3:00, Nets 30-29: Another ugly game where both teams are shooting under 40 percent. The Nets are at 32 but have hit four 3-pointers, including two during an 8-0 run to retake the lead. The Celtics have gone ice cold in the second quarter (3 for 14) and haven't scored since the 6:23 mark.

End of first quarter, Celtics 23-14: The Nets led 14-9 with 6:28 left in the quarter and the Celtics end the period on a 14-0 run, looking dominant. Nenad Krstic scored six of those 14 points while Carlos Arroyo added a jumper. The Celtics shot 47 percent in the period while the Nets were at 27 percent (5 for 18).

Tip-off: 7 p.m.
Records: Celtics (47-17), Nets (21-43)
Broadcast info: CSN, WEEI
Officials: Bennett Salvatore, Derrick Collins, Mark Lindsay

Probable starters:
Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Nenad Krstic

Nets:
PG Deron Williams
SG: Sasha Vujacic
SF: Travis Outlaw
PF: Kris Humphries
C: Brook Lopez

Storylines:

Williams matchup: Deron Williams, who missed the past two games because of the birth of his fourth child, will return to the lineup and face the Celtics for the first time as a Net. He is averaging 15.2 assists in five games with New Jersey. But he is only shooting 36.5 percent.

Double trouble: Nenad Krstic (right) spent his first four seasons with the New Jersey Nets and was an impact player before tearing his ACL, an injury he said it took two years to recover from. Krstic has two consecutive double doubles and 29 rebounds in his past two games. He had 29 double-doubles in his first four NBA seasons but just eight in his past 214 games before joining the Celtics. Krstic had not had consecutive double=-doubles since 2006.

Trap game: The Celtics need this game badly, as they are just one-half game ahead of the Chicago Bulls for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. After tonight, the two weeks will have played the same amount of games, meaning a win would put the Celtics one game ahead with each having 17 games left, including a critical April 7 meeting in Chicago.

By Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff

The Celtics played some serious defense, holding the Bucks to just 56 points, and easily ended their two-game losing streak last night. Watch the recap of the Celtics' 87-56 victory at TD Garden.

The Celtics are right back in action tonight in New Jersey, their first look at the Nets since the arrival of guard Deron Williams via a trade with the Jazz.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

The starters were spectators for every second of the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 87-56 win over the Bucks.

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

The Celtics' starters reaped the rewards of doing their work early, throwing the Bucks into a double-digit ditch in the first quarter and never letting them climb out. The result was an 87-56 win in which none of the starters touched the floor in the fourth quarter.

Instead, they were spectators, spending garbage time in their warmups laughing at Gino footage and pushing the second unit to close the game as strong as they had started it.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Paul Pierce finished with 14 points.

The Bucks mustered just 9 points in the first quarter -- the lowest of any quarter the've played this season -- and the futility carried through the rest of the night. They finished shooting 31.4 percent, admittedly humiliated in the words of their coach Scott Skiles. For the Celtics, coach Doc Rivers said, its simple logic that it starts with the first five, especially with new additions still getting a grasp of the system.

"When they do, we’re a better team, obviously," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "That’s what we’re banking on right now until we get right. When they start out slow it puts us in a huge hole, because now you’re dependent on a second unit that hasn’t been together very long.”

The residual benefit was that the second unit got extra reps thanks to the blowout. Aside from Earl Barron snapping for 10 points in 10 minutes, the bench held the Bucks to 3 of 11 shooting.

"It's good for us and it's actually good for the other guys as much as it's good for the starters," Rivers said. "The other guys get to play stress-free which is nice."

The defensive chemistry is something that will take time for the new players to develop. Glen Davis' return after missing four games with a strained left patella tendon helped tonight, giving them an experienced player in the rotation.

"It's coming along well," said Jeff Green. "We've got Big Baby back now. I think our pieces are slowly falling into place. We didn't even know anything about a record. We were just trying to continue with the pressure and we did. We just played defense."

Final: Celtics, 87-56: Two records set tonight: The fewest points ever allowed by the Celtics and a Milwaukee franchise low. The Bucks were just flat awful with Keyon Dooling missing both free throws that could have erased both marks. Milwaukee shot 31.4 percent, made 22 field goals and committed 18 turnovers.

Fourth quarter, 2:54, Celtics 79-53: Earl Barron is single-handedly making sure the Bucks don't sink to a franchise low in points. He has 10 in just seven minutes as Milwaukee tries to remain motivated. As for the Celtics, Ray Allen has 17 points and Paul Pierce 14.

Fourth quarter, 5:29, Celtics 75-45: The starters are on the bench in preparation for tomorrow's matchup with the New Jersey Nets as this one is sealed. The Bucks are shooting 29 percent and still 13 points away from their all-time low as a franchise, set in 2003.

Fourth quarter, 9:22, Celtics 68-39: And 8-0 run has essentially put this game away and now the suspense is whether Milwaukee will reach their franchise low in points of 58. They are shooting 27.8 percent and still have no scorers in double figures. A pretty stunning performance.

End of third quarter, Celtics 60-38: The Bucks rallied for the last four points of the quarter to make it more respectable but the Celtics are turning in one of their best defensive performances of the season. They are shooting 45.1 percent with 14 turnovers, which is way too many. But the Bucks are at 28.8 percent shooting and 15 turnovers with no scorers in double figures.

Third quarter, 3:10, Celtics 56-34: Celtics are executing better offensively in the quarter and Nenad Krstic is having the game of his season with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Ray Allen leads the Celtics with 17 points while Paul Pierce has 12. Glen Davis has three rebounds in eight minutes. Andrew Bogut leads Milwaukee with eight points.

Halftime, Celtics 39-22: The score is correct. Milwaukee scored just 22 points in the half, making just 8 of 35 shots and 1 of 8 3-pointers. Andrew Bogut leads the team with six points. The Celtics aren't exactly pumping out points either, scoring just 39 on 16 for 35 shooting. They have missed four free throws and committed eight turnovers.

Second quarter, 4:00, Celtics 35-18: Milwaukee is shooting 22 percent from the field with eight turnovers while the Celtics are not playing well offensively but good enough to have a large lead. Nenad Krstic has nine points and 10 rebounds.

Second quarter, 8:48, Celtics 25-10: The ugliness continues tonight as the Celtics are grinding it out against a Bucks team that looked so impressive last night against Philadelphia but so awful so far against Boston. The Bucks are 4 for 22 from the field and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has five points.

