By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

The Lakers are always a measuring stick.

While neither team is favored to win the NBA title this season, this is a big game for both the Celtics and their rivals from Los Angeles. The Celtics have won 9 of 10 games but haven't faced a team as good as the Lakers during that run. Los Angeles is 14-11 overall but is just 3-9 on the road this season. Tonight's game is a chance to rekindle some of the glitz and glamour of the teams that faced off in the 2008 and 2010 Finals. It's a chance for both teams to begin to build the confidence of turning it around.

Tip-off: 8 p.m.
Records: Celtics (14-10), Lakers (14-11)
Broadcast info:CSNNE TNT, WEEI 93.7 FM/850 AM (Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell)

Probable starters:

Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Jermaine O'Neal

Lakers:
PG: Derek Fisher
SG: Kobe Bryant
SF: Metta World Peace
PF: Pau Gasol
C: Andrew Bynum

Storylines:

Kobe and Paul: Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce are superstars who've both achieved incredible milestones in their careers. Bryant just passed Shaquille O'Neal in scoring, while Pierce passed Larry Bird. The milestones are out of the way, unlike during last year's Celtics-Lakers game in Boston when Ray Allen set the NBA's all-time record for 3-pointers. Just a basketball game tonight. Hopefully it's a good one.

Big men: The Celtics rarely have nights when they need to worry about going big, but this is one of them. Jermaine O'Neal will have no choice but to play big and stay out of foul trouble against Andrew Bynum. The Celtics will have a harder time going small against the Lakers as they've done against other teams by playing Brandon Bass and Chris Wilcox alongside Kevin Garnett.

Defense: The Celtics have allowed 86.5 points per game, but they also have one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses at 90.8 points. The Lakers have allowed 97.2 points per game on the road. If the Celtics can score fairly easily, they'll have a very good shot.

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Paul Pierce has always been a contradiction. He's not athletic enough to be an elite NBA scorer, yet he's averaged more than 22 points for his career. He's not quick enough to be a great defender, yet he's shut down Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in the playoffs.

He'll never be Larry Bird, and yet there he was, passing Bird to move into No. 2 on the Celtics' all-time scoring list Tuesday night.

After the game, Pierce echoed the sentiments of majority.

"I’m not gonna sit here and say that I’m anywhere near his accomplishments," said Pierce, talking about Bird.

Pierce didn't become a Celtics legend Tuesday night, but make no mistake that he is one. While surreptitiously passing Bird, Pierce has carved out his legacy through 13 sometimes tumultuous, sometimes euphoric seasons in Boston. His 13 seasons have been marked by incredible durability, consistent scoring, and loyalty to the same franchise in an age when that's considered a bad thing.

Defining his legacy is not easy.

Perhaps more than with any other Boston athlete in recent memory, even diehards have a difficult time tying a pretty bow around Pierce's Place in Celtics lore. Unique circumstances have worked for and against Pierce in his Celtics career. Some have done both. Four stand out:

-- He's played his entire career here.
-- He's unorthodox
-- He's been the best player on a lot of bad teams. He's stepped back a bit to blend in with a few very, very good teams.
-- He won a championship, but only after the arrivals of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

It's all helped -- and it's all hurt -- Pierce's legacy in some way. Take the first bullet point. Celtics fans who've watched Pierce since his rookie season in 1998 have seen just how dominant he can be. Those insiders have appreciated his contributions, but they're also likely to take them for granted. Pierce has always been ours. Like with an ex-girlfriend, you miss some people the most only after they've left. For a few years, Pierce's loyalty to the Celtics seemed to some like an admission of losing. It seemed, at times, misguided.

"You knew eventually it would turn around," Pierce said of his losing years with the Celtics. "I’ve just always been the optimist, just knowing eventually, 'The next year, the next year'. That’s what I always kept saying to myself, that it would eventually turn around."

Then there's the case of playing style. Those who haven't watched Pierce day-in-and-day-out aren't accustomed to it. It's a style that would make Pythagoras jealous, all straight lines and angles, all in what seems like slow motion. There's very little room for freak athleticism, though fans who know better know that Pierce is an incredibly gifted athlete. To score more points than Larry Bird means you've beaten people off the dribble or to the rim a few times. Still, it's a game that outsiders view as unusual, even inferior.

Comparisons to Bird smack right up against conventional Boston sports wisdom. But taken out of context, they're valid. Bird averaged 24.3 points for his career to Pierce's 22.3 points, though Bird needed 3.1 more shots per game to reach that average. Shooting percentage -- Bird is thought of as one of the best shooters ever -- is strongly in favor of Bird, with Bird's career average at 49.6 percent and Pierce's at 44.8 percent. Parse the numbers, however, and the disparity in the shooting numbers disappears. Pierce has attempted 4,370 3-point field goals in his career, to 1,727 for Bird. When you look at a metric called True Shooting Percentage, which takes into account efficiency for 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws, Pierce's TPS is .569, compared to .564 for Bird.

If you choose not to delve into the secondary stats, you should at least be comfortable admitting that both Bird and Pierce are great scorers. Both scored more points in a Celtics uniform than Bill Russell, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Tommy Heinsohn.

But you can't forgot about the bad stuff with Pierce, which is what makes the Bird comparisons so difficult for some. Almost everyone remembers the stabbing incident on Sept. 25 of 2000, but few people remember that Pierce played 82 games that season following his recovery (he played 82 games the next season as well). From his rookie season of 1998 until the assemblage of the New Big Three in 2007, Pierce played on a lot of bad teams. He also took a team that had no business being there to the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics made it to the conference semifinals the following season. Their only truly terrible season in those lean years came during the only season -- 2006 -- in which Pierce missed any significant amount of time. Pierce has played in 79 or more games in nine of his 13 complete seasons in the league.

Pierce was known as a prima donna during those bad years, and the truth is he probably was. After a loss to the Pacers in the 2005 playoffs, Pierce wore a fake bandage on his head during a press conference. Pierce was also on the disastrous 2002 US World Championship team in which the Americans failed to make it out of the quarterfinals. In addition to being the face of his own bad team, he was the face of the country's biggest ever basketball disappointment.

"I'm the classic case of a great player on a bad team," Pierce told the Globe's Jackie MacMullan in 2007. "And it stinks."

There was a reason Pierce earned the arrogant label, but the label came from the perspective of losing. Arrogance is what Kobe Bryant and Derek Jeter and Tom Brady all have that separates them from their competition. Those players put the work in, but they also come to work with chips on their shoulder. They believe they're better, and in many cases they prove it.

Pierce has always believed in his talent, but he didn't have the track record to back it up until the Celtics won the championship in 2008. In another of the unique circumstances of Paul Pierce, when he finally did win, he was partially overshadowed by the arrivals of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Garnett's defensive intensity was the face of that that team. Allen's shooting finished a lot of games. Pierce was just the guy who'd been there all along.

But one thing that was evident having covered those bad teams before the arrivals of Garnett and Allen -- and having covered the championship in 2008 -- is that Pierce never stopped being the team's leader. When the Celtics were bad, Pierce made himself accountable to the media before every game, answering questions as to when the team might -- if ever -- turn it around. When they became good, Pierce stepped out of the spotlight. He shared the podium with Garnett, and he focused less on his image in the media. But he never stepped down from his leadership role. He recognized that he needed to lead differently Instead of asking for the ball, he asked to guard Bryant in the second half of Game 5 of the 2008 Finals.

"Paul had a chance to leave us when we were bad," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "And instead of moaning that he wanted to go to a championship team, he stayed. And he said, 'I simply want to be a Celtic, and I trust that we’re going to win a title some day.' He had no reason to believe that, at that time."

Because it had never worked with Pierce, fans had no reason to believe that an assemblage of star players would bring a championship. But Pierce bought into the New Big Three so much that he put aside his ego and dropped his shot attempts from 18.1 to 13.7 per game. His scoring average dipped below 20 points for the first time since his sophomore NBA season. His field goal percentage of .464 was the second-highest of his career. The Celtics won the title, and Pierce -- the selfish superstar -- did everything that was asked of him. By doing so, he also deferred some of the credit.

"I wish people talked about his loyalty more," said Rivers. "I do think it’s special that Paul Pierce decided that he wanted to be a Celtic for his life. And I think that’s pretty cool. In this day and time, in any sport, I think that’s special.”

Special is probably a good word for Pierce. Unlike Bird and Russell and Havlicek, Pierce has rarely been considered the best. So far, history has worked against Pierce. In time, like a step-back jumper from the right elbow, history may be on his side.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Lakers are in town and that means Kobe Bryant holds court with the assorted Los Angeles and Boston media today at the TD Garden. Among the nuggets from the interview is that he said he had never formally met Celtics legend and current Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird.

Bird gave Bryant some gracious compliments this week, saying he would have loved to have Bryant as a teammate. Bryant has mutual admiration but said he has never had a chance to express it.

"That means the world to me because I looked up to him and his worth ethic," Bryant said today. "With him kind of being a staple of a blue collar player that's been blessed with a great deal of talent. His determination, his motivation. I remember some quotes that I heard from Tommy Heinsohn describing Larry Bird that were very moving to me when I was a kid and if I could be that way I feel I could be pretty good so I kind of followed his lead in that regard. To hear him have that kind of praise for me means a lot."

Although Bryant played against Bird-coached Pacers teams in the late 1990s and in the 2000 NBA Finals, there has never been a formal conversation. Bryant said the two have never talked.

"I never met him because I never see him," Bryant said. "During the All-Star Game in Cleveland (in 1997) our paths never crossed. It's crazy."

Bryant also said he fully plans to play in the 2012 Olympics in London and that the torn ligament in his wrist has healed. He said he is healthy.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

Paul Piece is now second all-time in Celtics history in points as his 3-pointer with 10:23 left in the third quarter gave him 21,792 points, 1 ahead of the great Larry Bird. Pierce pressed the entire night trying to reach the record, missing eight of his first 12 shots. He received a long standing ovation from the soldout crowd at TD Garden and waved a few times for a louder response.

Teammate Mickael Pietrus held up a towel that read "THE TRUTH," Pierce's nickname. John Havlicek is the team's all-time leader in scoring with 26,395 points.

