SB Nation Boston - Celtics 100, Wizards 92: Ray Allen, Boston Pull Away Late For Winhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-01-03T11:13:46-05:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24378962012-01-03T11:13:46-05:002012-01-03T11:13:46-05:00Celtics Overtime: Ray Allen Is A Machine, Greg Stiemsma Is Legit
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<p><i>Celtics Overtime is a postgame feature providing extra news, notes and analysis from each game. Boston defeated the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a>, 100-92, on Monday night in Boston, MA.</i></p>
<p>They're baaaack. Thought the Boston Celtics would struggle all season long? You would be foolish to think so. <span>Ray Allen</span> and the C's took care of business against the Washington Wizards, beating the lowly Wiz crew 100-92 to complete the sweep of the home-and-home series that started on Sunday night in Washington D.C.</p>
<p>Is that really surprising? No, not really. The Wizards were 0-3 coming into the series -- they lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> AND <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> in the process -- and are now 0-5 after two whoopins' at the hands of the Celtics. Job well done.</p>
<p>What led to the Celtics' second win over Washington and third in a row? Well, this.</p>
<p><b>RAY ALLEN (NOT ALBERT PUJOLS) IS THE MACHINE</b></p>
<p>Remember that ESPN SportsCenter commercial with Albert Pujols and they were calling him a machine? Well, ESPN was wrong. The REAL machine in the sports world is Ray Allen. He could make a shot blindfolder. Let's take that further - he could make a shot blindfolder and sitting in Section 324 of the garden. He's just that good, and anyone who watches knows that. For that reason, it wasn't a surprise that Allen led the game in scoring with 27 points while making 6-of-7 three pointers. In short, he's money. But guess what? Allen wasn't healthy tonight, coming down with a cold on Sunday night. No matter, because he STILL lit up the Wizards. Need any more proof that Allen is the greatest shooter?</p>
<p><b>GREG STIEMSMA IS FOR REAL, EARNING PLAYING TIME</b></p>
<p>What has it been, all of three weeks? In that time, <span>Greg Stiemsma</span> has gone from training camp invitee to making the roster to starting for the Boston Celtics. Is there anything the Stiemer can't do? Stiemsma started in place of an "injured" Jermaine O'Neal (after the game, I asked JO if he had a hamstring injury. He told me it's not an injury, and he came to the arena today with the intention of playing, but Celtics trainer Ed Lacerte advised <span>Doc Rivers</span> not to play him). In his start, he dominated the competition. Dare I say, he steimrolled the Wizards? Stiemsma had 13 points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes, and of course a couple of blocks to go along with that. He's proving that he deserves minutes on this basketball team. The problem is, where will he get them? <span>Chris Wilcox</span> is working his way back, and will have the chance to earn his minutes back (because the Celtics aren't going to pay him $3 million to ride the pine). Stiemsma has only been in the line up because of an injury to Wilcox, and tonight due to O'Neal's hamstring injury..oh, wait, "non-injury" (sorry about that, JO). But as long as Stiemsma continues to play like this, he will stick around with the Celtics.</p>
<p><b>PAUL PIERCE DOESN'T NEED PRACTICE. THAT'S THE TRUTH.</b></p>
<p>If Ray Allen is the machine, <span>Paul Pierce</span> is an iron man. Pierce has had all of 15 minutes of practice since returning to the lineup on Friday night in the home opener against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a>. Since then, he's been producing solidly. Pierce had 21 points and right rebounds in 34 minutes -- over 10 more minutes than he had in the home opener -- and looked like his old self all night long. It goes without saying that the Celtics will need Pierce to be his Hall of Fame self is the team is going to go anywhere this season. Monday's performance proved that he's going to be just fine. Count on it.</p>
<p><b>BOTTOM LINE: </b>The Celtics haven't exactly beaten the greatest teams in the world during their three-game winning streak -- the Pistons once and the Wizards twice -- but they are looking a lot better than they did in their 0-3 start. That's a big step forward, as Boston will need to bring its 'A' game to challenge the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> for Eastern Conference supremacy (a task they may not be able to do even with a perfect team this season). But it's a step in the right direction. At this point, that's what you like to see. As <span>Keyon Dooling</span> said in the locker room, the C's are taking baby steps, but they are moving in the right direction.</p>