End of first quarter, Celtics 20-9: It wasn't a pretty first quarter for the Celtics, despite the score. They committed seven turnovers and got just one assists from Rajon Rondo. Ray Allen leads Boston with seven. Nenad Krstic has three points and eight rebounds.

First quarter, 1:56, Celtics 18-6: Exactly the kind of start the Celtics were looking for. They are shooting 58 percent and Nenad Krstic has turned into Kevin Love with eight rebounds in 10 minutes. The Celtics have five turnovers, however. Milwaukee is 3-for-12 shooting and also has five turnovers.

First quarter, 5:45, Celtics 10-4: The Celtics would have a bigger lead if not for four turnovers. The Bucks are 2 of 8 from the field and Andrew Bogut already has two fouls. The Celtics are 3 for 8 from the field and Nenad Krstic has six rebounds.

First quarter, 9:00, Celtics 5-2: Celtics are looking to get off to a fast start after slow starts in their past few games. Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett have scored buckets for Boston.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

Celtics swingman Von Wafer was watching players workout before Sunday's matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, Kinesio tape wrapped around his right calf. He has not begun basketball activities but said he should be able to return to action in two weeks, giving his club much-needed depth.

Wafer strained his right calf during the Celtics' 107-103 win over the Golden State Warriors on March 4 and tonight will be the fourth consecutive games missed. Wafer said the injury is just a strain and he is starting to feel less discomfort.

"It's the best I've felt in a long time, so I'm thinking like two weeks," he said. "The sooner the better, I just want to get back. (The doctors) already knew what it was when they saw it."

Wafer said he is not lamenting the injury, which occurred when he was playing a more significant role off the bench than earlier in the season.

"I'm just going on with my life the same," he said. "I am just dealing with the hand I was dealt. No sense of getting frustrated. That ain't going to change it now. I'm just trying to get back. I think two weeks and a few days. But I don't see it being more than three weeks."

(AP)

Since putting p 14 points and 11 rebounds a week ago against the Bucks, Kevin Garnett is 10 of 32 shooting.

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Tip-off: 6 p.m.
Records: Celtics (46-17), Bucks (26-38)
Broadcast info: CSN, WEEI
Officials: Ken Mauer, Leroy Richardson, Gary Zielinski

(AP)

Brandon Jennings scored 23 points in the last meeting.

Probable starters:
Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Nenad Krstic

Bucks:
PG Brandon Jennings
SG: John Salmons
SF: Larry Sanders
PF: Jon Brockman
C: Andrew Bogut

Storylines:

Getting off the schneid: The Celtics have lost back-to-back games, doing themselves no favors by getting off to slow starts and leaving a new and adjusting second unity with a deficit.

Mutual opponents: The Sixers are coming off a nearly 30-point blowout over a Sixers team that the Celtics slept on Friday night. Four of five Bucks starters scored double-figures, led by Andrew Bogut's 17 points and Keyon Dooling came off the bench and dropped 13 points. The Celtics didn't score for a 6:20 stretch in the fourth quarter of their loss.

Playoff potential: The Bucks were the cliched Team That No One Wants To Face In The Playoffs coming into the season. But because of injuries, they've underachieved dramatically after earning the sixth see last season and are fighting for the final spot in the East, which could set up a first-round matchup with the Celtics.

GLOBE STAFF

Carlos Arroyo's taking the Celtics' crash course.

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

It was an unusual pre-game sight. The Celtics' locker room usually has game tape running with video coordinator Brian Adams working two MacBooks like turntables. But Carlos Arroyo was at his locker with headphones over his ears, buried in a MacBook of his own picking apart film. He had a few discs worth of video sitting next to the computer, and it spoke volumes about how much cramming the new players are doing as they try to integrate themselves into the Celtics' system.

"I’m trying to catch up," said Arroyo. "I’m trying to obviously be on the same page. “Try” to be on the same page is the reality. I don’t have much time. Those guys have been playing together for many years. I’m just trying to learn the plays, what they’re trying to do out there offensively, defensively."

Things have come at him fast. He played 15 minutes in his debut against the Clippers and 13 minutes last night against the 76ers, and as a true point guard, he's been directing traffic on the floor even with a limited knowledge of the system.

"I guarantee you that they’ll tell you, teams they’ve played on, they haven’t had as much responsibility early," said RAy Allen. "Coming in, we count on Carlos to be prepared and ready and make us better so he can give Rondo smaller minutes and give Doc more trust in him and the second unit."

FULL ENTRY

Final, Sixers 89, Celtics 86: Andre Iguodala sealed it with a tough drive past Sasha Pavlovic and into Kevin Garnett for a lay-up. The Celtics shot 6 of 20 in the fourth quarter and didn't score from Paul Pierce's free throw with 4:01 left to Kevin Garnett's free throw with 30 seconds left.

Fourth quarter, Celtics 76-75, 8:14: For the first time since they were up 8-6 in the first quarter, the Celtics are ahead. Ray Allen's on the floor with Carlos Arroyo, Nenad Krstic, Jeff Green and Sasha Pavlovic. The Sixers are coming off a tough loss to Oklahoma City, with Kevin Durant dealnig the dagger. Now, after going up 10 at one point in the third quarter, they're in another fight with one of the league's elite teams.

Third quarter, Sixers 66-64, 3:18: They should keep a stat for shots that lead an opposing coach to call a timeout. Rajon Rondo just hit one, an 18-footer from the right elbow. He's his three mid-range jumpers tonight, and his 12 points have been huge tonight.

Third quarter, Sixers, 61-51: Kevin Garnett hesitated so hard before taking another baseline jumper his leg sort of stuttered. He missed it short. He's 3 of 8 on the night.

Third quarter, Sixers 58-49: Jrue Holiday just ran straight by Nenad Krstic and kissed a floater off the glass high over Kevin Garnett's outstretched arm. The Sixers started the half 4 of 6 from the floor. Doc Rivers called a time out t stop a 9-4 burst, and immediately went over to Krstic.

Halftime, Sixers 49, Celtics 45: The Sixers are serious about stunning the Celtics. They've fired away from the 3-point line (4 of 7) and they've gotten a ton out of Spencer Hawes (11) while the Celitcs got off to another slow start missing 12 of their 20 shots in the first quarter, turning the ball over four times.

Second quarter: Sixers 46-43:The two teams traded punches for a spell. Paul Pierce threw down yet another dunk (that's 28 this season if you're counting), Andre Iguodala answered with a 3. Nenad Krstic drilled a 19-footer. Jodie Meeks knocked down another 3. Finally, Ray Allen took a touch pass from Paul Pierce, wrapped it around his back for Krstic for a dunk.