Final score, Celtics, 94-84 : Paul Pierce moved into second place on the Celtics' all-time scoring list as the Celtics (14-10) won for the ninth time in 10 games.

Fourth quarter, 1:53, Celtics, 92-77 : Kevin Garnett departed with 3:39 remaining. But the rest of the starters remained in the game as the Celtics struggled to extend their advantage. But two dunks by Chris Wilcox and one by Brandon Bass basically clinched the result as the rest of the starters joined Garnett on the bench.

Fourth quarter, 5:44, Celtics, 82-68: Kevin Garnett's free throw extended the lead to 82-64 with 6:47 remaining. But Garnett and Mickael Pietrus misfired and the Bobcats' Kemba Walker and Derrick Brown pulled the Bobcats within 14.

Fourth quarter, 8:37, Celtics, 77-64: Paul Pierce was closing in on a possible triple-double (12 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) as he fed Avery Bradley for a layup and Kevin Garnett for a shot-clock buzzer jumper, the Celtics taking their largest lead of the contest.

End of third quarter, Celtics, 69-62: Ray Allen, who had two points at halftime, scored 13 points in the quarter.

Third quarter, 2:49, Celtics, 65-54: Ray Allen scored nine points as the Celtics went on a 13-6 run over a 4:44 span.

Third quarter, 5:14, Celtics, 59-50: Paul Pierce received a standing ovation during a timeout. The Celtics upped their lead to 59-48 on a Ray Allen 3-pointer 5:17 into the half. But Derrick Brown retaliated and Reggie Williams was going to the foul line after the timeout with a chance to reduce the Bobcats' deficit to seven points.

Third quarter, 10:29, Celtics, 48-40: Paul Pierce's 3-pointer moved him into second place on the all-time scoring list for the Celtics, surpassing Larry Bird (21,791 points), and trailing John Havlicek (26,395).

End of first half, Celtics, 45-38: Brandon Bass' free throws with 27 seconds remaining gave the Celtics their largest lead of the half.

Second quarter, 2:14, Celtics, 39-36: Brandon Bass scored in transition to give the Celtics a three-point lead. The Celtics forced the Bobcats into two airballs (by Tyrus Thomas) and a blocked shot on consecutive possessions.

Second quarter, 5:48, Tie, 35-35: Kevin Garnett missed a layup and the Bobcats' Byron Mullens scored in transition to give the Bobcats the lead. Paul Pierce then tied the score with a jumper.

End of first quarter, Celtics 27-22: Mickael Pietrus' 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds on the clock gave the Celtics their biggest lead of the game.

First quarter, 1:31, Celtics 20-18: Brandon Bass sank a jumper and was going for a three-point play as the teams returned from a timeout.

First quarter, 5:27, Celtics 12-10: Kevin Garnett scored eight points before being replaced 5:17 into the game.

By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff

Brandon Bass was set to return to action for the Celtics against Charlotte. Bass (knee) missed his first game of the season in the Celtics' 98-80 win over Memphis Sunday, their eighth victory in nine games.

Kevin Garnett is the only Celtic to have played in all 23 games.

BOSTON CELTICS (13-10)

PG Rajon Rondo
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O'Neal

INACTIVES: Keyon Dooling, Marquis Daniels

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (3-17)

PG Kemba Walker
SG Reggie Williams
SF Bismack Biyombo
PF Tyrus Thomas
C Boris Diaw

INACTIVES: D.J Augustine, Corey Maggette.

OFFICIALS: Tony Brown, Jason Phillips, Heywoode Workman.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

Greg Stiemsma is the lone Celtic on the roster with a non-guaranteed contract and his deal would be guaranteed if he remains on the roster by 6 p.m. today. According to an NBA source, Stiemsma, the rookie signed from the NBADL, is safe and will have his contract guaranteed. He confirmed that tonight before the Celtics game with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Stiemsma impressed the Celtics with his defense and shot-blocking abilities but has played sparingly of late because of the emergence of Chris Wilcox. Still, he remains an asset on the bench and has increased his market value with his production.

In 8.3 minutes per game, Stiemsma is averaging 1.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. In his lone NBA start on Jan. 2 against the Washington Wizards, Stiemsma scored 13 points with 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots. Since that game he has played just 88 minutes over the next 17 games.

Stiemsma said this morning that he had not heard word from his agent but he did participate in the team's shootaround in preparation for tonight's game with the Charlotte Bobcats.

"I try not to get caught up in the business side once we get the season rolling," he said.
"I think overall it's been a great opportunity. I started out hot and that's just the way the game goes, the way the season is going to go. It's going to be here and there. As long as I'm ready when I get the call."

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Celtics are getting healthier by the day and Keyon Dooling, who has missed most of the past month with a sore knee and hip pointer said he will attempt to return Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Dooling has missed 13 of the team's past 14 games and will not play tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats.

"When you have an area that's injured sudden movements (are difficult) but I'm feeling better," he said. "It's been frustrating. I've had two impact injuries. I can't control them, but what I can control is when I come back, how prepared I am. I haven't been able to do a lot of movement but I have been shooting."

Also, forward Brandon Bass did participate in shootaround and is expected to play tonight vs. the Charlotte Bobcats. Marquis Daniels did not participate and is expected to miss tonight's game with a sprained ankle.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

Paul Pierce was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week today, averaging 22 points, 6.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds in four games, a testament to his returning to form. The Celtics were 4-0 this week and have won eight of nine games. Pierce is 10 points from eclipsing Larry Bird for second on the Celtics' all-time scoring list.

Final, Celtics 98-80: One of the more impressive wins of the season, given the expected letdown after the Knicks win and athletic teams such as the Grizzlies give the Celtics trouble. Kevin Garnett led Boston with 24 points while Rajon Rondo added 5 points and 14 assists. Rudy Gay led Memphis with 21 points.

Fourth quarter, 2:43, Celtics 94-73: Celtics are pulling away without much resistance and all the starters are resting. Kevin Garnett tied his season high with 24 points while Paul Pierce added 21. Rajon Rondo has 14 assists while the Grizzlies are shooting just 36.7 percent.

Fourth quarter, 7:00, Celtics 83-70: A Mickael Pietrus 3-pointer sparked a 7-2 run as the Celtics are trying to close this one out. JaJuan Johnson has been a help off the bench with 10 points while Kevin Garnett has 18. Rudy Gay has 10 for Memphis

End of third quarter, Celtics 69-61: Rudy Gay went on a personal 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 6 before Kevin Garnett responded with a dunk. This game is still in the balance with Gay heating up. He leads all scorers with 18 points while Garnett has 16 points and Ray Allen 12 on 4-for-14 shooting. Chris Wilcox has 12 off the bench.

Third quarter, 2:42, Celtics 67-55: The Celtics are playing well to maintain their lead and their defense is forcing the Grizzlies into jump shots. The combination of Marreese Speights and Marc Gasol is 5-for-20 shooting while the Celtics are winning the rebounding battle 34-24.

Third quarter, 6:21, Celtics 56-45: After allowing the Grizzlies to come to within 5 points, the Celtics have used Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to gain control. Allen missed his first six shots but is now 3 for his past with two 3-pointers while Garnett just added his third 3-pointer in three games.

strong>Halftime, Celtics 43-35: A game of runs with the Celtics going on 10-2 and 8-2 runs before the Grizzlies tooka 5-point lead with a 16-3 run. The Celtics counter with a 16-3 run to end the quarter and regain the 8-point lead. Rajon Rondo has 5 points and 10 assists while Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett each have 9. O.J. Mayo, who kills the Celtics, has 8 off the bench while Marc Gasol has 7.

Second quarter, 1:08, Celtics 43-34: Boston is on a 16-2 run after the Grizzlies went up 5. Rajon Rondo already has 10 assists and cut down on the silly turnovers from earlier in the period. Ray Allen missed his first six shots but draining a jumper to beat the shot clock.

Second quarter, 6:32, Grizzlies 32-27: Memphis is on a 16-3 run after the Celtics committed five turnovers in the first five minutes of the quarter. They are now shooting 37.9 percent and are 1-for-5 shooting in the quarter.

Second quarter, 8:27, Celtics 26-24: Memphis is off to an 8-2 run to begin the quarter as the Celtics are committing silly turnovers, especially Rajon Rondo, who already has two in the quarter. Chris Wilcox has 10 points off the bench but the rest of the Celtics are 7-for-22 shooting with 16 points.

End of first quarter, Celtics 24-16: The Celtics are playing with more energy than the young Grizzlies, and that's a surprise. Memphis is shooting 33 percent, including a combined 3 of 10 for Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Chris Wilcox has 10 points and 4 rebounds off the bench while Rajon Rondo has 4 points and 4 assists.

First quarter, 2:09, Celtics 18-14: A 12-2 run spearheaded by Rajon Rondo and Chris Wilcox, who is replacing Brandon Bass, has given the Celtics an early lead. Rondo already has four assists while Wilcox has 8 points off the bench.

First quarter, 5:32, Grizzlies 12-10: Memphis is off to a strong start, using a 6-0 run to go up 10-4 but the Celtics have used the transition game to rally. Chris Wilcox and Rajon Rondo have contributed baskets to slice the lead to 2. Kevin Garnett has 4 points.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

OK folks, as you mentally prepare for the Big Game, the Celtics provide a little distraction with a noontime game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Celtics, as usual, will be shorthanded with Brandon Bass (sore right knee) out today. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said it is just a byproduct of soreness and not a particular injury. He said the knee needs to calm down.

Jermaine O'Neal had an MRI on his left knee, would not reveal the results to reporters but said he's playing. So the results must not be that damaging.

Memphis has won the past two times at TD Garden and after a slow start the Grizzlies have responded after losing Zach Randolph to a knee injury. He is expected back in March.

BOSTON CELTICS (12-10)

PG Rajon Rondo
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O'Neal

INACTIVES: Keyon Dooling, Marquis Daniels

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (12-11)

PG Mike Conley
SG Tony Allen
SF Rudy Gay
PF Marreese Speights
C Marc Gasol

INACTIVES: Darrell Arthur (season-ending ACL injury), Zach Randolph (knee, should return in March)

OFFICIALS: Ken Mauer, Mark Lindsay, SirAllen Conner

Celtics' center Jermaine O'Neal missed practice Saturday to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging on his right knee.

