Rondo will have to pay up

By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff  |  February 16, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - While Celtics guard Rajon Rondo enjoyed the Sophomores' 136-109 victory last night in the Rookie Challenge, he lost a bet to teammate Kevin Garnett in the process.

Rondo had 6 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals in 18 minutes as a starter for the Sophomores, who beat the Rookies for the sixth straight time. Cleveland guard Daniel Gibson, who was cheered on by teammate LeBron James, earned MVP honors, scoring a game-high 33 points on 11 3-pointers for the Sophomores.

"I had a good time mingling with the guys I came into the draft with," Rondo said. "I get to relax now."

In addition to Garnett, Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who will coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars tomorrow, was also at courtside. Rondo said "it meant at lot" for Garnett and Rivers to attend.

Garnett bet Rondo 100 pushups that he couldn't do "a baby windmill" lefthanded dunk in the game. Garnett stood up during Rondo's attempt in the second half, which was unsuccessful. Rondo plans on watching Kentucky, his college team, play at Louisiana State tonight, then cheer on teammates Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in the All-Star Game.

Nets forward Sean Williams, formerly of Boston College, had 17 points and 10 rebounds in 18 minutes for the Rookies.

"Everybody had fun," Williams said. "Unfortunately, us rookies were on the bad end of the stick."

James on defensive

James got defensive yesterday when he was questioned about the Celtics' success this season and said he is getting fired up by it. James believes people have forgotten Cleveland is the reigning Eastern Conference champion.

The Celtics entered All-Star Weekend with a 41-9 record and are 13 games ahead of the Cavaliers (29-23) in the standings.

"They've got to beat us," James said. "Everyone says we've got to beat the Celtics. We are still the Eastern Conference champs. At some point, we are going to get respect. I'm sick about hearing about everyone else. We are the Eastern Conference champs."

The Pistons (39-13) entered the break three games behind the Celtics in the Eastern standings. Detroit's Chauncey Billups, however, said his team is paying little attention to that.

"I swear to goodness that we never, ever talk about the Celtics or catching the Celtics or being No. 1," Billups said. "Being here, this is the first time I've really talked about it. Obviously, you see that they are playing so great. They are a hell of a team and you see them winning and doing what they do. But we don't talk about catching them and none of that.

"There is going to be a time this season where we see them for a [playoff] series and we can talk all you want about playing the Celtics then. We just want to continue to be playing good and playing our best ball at the right time."

Scary situation

Pierce described the team needing to obtain a restraining order against a woman who has made threatening remarks about him "a little scary."

The Celtics received the temporary order against a Boston woman, Denise Bey, who cannot attend Celtics games at TD Banknorth Garden and cannot be within 300 feet of Pierce. The Celtics captain says he does not know Bey.

"I really don't know about the incident other than what people are telling me," said Pierce. "I talked to [director of team security Phil Lynch] about it. It's a little scary, man. But I don't really worry about stuff like that."

Waiting game

Jason Kidd doesn't know if he will be with the Nets this time next week. Despite reports that Kidd could be dealt to the Mavericks, no deal has been struck. Kidd spoke briefly with Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki yesterday. The trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m.

"I knew there was a snag in the deal," Kidd said. "Everything will work itself out one way or the other. Because there are so many players involved, both sides have to make decisions on a lot of things. So that's where we're at."

Bryant will play

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant won't participate in tonight's 3-point contest because of a torn ligament in his right pinkie, but he plans to play in tomorrow's game. While it might be a cameo, Bryant is expected to start for the West.

According to the Los Angeles Times, NBA officials are insisting he play since the league has a policy that a selectee who plays in his last game before the break must play in the All-Star Game.

"It doesn't seem to me to make sense," said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak in the Times story. "I understand it's the biggest showcase of the year for the NBA, and that's all of us. But from a general manager's point of view, looking out for the interests of our club, to me it doesn't make sense.

"The doctor examining [Bryant] said, 'If you're not going to have surgery, give it time to heal.' Five or six days of healing are certainly better than two or three."

When asked if he has given thought to having surgery, Bryant said: "No. The Western Conference is so competitive, we've got a pretty good rhythm going on here. It doesn't make any sense to go ahead and do that."

Birthday slam

Former Celtic Gerald Green, the reigning slam dunk champion, said he has a special dunk called the "birthday cake" that will be unveiled tonight.

"I can't say what it is," Green said. "It's the birthday cake. That's all I can say."

Green, who will be a free agent this summer, has asked for a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves through his agent, and hopes something can be worked out by the deadline.

"I'm a little bit [nervous]," Green said. "Hopefully, something happens. Call it what you want to call it, but I just want to play. It's all about playing time for me. It's that simple."

Big Ticket items

Garnett did not take part in yesterday's media availability and isn't expected to be at the East's practice today. Garnett was given the option of attending since he is out with an abdominal strain. He and teammates Kendrick Perkins (shoulder), Brian Scalabrine (groin), and Glen Davis (quadriceps, knee) received treatment at the Celtics' practice facility yesterday . . . Rivers said he will start Toronto forward Chris Bosh in place of Garnett. Rivers also joked he planned on playing James, Billups, and Orlando center Dwight Howard, thorns in the Celtics' side, big minutes . . . Pierce, Rivers, Allen, and Bill Russell took part in NBA Cares service projects.