Second quarter, Sixers 41-36, 3:13: Kevin Garnett just missed two baseline jumpers that he'd normally knock down in a coma. He's 1 for 5 tonight after going 5 of 19 against the Clippers. Meanwhile, Spencer Hawes (11 points on 5 of 7 shooting) is at three-alarms and counting.

Second quarter, Sixers 35-28, 7:44: This is actually a fairly nice test for the reserves. The Sixers lead the league in bench scoring (40.3) with Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams, arguable two of their best players coming off the bench.

Second quater, Sixers 29-24, 10:34: The second unit inherits another deficit, but they're working with it. Carlos Arroyo came right in and found a good midrange shot for Jeff Green. He was in the locker room breaking down game tape on his MacBook before the game.

First quarter, Sixers 25-19, 30.4: Another rhythmless start for the Celtics. The Sixers have turned the Celtics' four turnovers into 7 points. They're shooting 48 percent. But Spencer Hawes has been lighting it up, knocking down 4 of his first 6 shots.

First quarter, Sixers 14-10 5:33:Nip-tuck early. The Sixers are out and running, Elton Brand and Spencer Hawes both have dunks earlier and Andre Iguodala's getting it however he wants it, including a 3 from in front of his own bench to give his team a 4-point lead

Pregame: The Celtics have won seven straight games at what's now the Wells Fargo Center. The last time they were here, Kevin Garnett sealed it by finishing off a lob with 1.4 seconds left.

Tonight, the Celtics know they're facing a much different Sixers team and there's a chance they could see each other in the postseason.

"They’re a team," Doc Rivers said. "You see that. You see group of guys who have completely bought into their coach. They’re different, same group, they’re just a different team. Iguodala is the biggest change, earlier in the year you saw it, but his numbers didn’t say it. We made the comment, ‘Man, he’s bought in.’ It’s going to work. And now you’re seeing it. It’s really neat to see. I love it. Especially young guy that’s had a lot of success, that’s already been paid, been a star in some ways. He changes his game for the better of the team and now he realizes it’s better for him now. Tough sale, tough to do, he did it. BUt all of them, they’re a close-knit, they touch each other now instead of walking away from each other."

There's mutual respect between Doug Collins and Doc Rivers, who know their teams could see each other in the playoffs.

By Julian Benbow, Globe Staff

Tip-off: 7:00 p.m.
Records: Celtics (46-16), 76ers (33-31)
Broadcast info: CSN, WEEI
Officials: Bob Delaney, Michael Smith, Haywoode Workman

Getty Images

Rajon Rondo's drawn tough matchups the past two games.

Probable starters:
Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Nenad Krstic

76ers:
PG Jrue Holiday
SG: Jodie Meeks
SF: Andre Iguodala
PF: Elton Brand
C: Spencer Hawes

Storylines:

Playoff preview? Right now, the Celtics are in first place by a game-and-a-half over the Bulls. The Sixers are in seventh place, a game behind New York for sixth place and six games ahead of Indiana, in the eighth spot. Even though their schedule down the stretch is tough, the Sixers haven't given much thought to facing the Celtics in the first round. "My feeling right now is, I just want enough wins to get in," said Doug Collins. "I want our guys to get into the playoffs. Who we play, it doesn’t matter to me because we’re going to play a great team and we’re going to learn from it no matter who we play." But Doc Rivers is building his playoff files now."You’re creating files that you would never create," Rivers said. "We played Golden State and I didn’t create another file after that, because we won’t see them again. With Philly, Milwaukee, you could see again, so you have to prepare for them."

Shoring up the defense: The Celtics have given up 100 points in four of their past five games. The past two, Rajon Rondo's had his issues with a pair of brutal matchups against Brandon Jennings, who scored 23 points Sunday and Mo Williams, who dropped 28 Wednesday. "We’ve been bad," Rivers said. "We just haven’t done our jobs. Each guy, we’ve been bad defensively. Point blank. No excuses, has nothing to do with the new guys. We haven’t changed our schemes, we’re just not doing it, and that’s the guys that have been here and the new guys. We just haven’t done it, we haven’t done it well."

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

PHILADELPHIA -- Glen Davis made the trip for tonight's game against the 76ers, and tested out his strained left patella tendon during the Celtic's shootaround at the Wells Fargo Center.

Davis has missed the past three games after tweaking his knee at the end of the Celtics' win over the Suns March 2. He said he's felt pain in the knee going back to last season, playing through for the team's first 59 games.

Davis is one of five Celtics out with injuries, but Rivers expects him to be the first to return.

"I might practice tomorrow," Davis said. "I might. It depends on how this feels."

The team's lack of depth in the front court was exploited in their loss the Clippers on Wednesday. The shootaround was Davis' first basketball activity since the injury. That's not counting playing NBA 2K11.

"I’m scoring buckets on everybody," Davis said. "I play with Miami. I just want to get ‘em a win.”

Getty Images

For squeezing every ounce of potential out of a young 76ers team, Doug Collins has to be in the Coach of the Year conversation.

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

The Bulls are the second best team in the East, and their new coach Tom Thibodeau, a Celtics hand-me-down, is probably at the front of the pack for Coach of the Year, since his painfully meticulous work habits have helped turn Derrick Rose into almost everyone’s MVP choice. But Doug Collins will get his share of votes for squeezing every ounce of potential out of a bunch of young Simbas in Philadelphia. Unless you count Andre Iguodala, they have no stars. Eight of the team’s 14 players are less than 24 years old. After starting the season 5-14, they’re now 33-31, a game behind the Knicks -- the Amare Stoudemire/Carmelo Anthony Knicks -- for sixth place in the East. He won Coach of the Month honors for February and brushed it off, but his even demeanor and teacher’s patience have players and management believing that he’s changing the culture in Philly.

From By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY

”He yells at you, he disciplines you and, at the same time, he loves you," Jrue Holiday said. "There's times when he's going to get mad at you, but that's only to make you better. He's done that with the whole team."

With essentially the same team that went 27-55 last season, Collins has the Sixers at 33-31 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, six games ahead of the Indiana Pacers.

"Doug has done a remarkable job in molding our players into a unit," Sixers President Rod Thorn said. "Just because you know the game doesn't mean you can teach the game. Obviously, he knows it, but he's also a very good teacher.”

By Zuri Berry, Boston.com staff

The accolades keep pouring in for Doc Rivers' son Austin Rivers.