According to coach Doc Rivers, the MRI had been scheduled before the Celtics' 91-89 win over New York Friday. Rivers said O'Neal will likely be available for Sunday's game against Memphis.

Final score, Celtics 91-89: The Celtics forced two airballs in the final seconds, the last by Steve Novak.

Fourth quarter, 0:4.2, Celtics 91-89: Landry Fields shot an airball out of a timeout and Paul Pierce upped the Celtics' lead with a free throw with 5.2 seconds on the clock, missing the second as the Knicks called timeout.

Fourth quarter, 0:14.4, Celtics 90-89: Paul Pierce's 3-pointer was reviewed, lead official Monty McCutchon ruling the shot was after the shot-clock buzzer.

Fourth quarter, 1:26, Celtics 90-89: Tyson Chandler dunked off a lob out of a timeout and Landry Fields scored off a steal.

Fourth quarter, 1:57, Celtics 90-85: Ray Allen scored nine points in a 3:28 span.

Fourth quarter, 4:24, Celtics 82-79: Ray Allen's 3-pointer gave the Celtics their first lead since the first quarter. Rajon Rondo set up the play by knocking a rebound away from Landry Fields, the Knicks protesting the out of bounds call, coach Mike D'Antoni receiving a technical foul.

Fourth quarter, 5:49, Tied 79-all: Paul Pierce missed a 3-pointer off a jumpball with a chance to give the Celtics the lead. But the Celtics regained possession after a shot-clock violation following a Carmelo Anthony airball.

Fourth quarter, 8:24, Knicks 76-73: Paul Pierce's free throw pulled the Celtics within three points of the lead. Brandon Bass was going to the line after a timeout, having drawn the Knicks' fourth team foul of the quarter. But Bass was assessed a technical foul after bumping Amar'e Stoudemire.

End of third quarter, Knicks 72-69: Chris Wilcox followed Paul Pierce's airball at the buzzer as the Celtics closed the quarter with an 11-3 run over a 5:09 span. Wilcox also converted two foul shots on a four-chance possession with 37 seconds remaining.

Third quarter, 2:49, Knicks 69-60: Carmelo Anthony carried the Knicks' offense for most of the quarter, drawing fourth personal fouls from Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus. Rajon Rondo found his shooting touch with two drives and a jumper in the opening 7:39 of the half.

Third quarter, 7:53, Knicks 65-55: The Celtics cut the deficit to four points, but then surrendered a second-chance dunk to Tyson Chandler, a jumper to Amar'e Stoudemire, and a Chandler jumper with :03 on the shot clock. Ray Allen departed after committing his fourth personal foul 2:50 into the half.

End of first half, Knicks 55-49: Rajon Rondo hit a free throw with 0.2 on the clock, his first point since sustaining a right wrist sprain in a Jan. 18 game. Paul Pierce and Mickael Pietrus got the Celtic offense in gear with three 3-pointers (two by Pierce) in the final 90 seconds of the half.

Second quarter, 2:53, Knicks 45-37: Paul Pierce got a mismatch against Tyson Chandler for a 3-pointer with 4:30 left in the half. But that would be one of only three Celtic field goals in the opening 9:07 of the quarter.

Second quarter, 5:48, Knicks 38-32: The Celtics struggled offensively at the start of the quarter, converting only twice from the field in the opening 6:12.

Second quarter, 8:43, Knicks 33-29: The Celtics went to an Avery Bradley-Rajon Rondo backcourt, forcing a shot-clock violation following a 50-plus second Knick possession.

End of first quarter, Knicks 28-27: Travis Lin restored the Knicks' lead with two free throws with 0.1 on the clock. Kevin Garnett scored 11 points, including a 3-pointer for a 25-24 Celtic lead with 29 seconds remaining.

First quarter, 2:38, Knicks 22-18: Carmelo Anthony had eight points in the opening 7:27.

By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff

Rajon Rondo returns after missing eight games with a sprained right wrist. The Celtics went 6-2 without Rondo, who was injured in a game against Toronto Jan. 18,

STARTING LINEUPS

BOSTON CELTICS (11-10)

PG Rajon Rondo
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O'Neal

INACTIVES: Marquis Daniels, Keyon Dooling.

NEW YORK KNICKS (8-14)

PG Iman Shumpert
SG Landry Fields
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Tyson Chandler
C Amar'e Stoudemire

INACTIVES: Baron Davis, Josh Harrellson.

OFFICIALS: Monty McCutchen, Curtis Blair, Eric Dalen.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

After a pre-game workout and a positive session this morning at shootaround, Rajon Rondo was cleared to return to the lineup tonight after missing eight games with a sprained right wrist. Rondo will be in the starting lineup against the New York Knicks, giving the Celtics an extra boost in an important game.

The Celtics went 6-2 in Rondo's absence but Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the team was hurt in fourth quarters because he had to simplify the offense for Avery Bradley and E'Twaun Moore.

Rondo was a game-time decision but he worked out with strength and conditioning coach Brian Doo and assistant coach Armond Hill and received clearance.

"He hasn't had a lot of practice, like zero," Rivers said. "Your eyes will tell you and hopefully we'll make the right choice. He's healthy, it's just timing. He's got to get his timing back with the guys."

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

Rajon Rondo was working in a drill with the first team today at the Celtics' shootaround in Waltham, dribbling the ball with his sprained right wrist. He is listed as a game-time decision for tonight's game with the New York Knicks. He hasn't played since Jan. 18 after injuring the wrist falling to the floor after a collision with Toronto's Linas Kleiza.

Rondo has missed the past eight games and the Celtics are 6-2 in those games with Avery Bradley starting at point guard. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the offense is limited in the fourth quarter without Rondo because he has to simplify the sets.

Final, Celtics 100-64: The Celtics get a rare easy victory and led from start to finish in a pasting of the Raptors. And finally they are over .500 for the first time since being 4-3 about a month ago. Paul Pierce led Boston with 17 points but every active player besides Chris Wilcox scored for Boston.

Fourth quarter, 8:36, Celtics 80-53: The Celtics were able to get some starters some valuable rest. Kevin Garnett has played 17 minutes and Jermaine O'Neal 13. Paul Pierce's night appears done at 26 minutes. He leads the Celtics with 17 points.

Third quarter, 2:10, Celtics 77-49: The rout is obviously on as the starters since some much-needed rest and are pouring it on the Raptors. The Celtics are 10 for 15 from the 3-point line. Their season high is 12 made on Dec. 27 against Miami. Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with 17 points. Jerryd Bayless has 14 for Toronto.

Third quarter, 5:50, Celtics 66-45: All the Celtics have to do is maintain the lead and the starters can get an early night off. Toronto is trying to make runs but the Celtics continue to shoot well. Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with 12 points while Ray Allen has 9 points and five assists. Jerryd Bayless has 14 points for Toronto.

Halftime, Celtics 57-35: The Celtics hardly look like they played last night, finishing a flawless first half with a 3-pointer from Kevin Garnett at the buzzer for a 22-point lead. The Celtics shot 62.2 percent in the first half and eight players scored, including Brandon Bass with 10 and E'Twaun Moore with 8. Jerryd Bayless has 11 for Toronto, which is shooting 38.9 percent with nine turnovers.

Second quarter, 3:00, Celtics 48-28: The Celtics are spreading the offensive wealth with eight players having already scored, including 9 points from Ray Allen and 8 each from Brandon Bass and E'Twaun Moore. The Raptors are usually a tough road opponent but they have not played well in Boston this season. They have 8 turnovers.

Second quarter, 7:37, Celtics 34-23: Jerryd Bayless is keeping the Raptors close by himself with 9 points in seven minutes. But E'Twaun Moore has responded with 7 points while Brandon Bass has 8. All the while, the starters are getting plenty of rest. Kevin Garnett has played just six minutes.

End of first quarter, Celtics 29-16: A strong quarter for the Celtics but they have to keep the pressure on because they have been suceptible to losing big leads of late. Brandon Bass has 8 points in the quarter and Paul Pierce with 7. Jerryd Bayless scored 7 points in four minutes for Toronto.

First quarter, 2:45, Celtics 20-9: Hot shooting and some good defense has the Celtics up early, trying to make this an easy night and look forward to a day off. Brandon Bass has been money as usual offensively with 6 points while Paul Pierce already has 4 points, 3 assists and 3 rebounds.

First quarter, 5:35, Celtics 14-9: The Celtics have started hitting six of their first 11 shots and have gotten 4 points each from Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. The Rapotrs have 4 from Aaron Gray, a late-minute replacement at center.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Celtics will try for the second time to reach over .500 after wasting a chance Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors are going to be without former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnanu, who is out with a calf injury and forward Linas Kleiza, who is out with a sore knee.

Rajon Rondo will miss his eighth consecutive game with a sprained right wrist while Keyon Dooling is also out with a hip pointer. Jermaine O'Neal will start tonight.

STARTING LINEUPS

BOSTON CELTICS (10-10)

PG Avery Bradley
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O'Neal

INACTIVES: Keyon Dooling, Rajon Rondo

TORONTO RAPTORS (7-15)

PG Jose Calderon
SG DeMar DeRozan
SF James Johnson
PF Ed Davis
C Aaron Gray

INACTIVES: Andrea Bargnani, Linas Kleiza

OFFICIALS: James Capers, David Jones, Courtney Kirkland

Officials: Joey Crawford, Bennie Adams, Karl Lame

Final, Celtics 93-90: Kevin Garnett hits a big shot with 1:04 left for a 4-point lead and the Celtics hang on to seal a surprisingly thrilling win. Kyrie Irving was sparkling in the fourth quarter with 13 of his 21 points. Anderson Varejao finished with 20 points and 20 rebounds.

Fourth quarter, 1:18, Celtics 89-87: The Celtics have found themselves in another war with the Cavaliers, getting outscored 29-13 in the quarter and having nothing left to defend Kryie Irving, who is making all the plays.

