Welcome to the Garden ...

TD BANKNORTH GARDEN -- Welcome to the Garden, where the Boston Celtics (17-2) will take on the Indiana Pacers (7-10) at 7:30 p.m.

Paul Pierce just finished up his pregame shooting routine, and seeing him up close, it's obvious the captain is in the best shape he's been in in several years. He's trimmer, and he's getting off the floor much more quickly on dunks and lay-ins.

He had a little trouble this evening, however, with overhead halfcourt shots. Pierce attempted two in a row and clanged them off the backboard before Celtics mascot Lucky (Damon Blust)stepped up and made it on his first attempt. A group of kids sitting courtside was awfully impressed.

The Celtics aren't likely to go to any trickery tonight with the pesky Pacers in town. Indiana is coming off a 118-117 victory last night over the Lakers, and the Pacers also handed Boston one of its two losses this season, a 95-79 victory in Indiana on Nov. 1.

You think the Celtics might have a little revenge on their minds?

This Pacers roster doesn't scream at you with talent, but Danny Granger is one of the league's rising young players, Troy Murphy is a beast, and T.J. Ford is a handful. Jarret Jack is always fun to watch. And Jim O'Brien's teams can make things difficult on you if they're making shots.