Austin Rivers was named the Naismith High school basketball player of the year today, another highlight in a stellar prep career for the Winter Park (Fla.) guard. He's already committed to playing for Duke.

Last week, he scored 25 points and nabbed 11 rebounds en route to the Florida Class 6A title. He averaged 29.2 points per game his senior year, according to USA Basketball.

"Being named the Naismith Player of the Year is a tremendous honor, especially considering only one person each year earns this prestigious award," said Doc Rivers in a release. "As a parent, I am extremely proud of Austin and as a coach, I'm impressed with how hard he works each day on becoming a better player. Our family is full of pride that Austin is receiving such a remarkable accolade and will be noted with this amazing distinction in basketball history."

Austin Rivers is roundly regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the country.

By Steve Silva, Boston.com Staff

The big man still needs more time.

Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal, who has been shut down with a sore right Achilles’ tendon since Feb. 1, spoke about his health and his impending return when he called into WEEI's "Mut and Merloni show" this afternoon.

"Getting better, getting better." the 39-year-old Shaq said when asked how he was feeling. "I can remember the time when I was 19 and I got hit by a car and five minutes later I'd be OK, it's just the older you get, it takes time to heal."

"[It's] getting better, getting stronger. Still a little pain. I've been instructed by the Big Three [Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen] and Doc [Rivers]: Come back when there's no pain."

O'Neal said it would be the Celtics call as to when he returns to the court.

"Me and Doc [are] from the same era," O'Neal said. "If it's not getting better, shoot it up, and let's go out and play but we're looking at the 18-25 thing here, so we want to do things right. The team's playing well, [backup center Nenad] Krstic is doing a fabulous job, and they want me at a thousand percent especially for the postseason because that's when it really counts." According to Shaq, "18-25" refers to the goal of winning the 18th NBA title for “the beautiful people of Boston,” plus a second championship for Doc Rivers and the group that won title No. 17, and "five for me."

When pressed to give a date for his return, Shaq would not commit to any timetable.

"I can't give you a date 'cause right now the little pain fluctuates," O'Neal said. "But I've been told by Doc and [trainer] Ed Lacerte, and Doc Hollywood [team physician] Brian McKeon that don't even come talk to him until I’m 100 percent. I’m working out every day in the locker room, shooting, just doing light stuff. But they said when that pain is gone then we're going to add three days onto that, and then you can come back."

Shaq also shared his thoughts on the trade of Kendrick Perkins. "I was training and I heard about the trade and it was kind of a sad ordeal," O'Neal said. "I got to really know a lot about him. I got to see his work ethic. I didn't realize that he was from Texas, and I'm from Texas. We just hung out on the road, talk strategies, talk shop all the time, and it was kind of sad. But this is the business of basketball. Because I always thought I always thought I was going to be an Orlando Magic player for my whole career, but you know, business kicks in."

The ubiquitous Boston celebrity also said he plans to visit an elderly complex in the North End of Boston on Monday night after residents wrote to him asking if he would come by.

"I get a lot of fan mail and an elderly person wants me to come by their place and hang out with them," O'Neal said. "I accepted. So I think I'll be doing that, having dinner with the elderly. ...I don't call them elderly. I'm having dinner with friends. I'm going to eat pizza, play bingo, and do some square dancing."

The Globe's Gary Washburn has more on Shaq who attended an event at the Boston’s Children’s Museum earlier this week.

The Celtics rallied in the fourth quarter -- they were down by more than 20 points in last night's game at TD Garden -- but couldn't finish it off in a 108-103 loss to the Clippers last night. Watch a video recap above.

Next up is a visit to Philadelphia to face the 76ers tomorrow.

Final, Clippers 108-103: The Celtics end the game with a last-second lob by Paul Pierce that bounces off the backboard. Game over. Mo Williams scores a game-high 28 points. Allen has 23 points for the Celtics.

Fourth quarter, 9.1, Clippers 106-103: Ray Allen fouls Randy Foye, who hits both free throws to make it a 5-point game.
Fourth quarter, 10.5, Clippers 106-103: Ray Allen hits a 3-pointer from left corner.

Fourth quarter, 15.6, Clippers 106-100: Celtics come out of timeout and Pierce gets open 3 at the top of the key that misses. Rondo fouls Jordan, who converts both free throws. Celtics take another timeout.

Fourth quarter, 25.3, Clippers 104-100: Jeff Green hits 3-pointer. Clippers take over but shot clangs off the rim. Paul Pierce grabs the rebound. Timeout Celtics.

Fourth quarter, 2:05, Clippers 102-93: Mo Williams hits another 3-pointer. Celtics have given up at least 100 points in four consecutive games.

Fourth quarter, 3:59, Clippers 97-87: The Celtics don't seem to have an answer for the outside shooting of the Clippers. L.A. is 8 of 17 from 3-point range. Ryan Gomes hit the most recent 3 to push the Clippers' lead back to double digits.

Fourth quarter, 4:29, Clippers 94-85: Clippers regain control after Williams hits another 3. Blake Griffin follows with two free throws. Garnett misses two consecutive jumpers.

Fourth quarter, 5:23, Clippers 86-83: Garnett gets the basket from about 20 feet out to make it a 3-point game.

Fourth quarter, 7:36, Clippers 86-80: Huge turnaround in favor of the Celtics.Rondo steals ball from Randy Foye and ends up with layup. On the next possession Arroyo grabs a rebound and Ray Allen hits the 3-pointer to make it a 6-point game. It's the closest the Celtics have been to the lead since the first quarter.

Fourth quarter, 9:36, Clippers 84-73: Krstic gets the fans pumped here at the Garden. He is fouled by Chris Kaman under the basket and converts the free throw for the 3-point play. He comes back after Ray Allen grabs defensive rebound and hits a 3-pointer.

Third quarter, 0:00, Clippers 76-66: Jeff Green gets the layup to end the quarter and inch the Celtics back in this game. Celtics use a 7-1 run in the final 3 minutes of the quarter to make the fourth quarter worth sticking around for.

Third quarter, 4:31, Clippers 71-55: Tough night continues for Garnett. He's 3 of 13 after missing another jump shot that bounces off the rim.

Third quarter, 7:06, Clippers 67-53: Paul Pierce is challenging the Clippers inside. He converts a free throw after he is fouled on jumper. Then adds two more free throws later to account for 5 of 7 points.

Second quarter, 0:00, Clippers 60-42: First half was ugly for the Celtics who couldn't get into a rhythm offensively and struggled to stop the Clippers at the other end. Garnett has hit 3 of 10 shots from the floor, but converted all four free throws to end the half with 10 points. Overall, Celtics are shooting 40 percent (16 of 40) from the field. Mo Williams has 18 points and DeAndre Jordan has 13 points for the Clippers. Ray Allen has 11 points for the Celtics.