Fourth quarter, 5:49, Celtics 80-73: The Cavaliers are on a 15-4 run to begin the quarter and the Celtics again can't find the basket. They are 2-for-9 shooting in the period with two turnovers. They are going to need some late-game heroics to seal this one.

Fourth quarter, 8:25, Celtics 76-64: Boston is 0-for-6 shooting to begin the quarter and the Cavaliers have responded with a 6-0 run to make it interesting. The Celtics are missing some easy shots while they are allowing Cleveland to dominate the boards. Anderson Varejao has 20 points and 18 rebounds for the Cavaliers while Kyrie Irving has 10 points and six assists.

End of third quarter, Celtics 76-58: The Celtics are trying to apply the finishing blows to the Cavaliers but remember, they led by 11 with six minutes left and blew that lead, so expect Doc Rivers to play his starters heavy minutes despite tomorrow's home game against Toronto. Ray Allen scored 12 points in the third period for Boston.

Third quarter, 2:59, Celtics 72-53: Celtics are making sure they hold on to this lead, using a standout night from Jermaine O'Neal (12 points) and a 9-point period from Ray Allen to lead by double digits. Anderson Varejao has 18 points and 15 rebounds for Cleveland.

Third quarter, 8:14, Celtics 63-44: The Celtics appear like they are on a mission to put the Cavavliers away early, starting the half on a 12-5 run. Ray Allen has 6 points in the surge after going scoreless in the first half. Paul Pierce has 11 points and Jermaine O'Neal has 10 in his first game back in a week. Anderson Varejao has 14 for Cleveland.

Halftime, Celtics 51-39: A solid defense effort from the Celtics in the second quarter, holding the Cavaliers to 5-for-17 shooting and just 15 points as they continue to shoot well from the perimeter. Eight Celtics have scored and the bench already has 23 points, including 8 from Brandon Bass. Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with 9 while Ray Allen has gone scoreless but has five assists.

Second quarter, 5:10, Celtics 37-33: Cavaliers on a 7-0 run as Anderson Varejao continues to burn the Celtics with his activity. He has 14 points and 5 rebounds while the rest of the Cavs are 5-for-16 shooting with 19 points. Kyrie Irving has 6 points and has already attempted four free throws, as many as the entire Celtics team.

Second quarter, 7:49, Celtics 37-26: The defense is beginning to step up, forcing Samardo Samuels and Anderson Varejao into playmakers, which are not their roles. E'Twaun Moore has drained a 3-pointer and is playing solid defense against Kyrie Irving. The bench has already scored 19 points.

End of first quarter, Celtics 28-24: Both teams are shooting over 56 percent from the field but the Celtics have to find a way to prevent Cleveland but getting easy layups. They have 10 points in the paint, and Anderson Varejao has dominated his matchup with Jermaine O'Neal, scoring 10. Paul Pierce leads Boston with 9.

First quarter, 1:51, Celtics 25-20: The Celtics are shooting 61.1 percent from the field and Mickael Pietrus has come off the bench for two quick 3-pointers while Paul Pierce has 8 points. The Cavaliers are 9-for-15 shooting but Kyrie Irving has yet to score in 10 minutes.

First quarter, 4:30, Celtics 17-15: This looks to be a higher scoring game than Sunday's matchup but the Celtics still have no answer for Anderson Varejao, who already has 8 points and 4 rebounds in seven minutes. Paul Pierce has 8 points for the Celtics.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Celtics will try to exact some revenge of the Cavaliers after Sunday's 88-87 loss in which Cleveland scored the final 12 points of the game. The Celtics are slowly getting healthier with Jermaine O'Neal back in the starting lineup but Rajon Rondo and Keyon Dooling are out.

Rondo may return tomorrow against Toronto or more than likely Friday against the New York Knicks. Dooling could be out for several more games with a hip pointer.

For Cleveland, Anthony Parker and Daniel Gibson are out.

STARTING LINEUPS

BOSTON CELTICS (9-10)

PG Avery Bradley
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O'Neal

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (8-11)

PG Kyrie Irving
SG Mychel Thompson
SF Omri Casspi
PF Antawn Jamison
C Anderson Varejao

Officials: Joey Crawford, Bennie Adams, Karl Lane

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

CLEVELAND -- Paul Pierce expressed disappointment and anger that he was held out of Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers until 3 minutes left in the game. Doc Rivers said he will let Pierce's words dissolve with that game.

"We were up 11, 12 and he had probably still played 33, 34 minutes," Rivers said. "If Paul was 25, he would have been in. But he knows what I'm going to do and he likes it most of the time but when you lose no one likes it. So I don't think it's a big deal."

Rivers said he doesn't feel the need to talk with Pierce.

"It's not something I need to have a conversation about," he said. "I'll let you guys (the media) do all that. I'm sure you will."

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

CLEVELAND -- Celitcs guard Rajon Rondo will miss his seventh consecutive game tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers and is also likely out tomorrow against the Toronto Raptors, according to coach Doc Rivers.

Rivers said Rondo is likely to return Friday against the New York Knicks. Avery Bradley will start tonight against Cleveland's rookie of the year candidate Kyrie Irving.

Jermaine O'Neal said he going to play tonight after missing three games with a bruised left knee. O'Neal said the knee continues to cause discomfort but it is flexible enough to play.

Final, Cavaliers 88-87: Paul Pierce misses a shot that may have been after the buzzer but this one will stick with the Celtics for a long time. They were held scoreless for the final 4:25 and plays like the Ray Allen missed layup and the Kevin Garnett travel after an offensive rebound proved costly. A bad loss.

Fourth quarter, 2.6, Cavaliers 88-87: Kyrie Irving makes a spinning layup with 2.6 seconds left to give Cavs the lead. Celtics haven't scored since the 4:25 mark.

Fourth quarter, 22.2, Celtics 87-86: Ray Allen misses a 3-pointer and Kevin Garnett travels after getting the rebound. Cavs miss the shot get the rebound and call timeout.

Fourth quarter, 1:38, Celtics 87-84: The Cavaliers are on an 8-0 run and Anderson Varejao just cut it to three with a layup after Ray Allen missed an uncontested layup that may have put the game away. Celtics ball.

Fourth quarter, 3:42, Celtics 87-80: The Celtics are trying to hold off the Cavaliers and have used Ray Allen and Brandon Bass to do it. Byron Scott helped the cause by holding Kyrie Irving and Antawn Jamison out for a key stretch of the fourth quarter. Irving has 21 points in 30 minutes.

Fourth quarter, 8:33, Celtics 74-71: The Cavaliers keep hanging around and have made a run with Paul Pierce and Ray Allen out of the game. Mychel Thompson scored the first four points of his NBA career on consecutive jumpers.

End of third quarter, Celtics 70-62: A 9-0 run created some distance but the Celtics scored just 1 points in the final 2:12 of the quarter so this game is still very much up for grabs. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each have 18 points from Kyrie Irving looks like a franchise point guard with 15 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds.

Third quarter, 2:32, Celtics 67-57: The Celtics are on a 9-0 run fueled by Ray Allen and Avery Bradley. Bradley just went to the locker room favoring his right ankle after a spill attempting a layup. He has 6 points and 2 assists. Paul Pierce has 15 points for the Celtics.

Third quarter, 5:03, Celtics 63-57: The Celtics are trying to create a little space between them and the Cavaliers as Ray Allen has made a sparkling return with 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Kevin Garnett has 14 for Boston while Paul Pierce has 13 but six turnovers. Anderson Varejao has 14 points and Kyrie Irving 13 for Cleveland.

Halftime, Cavaliers 44-43: Cleveland has come to play and is pounding the Celtics in the paint with a stunning 32 of its points. Anderson Varejao has been the main beneficiary with 12 points while Kyrie Irving has 9 and Omri Casspi with 7. Ray Allen leds the Celtics with 12 points and Paul Pierce has 11 with six turnovers. Kevin Garnett has 8 points.

Second quarter, 2:29, Tied at 37: The Celtics have already committed 10 turnovers, a whopping six of those by Paul Pierce and they continue to let Cleveland hang around. The Cavaliers have points from seven players, including Omri Casspi with 7 points and Kyrie Irving with 6.

Second quarter, 7:01, Celtics 33-31: These aren't last year's Cavaliers. They are improved and are using various players to push the Celtics. Ramon Sessions has 5 points off the bench while Omri Casspi also have 5. Ray Allen has returned from injury in stellar fashion, scoring 10 points with three rebounds in 10 minutes.

End of first quarter, Celtics 24-23: The Celtics made a defensive adjustment and held Cleveland to 4 points in the final 4:15 of the first quarter. The Celtics have been led by Paul Pierce with 7 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists while Ray Allen added 5 points in eight minutes. Anderson Varejao has 8 for Cleveland.

First quarter, 4:17, Cavaliers 19-15: A fast-paced game where defense is optional so far. The Cavaliers are shooting 60 percent (9 for 15) and Celtics nemesis Anderson Varejao already has 6 points and 3 rebounds. Ray Allen has 5 points in his return from a three-game injury absence.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Celtics' health news is a little better as Ray Allen will return to the lineup after missing three games with a jammed left ankle. Allen said he wasn't feeling pain in the ankle anymore and it was more weakness, meaning it was time to give it a go.

*Rajon Rondo is out but may return to the lineup Tuesday against Cleveland. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he is getting close, but he won't play tonight.

*Keyon Dooling said his pain is more in the oblique area and it's hard to sleep. He likely won't be back soon.

*Jermaine O'Neal is a game-time decision with a bruised left knee.

*For Cleveland, Daniel Gibson is out with a stiff neck.

STARTING LINEUPS

BOSTON CELTICS (9-9)

PG Avery Bradley
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Brandon Bass
C Kevin Garnett

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

PG Kyrie Irving
SG Anthony Parker
SF Antawn Jamison
PF Omri Casspi
C Anderson Varejao

Officials: Mark Davis, Scott Wall, Eric Lewis

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

As team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has maintained for years, he is always looking to improve the roster and the Celtics are keeping its eyes open when it comes to New Orleans center Chris Kaman, who is being offered for trade by Hornets general manager Dell Demps.

