New 3 Win Again, Tie Mark Set by Old 3

12/15/2007

Larry Bird is reluctant to compare his Celtics teams from the 1980s with today's version. But after the current Celtics earned a 104-82 victory over the Bucks last night at TD Banknorth Garden, they have something in common with Bird's teams.

The Celtics joined their 1983-84 forebears as the only teams in franchise history to open the season with a 12-0 home record. They could break that mark by defeating the Pistons Wednesday.

Boston also improved to 19-2, the best record in the NBA, and won its eighth straight.

"I'm happy for their success," Bird, now the Pacers' president of basketball operations, said recently through a spokesman. "I wish them well. The accomplishments this team has stands on their own."

Paul Pierce played like Bird last night as he collected a game-high 32 points, nailing five 3-pointers and all nine of his free throws in 39 minutes. After going scoreless the previous game, Rajon Rondo turned in 17 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds. Kevin Garnett added 15 points and seven rebounds.

The Celtics put the game away by outscoring the Bucks, 32-15, in the third quarter.

It wasn't long ago that Doc Rivers was saying his team was pretty healthy. But last night, the Celtics were without guard Ray Allen and his 19.2-point scoring average because of lingering soreness in his right ankle. Backup center Scot Pollard was out for the second straight game with a back injury.

Boston, however, did get some good news as starting center Kendrick Perkins returned to the lineup after missing Wednesday's win over the Kings with a sore right toe.

After lots of icing and bicycle riding and some jogging for conditioning, Perkins was back on the floor with a toe pad in his right shoe but uncertain how much he could do after his bed fell on his foot.

"I'm tired of icing it, man," Perkins said before the game.

Guard Tony Allen made his first start of the season in place of Ray Allen. He hit two free throws to give the Celtics a 4-0 lead.

After a timeout with the Celtics up, 17-13, and 4:50 left in the first quarter, Ray Allen gave Tony Allen some advice.

Rondo made an acrobatic lay-in with 1.3 seconds left in the first to give Boston a 25-21 lead.

Garnett scored 10 points on 5-of-5 shooting in the quarter as the Celtics shot 58.8 percent. Boston allowed 13 points off six turnovers, while Milwaukee allowed 6 points off seven.

Two straight baskets by former University of Connecticut star Charlie Villanueva gave the Bucks a 32-30 lead with 7:15 left in the second quarter. A Villanueva 3-pointer gave Milwaukee a 38-34 lead with 4:54 remaining. But a highlight-reel fast-break dunk by Garnett tied it at 42 with 2:08 left. Two free throws by Pierce completed a 9-0 run that gave the Celtics a 46-42 lead with 46.5 second left.

Boston owned a 46-44 halftime lead after shooting 47.2 percent. Pierce had 14 points, while Garnett had 12 on 6-of-7 shooting. Mo Williams had a team-high 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting for the Bucks.

Perkins showed that his toe must be feeling better as his two-handed dunk with 7:54 left in the third quarter completed a 19-5 run to give Boston a 60-49 lead. Pierce nailed a 3-pointer with 6:03 left to give the Celtics a 65-53 lead. Rondo's 3-point play with 1:07 remaining gave the Celtics a 75-57 cushion. They finished the third with a 78-59 lead.

Boston did its third-quarter damage despite shooting only 47.6 percent. Pierce scored 12 points, all on 3-pointers, while Rondo added 9. The Bucks shot only 37.5 percent and allowed 12 points off seven turnovers.

Pierce nailed two free throws with 7:42 left in the fourth to give the Celtics a 90-67 lead. Shortly thereafter, he left to a standing ovation by the Celtics faithful.