Second quarter, 2:28, Clippers 54-36: Defense nonexistent for the Celtics. The Clippers are shooting 71.4 percent (5 of 7) from the arc and have converted 23 of 34 shots overall.

Second quarter, 3:49, Clippers 48-34: Celtics starters all back on the floor. After a couple of miscues, Paul Pierce gets open for nice two-handed dunk in the lane.

Second quarter, 5:10 Clippers 46-32: Someone might want to take a look at Mo Williams. He's 3-of-3 from the 3-point line and has a game-high 16 points so far.

Second quarter, 7:27, Clippers 37-24: Arroyo pulls up on fastbreak and attempts a jumper that is blocked by Jamario Moon.

Second quarter, 10:31, Clippers 33-19: Carlos Arroyo enters the game and sends no-look pass to Krstic but Krstic misses the layup.

First quarter, end of quarter, Clippers 30-17: Not the first quarter the Celtics expected. The Celtics are outscored 15-4 in the final five minutes of the quarter. Celtics getting beat on the boards 10-7 and have just two offensive rebounds in first quarter. Celtics shooting 36.8% from the field compared to 68.4% by the Clippers.

First quarter, 2:33, Clippers 26-13: Celtics call another timeout as Clippers on a nice run. Jordan rises up with a dunk that gives Clippers 11-0 run and forces Doc Rivers to call T.O.

First quarter, 3:22, Clippers 22-13: Celtics come out of the timeout with Ray Allen hitting 3. Jeff Green in the game for Nenad Krstic but it does little to slow down Clippers.

First quarter, 7:51, Clippers 15-10: Head-swiveling start here at TD Garden as the Clippers hang with the Celtics and eventually take 5-point lead. Their biggest to this point. DeAndre Jordan has 6 of the 15 for the Clippers.

Ray Allen was one of several Celtics to meet privately with President Barack Obama last night at an MFA fundraiser.

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

Thanks to a couple of team owners, the Celtics had a chance to meet privately with President Barack Obama Tuesday night. But before they could get to the hoop talk, there was an outstanding issue between Obama and Rivers, who ignored the president’s phone call this summer after the Finals.

“He brought that up for sure,” Rivers said. “I’ve learned that if it’s a ‘202’ area code, you should probably answer it.”

Rivers met the president at an Museum of Fine Arts fundraiser along with several other Celtics, including Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo.

The Celtics have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but the Chicago Bulls, Obama’s hometown team, were a constant topic. New head coach Tom Thibodeau, Rivers’ longtime assistant, is in the running for coach of the year.

“He actually thanked us for giving them our guy,” Allen said. “He was like, ‘How’d you let that guy go.’”

Rivers called Thibodeau that night.

“He talked a lot about the Bulls,” Rivers said. “I will say that. That was good.

Having watched a couple Bulls games, apparently seeing Garnett get chippy with Joakim Noah, Rivers couldn’t help ask Garnett about a couple of elbows he may or may not have thrown.

“Kevin had to answer that question from the president of the United States,” Allen said. “You have to ask him what he said. I was like, ‘Yup, he’s watching, Kevin.”

It was the third time Allen’s met a president in his career (he met George W. Bush with the Celtics in 2008 and Bill Clinton with the Bucks). For Rivers, it was the second time talking with Obama and he wanted to schedule another meeting, pending the Celtics’ playoff fortune.

“He asked me if I needed anything, which if the president asks you that, you could say many things,” Rivers said. “I just told him I’d like to secure a date to see him again. That’d be nice.”

This dunk was an inevitable part of facing Blake Griffin and the Clippers, but Doc Rivers said the goal is to keep the highlights to a minimum.

By Julian Benbow, Globe Staff

Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Celtics (46-15), Warriors (24-40)
Broadcast info: CSN, WEEI
Officials: Dick Bavetta, Kevin Fehr, John Goble

Getty Images

Blake Griffin had 21 points and 11 rebounds in the first meeting.

Probable starters:
Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Nenad Krstic

Clippers:
PG Mo Williams
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Ryan Gomes
PF: Blake Griffin
C: Deandre Jordan

Storylines:

Time's ticking: The Celtics feel like they have all their pieces in place. Now, they have 21 games and a little more than a month to see how they fit together. Not only that, but they still need Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal, Delonte West, Glen Davis and Von Wafer to get healthy. "I’m not going to push them," Rivers said. "Yeah, the clock is ticking, there’s no doubt about that but the one thing I told [trainer Eddie [Lacerte] is that we need them on the floor, but we need them healthy, too. We’re going to choose health for."

Air traffic control: Blake Griffin got his double-double (21 points, 11 rebounds) and his highlight (click above) in his first meeting with the Celtics last month, but he was a non-factor in the fourth quarter (no points, one rebound). He got his first taste of Kevin Garnett in that game, saying KG has his "tricks" and gets calls that a rookie won't. Tonight, Rivers may throw Jeff Green at Griffin even though he doesn't like the way the defense looks when Green's at the power forward spot. "It’ll be difficult to put Jeff at ‘4’ with those monsters," Rivers said. "It’ll be a game of chicken."

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Celtics spent their Tuesday evening meeting with President Obama at a fundraiser at the Museum of Fine Arts. Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and coach Doc Rivers all were in attendance along with co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. According to Globe reporter Glen Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal was not in attendance to the player-optional event with Obama.

"We were thrilled to visit with the President. He spoke about the Boston Celtics unselfish play and teamwork," Pagliuca said in a statement. "It was inspiring for us to hear those words and we told the President we hope to see him in the Whitehouse in the fall after the NBA Finals."

By Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff

Columnists Bob Ryan and Christopher L. Gasper don't agree on whether Boston's hockey or basketball team is better positioned to win a title this season. But you've got to watch the latest Globe 10.0 to find out which one goes which way.

Cast your vote below.

Glen Davis and Delonte West will sit out at least until the weekend.

By Julian Benbow, Globe Staff

WALTHAM -- Delonte West was riding an exercise bike, and Glen Davis was wrapped in towels at practice today, fairly clear indicators that neither would be returning to the court any time soon.

Davis, who strained his left patella tendon last week against the Suns, has missed the past two games and will miss the next two, according to Celtics coach Doc Rivers. West has missed the last four games after spraining his right ankle in a walkthrough on the Celtics' West Coast trip. Rivers said he could return Sunday against the Bucks.