According to an NBA source, the Celtics would be interested in Kaman if the impending free agent is bought out of his contract. The Hornets have told Kaman, 29, to stay home while they try to orchestrate a trade. They acquired Kaman in the trade for Chris Paul last month but have decided to go with younger players.

Kaman has averaged 9.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in 22 minutes per game before the Hornets decided to put him on the block. The Celtics only have the veteran's minimum to offer so Kaman would have to agree to a buyout for the portion of the $14 million he is owed this season and then he would have to agree to a deal for the prorated minimum.

The Hornets want a return for Kaman, so it's unlikely he will be bought out unless Demps can't find an adequate deal. The Celtics only have draft picks to offer unless they wanted to part with $14 million in salaries, which is highly unlikely.

Final: Celtics 94, Pacers 87

The Boston Celtics finally reached the .500 mark for the first time this season, evening their record at 9-9, after scoring a 94-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers tonight before a sellout crowd at TD Garden.

"I was telling the guys we're finally at sea level, now we've got to keep our heads above water,'' said Paul Pierce, who led the Celtics to their fourth consecutive win after scoring a game-high 28 points on 10-for-23 shooting, including 4 of 7 from the 3-point arc.

Pierce, who had 17 third-quarter points to help the Celtics expand a 42-34 halftime lead to 71-61 by the end of the third, also had 10 rebounds to go along with 8 assists.

"It's a huge win, especially after the back-to-back,'' Pierce said, referring to Boston's come-from-behind 91-83 road win in Orlando Thursday night, in which the Celtics rallied from a 27-point deficit. "Most of us got in at 3-4 o'clock this morning, we didn't have our normal shootaround to go over the game plan, so we just watched film [in the locker room], so it was just one of those games where, mentally, you're drained after the emotional win [Thursday] night and I'm proud of the way we stepped up and really got the job done.

"The win [Thursday] night probably wouldn't have meant as much if we didn't get it tonight.''

The Celtics also go double-digit contributions from starters Mickael Pietrus (13), Brandon Bass (12) and Kevin Garnett (13). Chris Wilcox scored a season-high 14 points off the bench, as the Celtics reserves outscored Indiana's, 24-17.

"It seems like every night we're getting different contributions from our bench,'' Pierce said. "One night, you have Chris, another night you have Sasha [Pavlovic], you have Marquis and, of course, E'Twaun [Thursday night]. So that's what we're going to need, especially with the injuries that we've had of late. It's going to have to come from a combination of guys to come in there, fill that role, and step up for us, and they've been great at it.''

The Pacers, who dealt the Celtics a humiliating 87-74 loss in their last visit to Boston Jan. 6, got a team-high 21 points from Danny Granger. Paul George had 16 while David West chipped in 14 points.

Fourth quarter

Celtics 88, Pacers 80, 2:56 -- After the Pacers closed to within 81-75, Mickael Pietrus drained a trey to spark a 7-2 spurt that enabled the Celtics to gain some breathing room, 88-78. But Paul George threw down a breakway dunk to cut it to eight with less than three minutes remaining.

Celtics 81, Pacers 73, 6:48 --

Celtics 81, Pacers 65, 8:38 -- The Celtics opened up a 16-point lead on Marquis Daniels' breakaway dunk. The C's bench has now outscored the Pacers' bench, 24-15, with Wilcox leading the way with a season-high 14 points.

Third quarter

Celtics 71, Pacers 61, end of third -- The Celtics took a 10-point lead into the fourth after getting a lights-out effort from Paul Pierce in the third quarter. Pierce scored 17 points in the period to lead the way.

Celtics 69, Pacers 59, 1:23 -- Celtics in complete control of the game, thanks to Pierce, who now has 24 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists.

Celtics 62, Pacers 50, 5:21 -- Pierce took the game over, scoring 10 points in a 14-2 run that enabled the Celtics to open up a 12-point lead, 60-48, on Pierce's 3-pointer with 5:53 to go. David West followed with a jumper, but Chris Wilcox, in the game for Bass after he picked up his fourth personal, went to the line for a pair of foul shots to make it a 12-point game.

Celtics 55, Pacers 46, 9:55 -- After Granger hit a pair of foul shots and a converted a Paul Pierce turnover into a breakaway layup that tied it, 46-46, the Celtics reeled off nine unanswered points to take a 9-point lead. Pierce sparked the run with a 3-point burial for a 49-46 lead with 8:25 to go, then fed Avery Bradley on a nice baseline cut to make it 51-46, and then drove the lane for a basket to make it 53-46. Kevin Garnett then converted on a heavily-contested turnaround lane jumper to make it 55-46, prompting the Pacers to call a timeout.

Celtics 44, Pacers 42, 9:55 -- The Pacers opened the second half by outscoring the Celtics, 8-2, to pull within two points. Danny Granger came out on fire, scoring the first two baskets of the half for the Pacers. Tyler Hansbrough answered a Brandon Bass follow dunk with a pair of foul shots (courtesy of Bass' third personal) and David West came back with a jumper to cut the Celtics lead to 2.

Halftime: Celtics 42, Pacers 34

Mickael Pietrus drained a 3-pointer, flashing the Pacers' bench with a double-fisted three-point hand gesture as he raced back downcourt, to give the Celtics a 42-32 lead with 8.5 seconds to go. But the Celtics got their comeuppance when David West drained a buzzer-beating jumper to pull the Pacers within 8 at intermission.

Chris Wilcox led the way for the Celtics with 10 points and 6 rebounds in the first while Danny Granger led the Pacers with 9 first-half points.

Second quarter

Celtics 37, Pacers 30, 2:12 -- Chris Wilcox is having a night for himself. He has scored 10 points to go with 6 rebounds, both season highs. But the Pacers did not go away. They got free throws from Granger and Amundson to cut it to 7. Hibbert was reported to have suffered a sprained ankle.

Celtics 34, Pacers 24, 4:48 -- A driving layup by Brandon Bass is followed by a Paul Pierce offensive putback to give the C's a 10-point lead, 34-24 with 4:55 left. The play proved costly for the Pacers when Roy Hibbert went down in a heap, clutching his right ankle. Not a good turn of events for the visitors who have struggled on the offensive glass, getting shut out in the first quarter.

Celtics 30, Pacers 24, 6:22 -- Pacers scored five in a row on Dahntay Jones' 3-point play and Paul George's fadeaway jumper. Doc Rivers called a timeout to give the Celtics a chance to regroup.

Celtics 30, Pacers 19, 10:49 -- Brandon Bass buries another long baseline jumper to give the C's an 11-point lead, their largest of the game so far.

Celtics 27, Pacers 17, 10:49 -- After Chris Wilcox throws down a resounding dunk to make it 25-17, Marquis Daniels converts on a turnaround jumper to give the Celtics a 10-point edge.

First quarter

Celtics 23, Pacers 17, end of first quarter -- Chris Wilcox led the C's with 6 points in the first-quarter, hitting a turnaround jumper in the lane with 35.8 seconds remaining in the period to give Boston a 6-point lead. Brandon Bass and Mickael Pietrus each chipped in 4 points as the Celtics converted 11 of 25 field goal attempts in the first quarter.

Celtics 19, Pacers 17, 2:11 -- The Celtics went on an 8-6 run to control a 2-point lead on Brandon Bass' baseline jumper, prompting the Pacers to signal for a timeout. The Celtics are six points away from matching their total first-half output in their last homecourt matchup against the Pacers Jan. 6, when they managed to score only 25 points.

Pacers 11, Celtics 8, 5:50 -- After a timeout, Paul Pierce ties it with a 3-pointer.

Pacers 11, Celtics 8, 5:50 -- After Kevin Garnett scored the first basket of the game, Pacers reeled off seven unanswered points before the Celtics came back and twice pulled within 1 (7-6 and 9-8), the latter on an Avery Bradley reverse layup with 6:59 to go. David West, however, answered with an open jump shot from the left wing to give the Pacers a 3-point lead.

Pregame

Welcome to TD Garden, where the Celtics, fresh off their 91-83 come-from-behind road win in Orlando Thursday night, will host the Indiana Pacers without starters Ray Allen (ankle), Rajon Rondo (wrist) and Jermaine O'Neal (left knee). The Celtics will be looking to avenge a hideous 87-74 homecourt loss to the Pacers Jan. 6.

Final: Celtics 91, Magic 83: Thats the ballgame.

Fourth quarter, 25.4, Celtics 89-83: The Celtics are going to pull off an improbable, perhaps season-changing win, rallying back from a 27-point deficit for their second straight win over Orlando. Paul Pierce has 24 points, 19 in the second half.

Fourth quarter, 5:56, Celtics 79-78: Celtics have wasted three chances to go up 5 and Dwight Howard makes them pay with a layup. Doc Rivers sees his team is tired and calls timeout. Celtics are 10 of 18 from the 3-point line.

Fourth quarter, 7:32, Celtics 79-76: A stirring 13-0 run has the Celtics up for the first time since early in the first quarter and they trailed 52-25 at the midway point of the second quarter. E'Twaun Moore is having his biggest game as a Celtic with 12 points off the bench, all 3-pointers.

Fourth quarter, 9:30, Magic 76-74: Celtics have all the confidence now and Paul Pierce is heading up. He has 7 straight points and the fans in Orlando are anxious. The Celtics defense is back to controlling the game as they did in the first matchup Monday.

End of third quarter, Magic 75-64: Celtics have never stopped playing hard and ended the quarter on a 17-7 run to make it interesting. Paul Pierce scored 9 points in the quarter while E'Twaun Moore hit a key 3-pointer as the Celtics are making up for their first half miseries.

Third quarter, 5:12, Magic 68-47: Orlando counters with an 8-2 run but not before Paul Pierce missed an open 3-pointer that could have cut the deficit to 12. Dwight Howard has 8 points for Orlando while Pierce has 11 on 3-for-11 shooting.

Third quarter, 8:39, Magic 60-45: Celtics have scored 8 of the first 10 points of the half, 6 of those by Paul Pierce and suddenly the game isn't a joke anymore. But they need more defensive stops and some 3-pointers to make it interesting. Dwight Howard is being stymied by Kevin Garnett, by the way.

Halftime, Magic 58-37: Celtics with a mini 12-6 run to end the half to make it somewhat respectable but this is a disaster so far. The Magic is getting every break, every bounce and every call seemingly and the Celtics just look lost without Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen. Scoring has been an issue but so has fouling. The Celtics committed too many silly fouls in the first half and would need a nice run to begin the third quarter to have any shot.

Second quarter, 2:47, Magic 52-27: Yeah the score is right. Orlando is on a 50-19 run and has turned this into a nationally televised embarrassment. The Celtics can't score consistently and have made nine field goals. Orlando has 21 field goals are getting every break. And Dwight Howard has 4 points.

Second quarter, 5:54, Magic 43-23: The Celtics are clinging to any kind of hope of staying in the game but they can't score consistently and Paul Pierce has 1 point in 15 minutes. The Celtics offense was already struggling without Ray Allen but Kevin Garnett is the only one who is looking to score at this point. Brandon Bass is on the bench with three fouls and Greg Stiemsma already has four.

Second quarter, 8:47, Magic 36-20: The Celtics are just trying to stem the tide and cut into Orlando's large lead. So far they are playing better defense but still only have eight field goals and attempted two free throws. Paul Pierce has yet to score.

End of fIrst quarter, Magic 32-16: Orlando ends the quarter on a 30-8 run and is in total control after a barrage of turnovers and and good fortune went the Magic's favor. After going scoreless in the first meeting Monday, Ryan Anderson scored 12 points in the period while Jason Richardson added 10. The Celtics committed seven turnovers and shot 38 percent. They need offense badly.

FIrst quarter, 4:58, Magic 15-10: A 12-2 run for Orlando and it has mostly scored in the paint, including 5 points from Glen Davis. Meanwhile, the Celtics are on another one of their scoring droughts with 2 points in the past three minutes.

FIrst quarter, 8:13, Celtics 8-2: Celtics playing with the same confidence as Monday and they have already drawn two fouls on Dwight Howard while Mickael Pietrus has two 3-pointers against his former team in place of the injured Ray Allen.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Celtics are as usual a banged up bunch, with three starters out for this rematch with the Magic. Rajon Rondo (right wrist), Jermaine O'Neal (bruised left knee) and Ray Allen (jammed left ankle) will not play.

Doc Rivers does welcome back Mickael Pietrus, Keyon Dooling and Chris Wilcox, so the Celtics will have added depth. The Magic are a healthy bench with revenge on their minds, so it should be an interesting game,

STARTING LINEUPS

BOSTON CELTICS (7-9)

PG Avery Bradley
SG Mickael Pietrus
SF Paul Pierce
PF Brandon Bass
C Kevin Garnett

ORLANDO MAGIC

PG Jameer Nelson
SG Jason Richardson
SF Hedo Turkoglu
PF Ryan Anderson
C Dwight Howard

Officials: Michael Smith, Nick Buchert, David Jones

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- Rajon Rondo (right wrist) will not play tonight vs. the Magic, and Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Avery Bradley will likely take his place in the starting lineup. Ray Allen (left ankle) did not make the trip, but Rivers said he could play tomorrow at home vs. Indiana.

Rivers said Rondo couldn't even make it through yesterday's practice without favoring the wrist, meaning he could miss a few more games.

"He can't play," Rivers said. "If he could play, he'd play. His hand just won't let him. It's not broken or anything. It's just extremely sore. He tried to shoot and do things yesterday and you could just see it's not way. There's no way he could have been effective."

Mickael Pietrus (shoulder) is expected to start in place of Allen tonight, and Keyon Dooling (right knee) and Chris WIlcox (left calf) are also expected to return for the Celtics. Jermaine O'Neal (left knee) is doubtful, though he could return tomorrow night against the Pacers as well.

If O'Neal can't go, Brandon Bass, Kevin Garnett, Greg Stiemsma, and Wilcox will share the duty of guarding Dwight Howard.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- The Celtics are slowly getting healthier, with three injured players joining practice today at Rollins College. But two key rotation players are out for tomorrow's game against the Orlando Magic and a third could be added to the list.

Rajon Rondo (right wrist), Chris Wilcox (left calf), and Keyon Dooling (right knee) returned to practice in preparation for tomorrow's game. But Ray Allen (jammed left ankle) and Mickael Pietrus (strained right shoulder) are out, according to coach Doc Rivers.

Also, center Jermaine O'Neal's left knee swelled after a knee-to-knee collision with Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu in Monday night's game. He did not practice today and is questionable for tomorrow.

Rivers said Allen's ankle injury is not serious and he could return Friday against the Pacers.

Pietrus said he injured his shoulder trying to get around a screen during the 100-94 win over the Wizards Sunday, and he said he would like to play tomorrow.

"That's my plan," he said. "I'm going to be OK."

Here's Globe reporter Gary Washburn's analysis of the Celtics' victory over the Magic last night at TD Garden.

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

The Celtics are a better team when they run their offense through Paul Pierce. That much has been evident in their last two games, both wins. It was evident tonight when the Celtics were able to execute offensively despite the absences of Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen.

After the game, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he was running his team's offense through Pierce and not backup point guard Avery Bradley.

"Offensively obviously we're not running much point-guard stuff," said Rivers. "We're basically running a lot of elbow, we're throwing it to the bigs and letting them make the decisions. And that's been good for us, too. And you know, playing through Paul, basically. So really on offense Paul is almost the point guard."

Pierce isn't exactly Rondo, but he's well-suited to run the team's offense. He's the only Celtics player who can create his own shot outside of Rondo, and the Celtics don't really want Rondo creating by himself unless it's at the rim. In the team's first three games without Pierce, the Celtics went 0-3. They scored fewer than 90 points in five straight games when Pierce was getting his fitness back. They've scored 96 and 100 points in two of their last four games, with a loss to the Suns and tonight's dominating 87-56 win mixed in.

"I'm just trying to make the right play, find the open shooters" said Pierce. "When Rondo's out there I don't have as much ball-handling responsibilities, but now I have more of that."

Pierce has led the Celtics in assists in four straight games, but more than that, he's drawing defensive attention now because teams know he can follow through on the threat. He made just 6 of 14 shots from the field tonight, but he got to the line six times and still led the Celtics in scoring with 19 points. That the Celtics won despite an off shooting night for Pierce is a great sign.

"We don't use anything for an excuse, because guys are hurt, because it's a back-to-back," said Pierce. "We expect to win this game."

The Celtics will be in contention to win more games if they get the Pierce of the last two games and not the Pierce of the first part of the season.

-- Celtics forward Glen Davis said he appreciated the video tribute the Celtics gave to him during the first quarter, but he did have one complaint.

"I looked really big, like really fat," said Davis. " I was like 'WOW!, chubby'. I look a little more leaner now. But it was good. It?s always good to see things like that, memories. I can never forget. The fans showed love and I appreciate that.?

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Paul Pierce has clearly made a difference in the Celtics offense, but tonight was all about the defense for the Celtics, who held the Magic to 56 points on 24.6 percent shooting. Pierce tried to play it off like he wasn't impressed with his team's effort, but given their performance so far this season, he quickly changed his tune.

"A lot of this isn't surprising to me," said Pierce. "I guess when you hold a team to 24 percent, that is kind of impressive. I'm going to say it started with Avery [Bradley], and we fed off of Jermaine [O'Neal] also. Once he got into the face of Dwight Howard, he just said we're not taking this. You're not going to just come down and put your elbows in my face. The team kind of got sparked off of that, fed off of those two guys. Fed off of Avery not allowing them to get into their offense, and off of Jermaine not allowing Howard to get to his spots. And that was huge for us."

The Celtics were already up by 15 points when O'Neal went at Howard, so Bradley's defensive effort was what catalyzed the team's performance.

"Avery Bradley set a great tone," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "We had trouble even getting the ball into the scoring area. They were denying every pass. We struggled getting it there."

Said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, "It's hard work, I mean, Avery was dying out there. But two weeks ago we couldn't have done this anyway, honestly, because of conditioning. We would never have lasted. So now it's a good sign we?re getting in better conditioning."

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Avery Bradley did his best Rajon Rondo imitation, and the Celtics put forth their best defensive effort of the year to pick up their first big win, 87-56, over the Orlando Magic at TD Garden tonight. Orlando's offensive output was historically low -- the Magic shot 24.6 percent from the field in the game, the second-lowest field percentage allowed by the Celtics in franchise history. Orlando's 16 field goals are the fewest in the shot-clock era.

The Celtics started a lineup of Bradley, Sasha Pavlovic, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jermaine O'Neal, and for the first quarter they looked the part of a depleted team. The Celtics made 8 of 22 shots in the first quarter and were saved by Pierce's 8 points. Garnett missed the only shot he took from the field.

But Bradley steadily led the team in the second, harassing Orlando's Jameer Nelson on defense and failing to turn the ball over once on offense as the Celtics found their groove. In the market for a second scorer, the Celtics found one in Brandon Bass, who had 11 points in the second quarter to supplement the scoring of Pierce. It finally clicked for the home team with a 12-4 run run to end the quarter as their offense began to match their defensive intensity. By halftime Orlando was shooting 29 percent from the field. The Celtics had six first-half blocks.

If the second quarter was surprising, the third was satisfying. The Celtics kept up the defense and cranked up the offense to outscore the Magic 23-10 in the third. By the end of the period Orlando had more turnovers (17) than field goals (13). It was -- by far -- the team's most complete effort of the year.

Pierce finished the game with 19 points, while Bass also had 19.

It's an important win for the Celtics because as they've seen in this lockout-shortened season, an injury means a player might miss 5 or 6 games instead of 3 or 4. In other words, they don't have time to wait for their injured players to get back. The C's should get Rondo and perhaps Keyon Dooling back Thursday night, when the Celtics and Magic meet again in Orlando in a nontraditional home-and-home.

Final: Celtics 87-56: Best effort of the year, hands down.

4:29 4th quarter, Celtics 77-51: JaJuan Johnson making his first appearance. Would like to see more of him.