Davis, who has said that the knee has been bothering him since last season, said his jumping ability has been limited by the injury. He said he expected to practice within a matter of days.

"Just a lot of up and down, a lot of things like that.," Davis said. "I’m not doing no jumping. I’m not doing no shooting, anything like that. I have to try to do that in the next couple days."

Meanwhile, Von Wafer, who strained his right calf last Friday against Golden State, was walking around the practice facility in a boot and Rivers said, "Von’s going to miss a while. He’s nowhere close to coming back."

There was a crowd of media around Carlos Arroyo at his frist practice, but he said it wasn't as overwhelming as what he dealt with in Miami.

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

WALTHAM -- Carlos Arroyo's first practice was a short, open session in front of a handful of season ticket holders at Health Point, a slightly different setting from the media-frenzied hype machine he had gotten used to in Miami.

"It was just to much at times," Arroyo said. "Media everywhere, fans everywhere. It was a lot. It was a lot, like people say, like being the Beatles, . But I’m happy to be here."

With just 21 games left to pick up the Celtics's schemes, Arroyo said one things were familiar if only because of Arroyo's past battles with the Celtics.

"He played against us in two playoff series," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "So he knows some of our stuff."

Arroyo will eat some of Rajon Rondo's minutes. The Celtics' all star point guard is averaging more than 39 minutes a night since January. Arroyo will be the first true backup point guard the Celtics have had in a long while.

"He’s a point guard," Rivers said. 'He’s been a point guard all his life. So I think some of the stuff, he’ll pick up pretty quickly. And all the nuances of things, that’ll just take time. But he knows how to run a team and that’ll be great for us."

Celtics captain Paul Pierce sliced through four Bucks and threw down a nasty one-handed dunk in Sunday night's win in Milwaukee.

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

Celtics captain Paul Pierce was selected Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

From the release:

Pierce led Boston to a 4-0 week, averaging 21.8 points on .587 shooting (27 for 46) to go along with 8.0 rebounds. On March 4 vs. Golden State, Pierce tallied 27 points and was a perfect 8 for 8 from the line to secure a 107-103 victory. This is the second time in the 2010-11 season that Pierce has garnered Player of the Week honors.

Feb. 28 @ Utah: Scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a 107-102 win over the Jazz.
March 2 vs. Phoenix: Recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds in a win over the Suns.
March 4 vs. Golden State: Poured in 27 points to go along with seven rebounds in a 107-103 win over the Warriors.
March 6 @ Milwaukee: Tallied 23 points, five rebounds and four assists in a win over the Bucks.

(Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff)

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

BOSTON -- Speaking at his birthday celebration at the Boston Children's Museum, Shaquille O'Neal said today that he could be back on the court within a week and his sore right foot and Achilles tendon is improving.

O'Neal, who turned 39 Sunday, visited the museum and cut a mammoth green and white birthday cake before briefly speaking with reporters.

"Hopefully in the next week [I'll be back], they want me back at 100 percent," he said. "I tried to run on it the other day and it felt pretty good but I took a step back and I am going to get back out there in a few days. I don’t really feel like I’m 39."

O'Neal hasn't played since Feb. 1 and Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Sunday that trainer Ed Lacerte told him not to expect O'Neal back "any time soon."

The future Hall of Fame center said he would be in the lineup if it were the playoffs but team doctor Brian McKeon and Rivers won't allow him to take a cortisone shot and play.

"[Dr. McKeon] is going a great job, Ed Lacerte is doing a great job," he said. "I've been working on it, getting treatment. It will be all right."

The Celtics are depending on O'Neal to return and produce after they traded Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder. O'Neal said he has spoken with Perkins since the deal.

"Perkins has meant a lot to this city and he really helped them get No. 17 and we’re going to miss him," he said. "He was my main man. Everybody loves Perk. I love him. We became real good friends and I congratulated him on his new deal. But this is a business. He’s going to be missed. We had a great time this year being on the same team."

Paul Pierce's thunderous dunk last night against the Bucks got us thinking about the best plays of the season for the Celtics (Paul's behind-the-neck pass last night wasn't bad, either).

Use our submit form to give us your favorite Celtics play of the season. At the end of the year we'll pick a top 10.

By Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff

Paul Pierce scored 23 points and new guy Nenad Krstic added 17 as the Celtics added to their lead in the Eastern Conference by beating the Bucks 89-83 on a day that also saw the Heat lose their fourth straight.

The Celtics now lead the Eastern Conference by three games over the Bulls, and the Heat are four behind.

Watch highlights from last night's game in the CineSport video above.

Final, Celtics 89-83: Kevin Garnett blocks Luc Richard Mbah a Moute's layup attempt and Paul Pierce completes a three-point play to seal the win. Pierce finished with 23 points.

Fourth quarter, 38.5, Celtics 86-82: Kevin Garnett drains an 11-footer from the baseline for a 4-point lead. Milwaukee ball.

Fourth quarter, 1:23, Celtics 84-82: Celtics get a defensive stand and now have the ball with a chance to make it a two-possession game. Paul Pierce has 20 points for Boston and Kevin Garnett has 12 and 10 rebounds.

Fourth quarter, 2:52, Tied at 82: The Bucks are on a 5-0 run, tying the game on a Carlos Delfino 3-pointer as the Celtics have wasted numerous chances to build on their leads. The Celtics are 5-for-14 from the field in the quarter with two turnovers.

Fourth quarter, 5:57, Celtics 77-76: The Celtics led 72-65 and looked ready to put the Bucks away but the offense have gone cold and Brandon Jennings is dominating his matchup with Rajon Rondo. He just scored his 22nd point and has a free throw that could tie the score.

Fourth quarter, 8:59, Celtics 72-68: Sasha Pavlovic hits his first field goal as a Celtic, a 3-pointer to give Boston a 7-point lead, its largest of the game. But John Salmons comes back with a 3-pointer in front of the Celtics' bench. The Celtics are shooting 51 percent but have 15 turnovers, including six by Rajon Rondo.

End of third quarter, Celtics 69-65: A strong defensive quarter for the Celtics, who held the Bucks to 5-for-19 from the field and 16 points. But the lead is precarious and the Celtics need more consistent offense to seal this one. Brandon Jennings has 20 points for Milwaukee and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has 17. Paul Pierce has 20 and Nenad Krstic 17 for Boston.

Third quarter, 3:46, Celtics 62-58: Boston is on an 8-0 run as Nenad Krstic continues to benefit from Rajon Rondo feeds and a nice touch around the basket. He has 17 points and Paul Pierce has 20, including a resounding dunk on a fastbreak that gave the Celtics a 1-point lead.