6:28 4th quarter, Celtics 75-51: Both teams emptying their benches. OK maybe just the Magic, since the Celtics started theirs. Dwight looks done for the night.

8:07 4th quarter, Celtics 73-48: Jermaine O'Neal fouls out. Dance party music on. Fans looking ahead to Feb. 5.

END 3d quarter, Celtics 69-46: Orlando scores10 points in the third quarter, Celtics score 23. Tremendous defense by the Celtics here, by far their best effort of the season. Avery Bradley has been everywhere.

3:05 3d quarter, Celtics 60-41: The Magic have made 12 shots and have 16 turnovers. Brandon Bass and KG guarding Howard now with the Celtics' centers in foul trouble.

5:04 3d quarter, Celtics 56-41: Greg Stiemsma has four fouls in six minutes.

7:34 3d quarter, Celtics 54-39: Jermaine O'Neal gets into it with Dwight Howard and tries to go after Howard. Paul Pierce steps in and breaks it up. O'Neal didn't look like he was messing around. Double-technicals called. Not a good situation with O'Neal there.

8:44 3d quarter, Celtics 50-39: Turkoglu finally gets Orlando on the board in the second half. Ryan Anderson is 0 for 6.

Halftime, Celtics 46-36: Great end to the half by the Celtics, who are playing inspired defensive basketball. They finally strung together a few buckets to match their D before the break.

Pierce is going to need to lead the Celtics, and he's doing so with nine shots. He's also been to the line six times. The other scoring is coming from Brandon Bass, who has matched Pierce's 13. That seems about right, as Kevin Garnett has shown this season that big scoring nights probably won't be his thing.

Avery Bradley is playing very, very well in 17 minutes. He's been everywhere.

0:32 2d quarter, Celtics 43-33: A 9-0 run by the Celtics is capped by a 3-pointer from Pierce, who has 13 points.

2:44 2d quarter, Celtics 34-33: Brandon Bass is up to 10 points on 4 for 7 shooting. The man can score.

4:32 2d quarter, Celtics 32-29: This is a glorified men's league game. The Magic are just 3 for 13 in the quarter. On the other end, Marquis Daniels cannot for the life of him finish around the rim.

6:42 2d quarter, Celtics 30-29: The Glen Davis-Brandon Bass watch: 6 points and 4 rebounds for Bass, 6 and 4 for Davis.

9:55 2d quarter, Celtics 26-23: E'Twaun Moore doing good work in five minutes of play, forcing a Magic turnover. Rookie just needs to get some good minutes in.

END 1st quarter, Celtics 22-20: Good showing by the Celtics, who are led by Paul Pierce with 8 points. Dwight Howard has 12.

The NBA wouldn't be the NBA without Pierce owning Quentin Richardson. Pierce beat Q to the cup with a nifty move that left his former nemesis stuck in the mud in the paint.

2:21 1st quarter, Magic 16-15: The Celtics are somehow in this game despite having only 10 players and despite shooting 32 percent.

4:53 1st quarter, Tied at 10: Jermaine O'Neal takes a charge, something he's done well this season.

6:44 1st quarter, Magic 8-6: Here's the Glen Davis tribute video. Good ovation for Baby after an initial mixed reaction. I'd say that's just about right.

8:33 1st quarter, Tied at 6: Kind of fun to watch a lineup without Rondo and Ray Allen try to score points. Maybe Pierce can go for 60.

Pregame: Let's try something new: Celtics as plucky underdogs.

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Former Celtics forward Glen Davis is in the building tonight to play against his former team. Davis can charitably be described as enigmatic during his time in Boston, helping lead the Celtics to the championship in 2008 before off-court issues and questions about effort hastened his departure to the Magic.

Davis hesitated and gave a long pause when asked if he wanted to be a Celtic again during the offseason.

"Um, yeah," said Davis. "You start your career somewhere and you don't want to leave. It's a business. Some things don't work out the way you want to, and you find a new home."

Davis said he wasn't sure how he'd feel coming back into this building, and he didn't know what his emotions would be during tonight's game.

"I heard they gave Perk like a little tribute," said Davis. "If they do that, I don't know. I might not be able to hold myself. But it's good. I think my emotions will be OK> I'm playing a basketball game. Hopefully I won't let the other family feelings get in the mix."

Davis had a complicated relationship with Celtics coach Doc Rivers, and Rivers expressed some of that when asked about Davis.

"He did a lot of great things for us," said Rivers. "He was on the stage when he held up the ball. He played a big part of it, he really did, especially that year. He was fantastic.

"He's a better player than his act. I was very hard on him. Still am when I talk to him, to be the player and not the act. I think Baby has a lot of good basketball left in him, and when he focuses on that, he does it."

Rivers said he has not spoken to Davis since he's gotten into town, but he said he probably will after the game.

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Keyon Dooling, Chris Wilcox, and now Mickael Pietrus will all miss tonight's game due to injury. Your Celtics starters tonight are Avery Bradley, Sasha Pavlovic, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jermaine O'Neal.

"Sasha will start just because we want to have more shooting on the floor early," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

Rivers said Pietrus was due for an MRI on his shoulder after not being able to lift his arm over his head last night. That mean's he's probably out for a while. Rivers said Rondo and Dooling could return Thurs. in Orlando. The others aren't close.

-- Jeff Green made an appearance in the Celtics locker room before the game. He declined to speak to reporters but greeted his former teammates. He looked great just two weeks after heart surgery.

"It was awesome [to see Green], it was great," said Rivers. "We kidded around a lot. We brought him in in the morning for the breakfast. It was really cool. I was amazed obviously it was two weeks ago, and he looks normal, he's walking around. We made a joke, being sarcastic, to the guys who are injured, that he's walking around and they can't play."

Welcome to TD Garden, where the Boston Celtics will take on the Orlando Magic at 7:30 p.m. The teams meet again in a delayed home-and-home on Thursday night.

Ray Allen just walked onto the parquet floor as the Celtics prepared for their team walkthrough, which is closed to the media. The glimpse of Allen we got to see looked every bit like his usual robotic self. He was in uniform and walking without a limp and without a heavy ankle brace. His status for tonight's game is questionable.

Didn't get to see if Rajon Rondo was on the court before being kicked off, but imagine he can walk through plays even with an injured wrist. Whether he plays tonight is also up in the air. The Celtics probably need both players to beat a surging Orlando team, who could win their fifth straight road game tonight.

Back with more in a bit.

By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff

The good news is the Celtics are back home tonight. The bad news is they're not playing the Wizards. The Celtics have three wins against the Wiz this season and three against everybody else. They've yet to log what could be considered a "good" win. A win tonight against Orlando would qualify.

Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Celtics (6-9), Magic (11-4)
Broadcast info:CSNNE (Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn), WEEI 93.7 FM/850 AM (Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell)

Probable starters:

Celtics:
PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Jermaine O'Neal

Magic:
PG: Jameer Nelson
SG: J.J. Redick
SF: Jason Richardson
PF: Ryan Anderson
C: Dwight Howard

Injuries: Ray Allen (ankle) and Rajon Rondo (wrist) are both questionable for the Celtics, as is guard Keyon Dooling. Avery Bradley would likely start again for Rondo if he can't go, while E'Twaun Moore, Marquis Daniels, or maybe even Mickael Pietrus could start for Allen.

Storylines:

Roster: The Celtics may be without their starting backcourt tonight. They were without Paul Pierce for the first three games of the season, all losses. It shouldn't matter. More guys aren't getting hurt this season, they're just missing more games. The Celtics can't afford to wait until their guys come back to start winning games. They're already behind.

Surprising Magic: With Dwight Howard probably out the door after the season, the Magic were an afterthought heading into this year. But they've won four straight on the road and are second in the East behind Chicago. Ryan Anderson (17.5 points, 7.3 rebounds) has been one of the league's best power forwards. The Magic were supposed to be in the same boat as the Celtics this season -- not quite elite -- but so far they've been much better.

Baby's back: Glen Davis returns to TD Garden tonight as a member of the Magic. The reaction won't be Perk-like, but it shouldn't be bad, either. Davis is averaging 7.9 points and 5.1 rebounds, and he is shooting 37.5 percent.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

WASHINGTON -- The Celtics have been hobbled with injuries all season and they received another scare when guard Ray Allen left Sunday's game in the second quarter with the Washington Wizards with what the team is calling a "jammed" left ankle. X-rays were negative and Allen said he will try to play tomorrow night against the Orlando Magic.

Allen ran into an illegal screen by Washington rookie Jan Vesely and crumbled to the floor, leaving with 6:36 left in the half.

"The guy stuck his leg out and when I tried to get over the screen and my foot didn't come down and it just kind of jammed, as I tried to get through, it just kind of locked in," he said after the Celtics' 100-94 win. "There's pain in the back of my ankle. If I had my druthers, I would have tried to come back out on the floor and work through it but I just felt too much tightness and pain in it right now.

"It's a blessing that we played early. I have the rest of the day ... hopefully the pain resolves and hopefully we'll see by tomorrow."

Allen had double ankle surgery that cost him the final 27 games of the 2006-07 season with the Seattle SuperSonics.

FInal: Celtics 100-94: A gritty win given Ray Allen was lost to a jammed ankle in the second quarter and the Celtics struggled at the point guard position. Paul Pierce finished with 34 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds in a magnificent performance.

Fourth quarter, 31.3, Celtics 97-92: The Celtics are trying to hold on but needed one more good possession and got a jumper from Kevin Garnett, who has warmed up in the second half. They have committed 17 turnovers and have been sloppy with the ball at times. They have been carried by Paul Pierce, who has 33 points.

Fourth quarter, 3:23, Celtics 93-86: Paul Pierce is going off on the Wizards, he has 33 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds and his layup just gave the Celtics a little cushion in what has been an afternoon on attrition. Ray Allen is out with a jammed left ankle, joining Rajon Rondo, who is also out for the second consecutive game.

Fourth quarter, 5:55, Wizards 84-83: Celtics are running out of game and getting little from the point guard position. Avery Bradley and E'Twaun Moore are a combined 1-for-10 shooting. Bradley has five turnovers and seven assists. Paul Pierce has 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists in his best game of the season.

End of third quarter, Celtics 73-69: Celtics led by 13 in the quarter but the point guard play is killing them right now. Avery Bradley had five turnovers while E'Twaun Moore needs more experience. Paul Pierce is near a triple double.

Third quarter, 5:59, Celtics 63-53: Doc Rivers, sensing a slight shift in momentum, calls a timeout after a 4-0 Washington run. The Celtics are trying to give themselves a break and put some real distance between themselves and the Wizards. John Wall has been a one-man show with 18 points, including a stretch of 12 in a row.

Third quarter, 8:54, Celtics 57-44: Celtics are trucking without Ray Allen, who left the game with a jammed left ankle. Mickael Pietrus has scored 12 points and Paul Pierce is on a triple-double watch with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists as the Celtics try to get their swagger back without two starters.

Halftime, Celtics 49-40: Paul Pierce has had a break-out half with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists while Ray Allen has 7 points but left the game with a jammed left ankle. He is uncertain to return. Mickael Pietrus has 8 points and is being more aggressive. John Wall has 15 points for the Wizards, including the last 10 of the half.

Second quarter, 3:58, Celtics 40-32: Paul Pierce is beginning to look like his old self. He has 16 points with 6 rebounds and 3 assists and has drained both of his 3-point attempts. Ray Allen has 7 points but apparently sprained his ankle on an illegal screen by Washington's Jan Vesely and is in the locker room.

Second quarter, 6:50, Celtics 31-28: Boston on a 5-0 run and the Celtics are playing with some energy but the offense is having problems without Rajon Rondo. Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley lead the team with three assists apiece. The Wizards are getting production from their bench, which has scored 12 of their 28 points.

End of first quarter, Wizards 21-20: Washington ends the quarter on an 8-2 run as John Wall scored the final 4 points. The Wizards are shooting 42 percent from the field and are outrebounding the Celtics, 14-8. Ray Allen has 7 points for the Celtics while Avery Bradley is 0-for-3 shooting with three assists.

First quarter, 2:52, Celtics 16-13: Ray Allen has 7 points on 3-for-5 shooting, which is an encouraging sign for the offense. Paul Pierce scored 4 points with 3 rebounds and 2 assists in his seven minutes. Andray Blatche is off to a good start after being booed before the Wizards' previous home game. He has 6 points, including a statement dunk on Jermaine O'Neal.

First quarter, 5:57, Tied at 10: The Celtics are playing with aggression and forcing Washington into jumpers but the Wizards are hitting those jumpers. Ray Allen is off to a solid start with 4 points while Paul Pierce has 4 points and 2 rebounds.

First quarter, 7:50, Wizards 8-6: Avery Bradley has been aggressive but had both of his shots blocked while Ray Allen has an early bucket. Celtics trying desperately to get off to a fast start. Andray Blatche has 4 points.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Celtics will go for their third win of the season against the Wizards but it will have to come without Rajon Rondo, who will miss his second consecutive game with a sprained right wrist. And as expected, Keyon Dooling and Chris Wilcox are also out.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he is not concerned about Rondo's injury long term but he is questionable to return tomorrow against the Orlando Magic.

So Avery Bradley will be the start and will be helped by E'Twaun Moore. The combo was inconsistent in Friday's loss to Phoenix but Bradley had his moments.

STARTING LINEUPS

BOSTON CELTICS

PG Avery Bradley
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O'Neal

Inactive: Keyon Dooling, Chris Wilcox

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

PG John Wall
SG Nick Young
SF Chris Singleton
PF Andray Blatche
C JaVale McGee

Inactive: Hamady Ndiaye, Ronny Turiaf

OFFICIALS: Joe Crawford, Kevin Fehr and Violet Palmer

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

The Celtics will be without Rajon Rondo for a second consecutive game today against the Washington Wizards with a sprained right wrist. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Avery Bradley will start at point guard.

Rondo has not played since landing awkwardly on the wrist during a third-quarter drive to the basket Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors. An MRI was negative and he has been listed as day-to-day. It is unknown whether Rondo will be available for Monday's home game against the Orlando Magic.

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff

Paul Pierce spoke with the media for the first time since team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told the Globe he would consider breaking up the Big Three in the right deal. Here are a few nuggets from the interview.

*"You can’t pay attention to that, that’s part of the business. You’ve just got to continue to do your job as a professional each and every day. What makes we want to play well is our record. That’s more than anything. I don’t read the papers. I really don’t buy into everything that’s been said. I just more concerned about this group and what’s going on in this locker room.”

Pierce has had a rocky tenure in Boston at times and was almost traded to Portland on draft night five years ago.

“I understand,” he said. “What the Celtics have done for me throughout my career, I’m more than happy. They’ve kept me this long and I’ve been able to play in a lot of good situations and you gotta understand the business. It’s been a while since I’ve been down that road. But I don’t think about it actually.”

What can the Celtics do to get out of this rutt?

*“Just to keep grinding, just to keep going, not to get discouraged. Keep the guys confident, keep their heads up and tell them eventually we’ll turn this thing around."

Is he disappointed with the 5-9 start?

*"Why wouldn’t I be. We’re four or five games under .500. We’d like to be a lot better but it is what it is. We just got keep going back to the drawing board and getting back to work. Keep preparing. This is a group that’s not going to lose any confidence. That’s not going to put our heads down. This is a good opportunity for us to show what we’re made of through the adversity.

"It’s about putting the four quarters together. You do see the signs of some good things out there. It’s about putting it out there for four quarters. I’m still confident in this group."

Final: Suns 79-71: Hard to see anything encouraging about this one. The Celtics were awful offensively. scoring 15 points in the first quarter and 16 in the fourth. Ray Allen led Boston with 14 points while Paul Pierce added 12. Marcin Gortat led all scorers with 24 points, including 14 in a row in the first quarter. Steve Nash added 11 points and nine assists. The Celtics fall to 5-9.

Fourth quarter, 1:39, Suns 76-66: The Celtics are headed to another bad loss as Phoenix has led most of the way and shut down the Celtics' non-existent offense. Boston is shooting 40 percent with 18 turnovers, 11 in a putrid second half.

Fourth quarter, 2:50, Suns 71-63: This one's on the offense, which can't consistently score. The Celtics went 6:03 without a point and are headed for a season low in points unless something dramatic happens. Brandon Bass and Ray Allen led Boston with 11 points each.

Fourth quarter, 5:49, Suns 67-59: The Celtics went through a six-minute drought after taking a 55-52 lead and are desperately trying to scrape back. Paul Pierce and Avery Bradley lead the Celtics with 10 points while Marcin Gortat has 20 and 10 rebounds for Phoenix. The Suns are shooting 36 percent in the second half.

Fourth quarter, 8:40, Suns 64-55: The Celtics haven't scored since the 2:17 mark of the third quarter, a span of 5 minutes 37 seconds and Phoenix is on a 12-0 run. It's another example of the Celtics anemic offense, especially without Rajon Rondo and Keyon Dooling. Paul Pierce leads the Celtics with 10 points.

End of third quarter, Suns 60-55: Celtics allow Phoenix to score the last 8 points of the quarter and now trail by 5 after taking the lead. The defense was solid in that period but E'Twaun Moore has struggled running the point with 2 points on 1-for-6 shooting. Avery Bradler has been steadier with 8 points in 25 minutes.

Third quarter, 4:56, Suns 50-48: The Celtics are off to a 13-4 run to start the second half and seem to have solved the Suns defensively. But they are wasting more chances to go ahead or tie the game. A big issue in the last few games. Paul Pierce has 10 points while Avery Bradley has 8 points.

Halftime, Suns 46-35: The Celtics obviously aren't the same team without Rajon Rondo but the Suns are doing a nice job of defending everything near the basket and not giving up any easy layups. The Celtics have missed a load of easy shots and are shooting 36.4 percent from the field while Brandon Bass leads them with 8 points. Marcin Gortat scored 16 points in the first half, 14 in the first quarter.

Second quarter, 2:58, Suns 41-34: The Celtics are slowly climbing back into the game as four of the five starters have 6 points -- not Jermaine O'Neal -- and Brandon Bass has 8 off the bench. The Celtics have been able to slow down the Phoenix break and have just five turnovers. Avery Bradley has played well in his first start.

Second quarter, 5:48, Suns 35-25: Another slow Celtics start and Phoenix didn't come to Boston to play patsy. Marcin Gortat has 16 points and the Suns are shooting 51.7 percent. The Celtics need a scoring leader with Rajon Rondo out and no one has taken that responsibility yet.

Second quarter, 8:04, Suns 32-23: Suns on a 6-0 run and the Celtics' defense is sagging against Phoenix's up-tempo pace. Former BC standout Jared Dudley has 5 points off the bench while Marcin Gortat scored 14 points in 12 minutes. The Celtics are shooting 40.7 percent and Kevin Garnett has 4 points.

End of first quarter, Suns 20-15: Marcin Gortat is looking like Michael Jordan so far, scoring 14 straight points for Phoenix on 7-for-11 shooting with four rebounds. He has scored Phoenix's last 14 points. Grant Hill has 4 points for the Suns and Steve Nash has 2. The Celtics are shooting 36.8 percent. Paul Pierce has 6 points.

First quarter, 4:32, Suns 16-8: Marcin Gortat is giving Jermaine O'Neal the business with 10 points and 4 rebounds in just seven minutes. Gortat is 5-for-7 shooting while O'Neal has yet to score.

The good news for the Celtics is an MRI on Rajon Rondo's right wrist was negative but the bad news is the team's training staff suggested he take the night off. So the Celtics will go with 21-year-old Avery Bradley as a starter against future Hall of Famer Steve Nash.

STARTING LINEUPS

PHOENIX SUNS (5-9)

PG Steve Nash
SG Jared Dudley
SF Grant Hill
PF Channing Frye
C Marcin Gortat

Inactives: None

BOSTON CELTICS (5-8)

PG Avery Bradley
SG Ray Allen
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Jermaine O'Neal

Inactives: Keyon Dooling, Chris Wilcox

Officials: Greg Willard, James Williams, Brent Barnaky