Third quarter, 7:00, Bucks 58-54: The Celtics rallied back to tie the game at 54 but have slipped defensively and now trail again. This is going to be a struggle for the Celtics because they are tired and short-handed. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has 16 points as does Brandon Jennings.

Halftime, Bucks 49-43: Milwaukee pulls down 10 offensive rebounds and scores 12 second-chance points in a poor first half for the Celtics. The Celtics rallied to score 16 points in the second quarter after four in the first seven minutes. The Celtics are actually shooting 55 percent but have attempted 11 fewer shots than Milwaukee because of 11 turnovers.

Second quarter, 1:25, Bucks 46-43: The Bucks are simply out-hustling the Celtics, chasing down nine offense rebounds to Boston's two and they are hitting some tough shots. Ray Allen is 1-for-6 from the field with two points and his jumper is short, a sign of tired legs.

Second quarter, 5:59, Bucks 38-31: A tough night so far for Ray Allen, who is 0 of 4 from the field and just committed a foul on John Salmons after falling for a pump fake. The Bucks are making tough shots but the Celtics have just four points in the first six minutes on 1-for-6 shooting.

Second quarter, 8:48, Bucks 33-27: The second unit is disheveled and the Bucks are on a 9-0 run over the first and second quarters. Milwaukee is shooting 52 percent and have forced six Celtics turnovers. Rajon Rondo is back in the game for Avery Bradley.

End of first quarter, Celtics 27-26: Boston ends quarter on a 17-6 behind 12 first-quarter points from Nenad Krstic, but the Celtics need to contain Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who has 12 points in 10 minutes. Brandon Jennings has eight for Milwaukee.

First quarter, 2:50, Bucks 20-18: Celtics on an 8-0 run after the defense finally decides to show up to Bradley Center. Nenad Krstic is off to another fast start with eight points while Paul Pierce has four. Five players didn't make the trip, so the Celtics' bench is empty, that is not your television.

First quarter, 5:09, Bucks 20-10: Not quite the way the Celtics wanted to start against a short-handed team. The Bucks are off to 75 percent shooting (9-for-12) and most of them are layups against porous Celtics defense. Brandon Jennings has eight points while Luc Richard Mbah a Moute has eight, all on layups.

First quarter, 10:11, Celtics 4-3: Kevin Garnett begins the game with a spinning layup and Brandon Jennings responds with three straight points. Rajon Rondo comes back with an 18-footer.

By Gary Washburn, Globe staff

Tip-off: 9 p.m.(ET)
Records: Celtics (45-15), Bucks (23-37)
Broadcast info: CSN, ESPN, WEEI 850-AM
Officials: Mike Callahan, Mark Lindsay, Leon Wood

Probable starters:
Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Nenad Krstic

Bucks:
PG Brandon Jennings
SG: John Salmons
SF: Carlos Delfino
PF: Larry Sanders
C: Jon Brockman

Storylines:

No Arroyo: The Celtics will be without newly acquired Carlos Arroyo, who will join the team for Tuesday's practice in Boston. Doc Rivers said Arroyo was acquired for his veteran savvy and to spell Rajon Rondo, who is playing heavy minutes of late.

No Wafer: Swingman Von Wafer did not make the trip to Milwaukee and Rivers said he is unsure how long he will be out. Rivers also said Shaquille O'Neal, who is celebrating his 39th birthday today, is not close to returning after pain returned to his Achilles tendon. The Celtics also will be without Glen Davis, who is out with a sore left knee.

Celtics have nothing on Bucks injuries: Milwaukee will be without four players tonight: Center Andrew Bogut, who usually fares well against the Celtics, has a left ribcage strain; Drew Gooden has left plantar fasciitis; Ersen Ilyasova has a concussion and Michael Redd remains sidelined with a torn left ACL and MCL.

By Gary Washburn and Julian Benbow, Globe Staff

The Celtics have reached an agreement with former Miami Heat point guard Carlos Arroyo, according to an NBA source. With Delonte West nursing a sprained ankle and Celtics coach Doc Rivers wary of playing Rajon Rondo high minutes, the Celtics have targeted Arroyo as relief.

Arroyo was waived by the Heat when they decided to sign Mike Bibby. He played in 49 games with Miami this season, averaging 5.6 points and two assists. He shot nearly 46 percent from the field and 44 percent from the 3-point line. But the Heat sought a pure distributor and Arroyo has averaged just 3.1 assists during his NBA career.

The Celtics elected not to re-sign Chris Johnson to a second 10-day contract, opening up an opportunity to bring Arroyo. It is uncertain whether he will join the Celtics in Milwaukee, where they play the Bucks tomorrow at 9 p.m. ET.

The Celtics will not sign center Chris Johnson to a second 10-day contract, indicating they are on the verge of adding a point guard.

The Celtics have been seeking a backup for starter Rajon Rondo, but would have kept Johnson if they had been unable to add a reserve guard, according to a team source.

Center Shaquille O'Neal "will not be back Wednesday" for the Celtics' game against the Los Angeles Clippers, coach Doc Rivers said Saturday.

O'Neal sustained a foot injury, according to Rivers.

Guard Delonte West could return for the Clipper game. Von Wafer, injured in the Celtics' 107-103 win over Golden State Friday, will be out for "two to three games," according to Rivers.

Forward Glen Davis' status has not been determined. Davis worked out separately from the team, going through a brief post-practice shooting drill.

By Julian Benbow, Globe staff

Shaquille O’Neal is lobbying to play Sunday — on his 39th birthday — against Milwaukee, but Rivers wants to get the center more practice time. The target date for his return is Wednesday at home against the Clippers. “If nothing happens in practice.’’ Rivers said. “I’m scared to say that now with our shootarounds being so grueling.’’

Final, Celtics 107-103: The Celtics defense responds down the stretch as Golden State scores two points in the final 2:16 while Ray Allen hits two clinching free throws with 12 seconds left to seal another home win. The Celtics play next Sunday at Milwaukee.

Fourth quarter, 1:31, Celtics 105-101: The Celtics are using Paul Pierce, who completed a three-point play and then converted a layup to hold on. The Warriors have firepower, so the game is far from over. Monta Ellis has 41 points.

Fourth quarter, 3:16, Celtics 100-99: The Celtics are reeling, unable to stop Monta Ellis, who has 41 points on 13-for-22 shooting. He just hit a 3-pointer to bring the Warriors to within one and the Celtics committed a turnover. Boston is also out of timeouts.

Fourth quarter, 5:32, Celtics 100-91: The Boston defense has stepped up and while the offense is stagnant, it is holding off the game Warriors, who responded from a 17-point deficit. Monta Ellis has 35 points and six rebounds while David Lee has 24 and 10. Ray Allen has 25 points for Boston while Rajon Rondo has 15 assists.

Fourth quarter, 8:22, Celtics 94-87: The Celtics are in a fight as Golden State has gotten a combined 55 points from David Lee and Monta Ellis. Jeff Green has 19 points off the bench while Ray Allen leads the Celtics with 25 on 9-for-10 shooting.

End of third quarter, Celtics 88-81: The Warriors end the quarter with a 14-4 run and it's a game again. Monta Ellis has 29 points, 16 in the third quarter and the Celtics scored four points in the final 5:22 of the quarter after scoring 20 points in the first 6:38. The Celtics are going to need some defensive stops to win.

Third quarter, 2:39, Celtics 86-73: Monta Ellis is threatening to make this a one-man run as he has 25 points and his six straight points brought Golden State to within 11. The problem for the Warriors is they are playing no defense, so Paul Pierce has scored 13 points in the third quarter and 20 for the game. Jeff Green has 15 points while Rajon Rondo has 11 assists.

Third quarter, 8:42, Celtics 72-61: Celtics trying to stay ahead, realizing the Warriors are capable of a big run. Ray Allen has 20 points while Paul Pierce has 13. Monta Ellis has 19 for Golden State.

Halftime, Celtics 64-53: The Celtics played an impeccable offensive half, shooting nearly 66 percent and getting 33 combined points from Ray Allen and Jeff Green. The Warriors shot 52 percent and received 16 points from David Lee and 13 from Monta Ellis.

Second quarter, 2:03, Celtics 61-51: The Celtics have led by as many as 14 points but two straight Dorell Wright baskets have cut the lead to 10. Ray Allen has 20 points for Boston and Jeff Green is turning in his best game as a Celtics with 13 points. Nenad Krstic has eight. David Lee has 16 for Golden State.

Second quarter, 5:22, Celtics 53-43: Ray Allen is on his way to a stellar game, already scoring 18 points with four 3-pointers as the Celtics are shooting nearly 65 percent from the field. Jeff Green has 11 points in nine minutes while Rajon Rondo has seven assists.

Second quarter, 7:47, Celtics 40-36: Monta Ellis is beginning to heat up. He has 10 points and he is leading the Warriors' comeback after the Celtics led by as many as 10. Ray Allen has 12 points and Von Wafer has seven points off the bench.

End of first quarter, Celtics 32-27: The Celtics let down in the final two minutes of the quarter and the Warriors end the period with two acrobatic layups from Dorell Wright and Monta Ellis. David Lee has 14 points in 11 minutes while Stephen Curry has five.

First quarter, 2:12, Celtics 30-20: Boston has begun the game hitting 11 of its first 16 shots and the duo of Ray Allen and Nenad Krstic have 18 points. The Warriors are being carried by David Lee's 12 points while Stephen Curry has five. Celtics on a 12-3 run.

First quarter, 5:17, Celtics 18-17: Celtics offense is flowing but they can't stop David Leee, who already has 12 points in seven minutes. The Celtics are 6 of 10 from the field and Rajon Rondo has three assists. Ray Allen has 10 points, six of those on 3-pointers.

(AP)

With Glen Davis nursing a strained left knee tendon and Delonte West out with a sprained ankle, the bench will be missing two key pieces tonight against the Warriors< /p>

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Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Celtics (44-15), Warriors (27-33)
Broadcast info: CSN, WEEI
Officials: Marc Davis, David Guthrie, Marat Kogut

Getty Images

Kevin Garnett has taken to the versatile new pick-up Jeff Green.

Probable starters:
Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Nenad Krstic

Warriors:
PG Stephen Curry
SG: Monta Ellis
SF: Dorell Wright
PF: David Lee
C: Andris Biedrins

Storylines:

Setting the pace: The Warriors are seventh in the league in scoring (102.7) and they're second in fastbreak points (18.8). When they played the Celtics two weeks ago, they tried to turn it into a race to 100 points, but never made it, losing 115-93, being held to 33 points in the second half after scoring 30 in each of the first two quarter. Even though the Warriors like to play at a fast pace, Celtics coach Doc Rivers didn't tell his team speeding tickets were encouraged, and Kevin Garnett led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds. "They want to run," Garnett said. "I have no idea what they think that we are, but we want to run, too. That's a nice pace for us. It's a tiresome pace, it's a work pace, and we play defense at that pace, which is something I don't think they do. But they put points up."

Working in Pavlovic: A practice yesterday, a shootaround and a walkthrough today. That's the extent of Sasha Pavlovic's indoctrination before his debut tonight. He'll be thrown into the mix with the Celtics' other new faces Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic and Troy Murphy. Of all the additions, Rivers said Krstic has had the easiest time acclimating, playing off teammates like Garnett. Meanwhile, because of all the options he has with Green -- power forward, small forward, perimeter, paint -- it's been more difficult finding a niche quickly.

Lin gets his diploma: Apparently, he was so busy running through the pre-draft maze that after graduating from Harvard with a degree in economics last summer, Former Crimson star Jeremy Lin never got a chance to grab his diploma. So since he was in town with the Warriors, he stopped by to pick it up yesterday.

By Matt Pepin, Boston.com Staff

Former Celtics guard Nate Robinson will miss four to six weeks following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Robinson and center Kendrick Perkins were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the NBA deadline for forward Jeff Green and center Nenad Krstic. According to a story on The Oklahoman newspaper's web site, Robinson had discomfort in the knee after a practice earlier in the week, and played in his first game for the Thunder on Wednesday, but the team decided to treat the injury now to have him back in time for the end of the season and playoffs.

Perkins, who signed a four-year contract extension, hasn't played since Feb. 22 because of his own knee injury.

After reaching an agreement last night, Sasha Pavlovic practiced with the Celtics this afternoon in Waltham.

By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe staff

WALTHAM -- Sasha Pavlovic had a long practice day after joining the Celtics Thursday. Pavlovic worked out after the 1 1/2-hour training session ended and will join other Celtic newcomers before Friday's game against Golden State.

"I was happy like never in my life when Boston called," Pavlovic said. "So, I'm happy to be here

"They just want me to play my game. I think I can do pretty good defensively and I can run the fast break and shoot open '3s.' "