<p><b>NEXT UP: </b>The Celtics will look to run their winning streak to four games when they face the big-bad <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-jersey-nets">New Jersey Nets</a> (OK, just the BAD Nets) on Wednesday night at TD Garden. New Jersey is 1-5 and is in no condition to challenge any team for anything this season. Just like the series with Washington, it should be an easy win for the Celtics.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 1.2.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> </span></td>
<td>24</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>22</td>
<td class="highlight">92</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></td>
<td>23</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>31</td>
<td class="highlight">100</td>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2012/1/3/2678357/boston-celtics-2012-nba-news-ray-allen-greg-stiemsma-paul-pierceGethin Coolbaugh2012-01-03T01:06:54-05:002012-01-03T01:06:54-05:00Jermaine O'Neal On Hamstring: 'Not An Injury'
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<p>On Monday, Celtics fans got a bit of a scare when they learned that starting center Jermaine O'Neal had been scratched from the lineup due to a sore left hamstring and replaced by <span>Greg Stiemsma</span>. Even though he was unable to go on Monday night, O'Neal insists that he's OK.</p>
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<p>"No, not it's not an injury," O'Neal said. "I got here with the intentions on playing. Ed Lacerte went through the regular routine of our pregame [stretching]. It's still sore. It's been sore the last three days. He just thought that just based off our schedule, he'd prefer for me not to play." <a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21166471/oneal-hamstring-its-not-injury">(via WEEI</a>) </p>
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<p>Despite missing the game, O'Neal said he tried convince head coach <span>Doc Rivers</span> to let him play, but was advised otherwise by team trainer Ed Lecerte. As a result, O'Neal will look to get clearance to play Wednesday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-jersey-nets">New Jersey Nets</a>.</p>
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<p>"I came to the arena with the thought process that I was playing. He had a conversation with Doc and sometimes players get trumped with whatever decision they have. It's not a hamstring pull or anything like that. And the fact of the matter [is] I'll be ready to go come Wednesday." (<a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21166471/oneal-hamstring-its-not-injury">via WEEI</a>) </p>
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<p> <i>For more <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics Blog</a></i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2012/1/3/2678538/jermaine-oneal-on-hamstring-not-an-injurybostonsportsguy172012-01-02T21:59:47-05:002012-01-02T21:59:47-05:00Celtics Vs. Wizards Final Score: C's Pull Away Late For 100-92 Win
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<p><b>BOSTON - </b><span>Ray Allen</span> scored 27 points, making 6-of-7 three pointers in the process, as the Boston Celtics pulled away late in the fourth quarter to capture a 100-92 victory over the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a> on Monday night at TD Garden.</p>
<p>Boston improved to 3-3 and completed a two-game sweep of the Wizards (0-5), who they also played on New Year's Day down in Washington D.C. and defeated 94-86. The Celtics and Wizards will meet again twice more this season.</p>
<p><span>Paul Pierce</span>, playing in his third game of the season, had a season-high 21 points and eight rebounds. <span>Greg Stiemsma</span>, who started in place of an injured Jermaine O'Neal, had an impressive outing, totaling 13 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. <span>Rajon Rondo</span> scored six points but had 12 assists and six rebounds while <span>Brandon Bass</span> scored 12 off the bench.</p>
<p><span>Andray Blatche</span> scored 28 points to lead the Wizards, who shot 00.0 percent. <span>JaVale McGee</span> finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds and <span>Nick Young</span> added 10 points. <span>John Wall</span> had 11 points, eight assists and three rebounds in the loss.</p>
<p>Boston returns to action on Wednesday night when it hosts the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-jersey-nets" class="sbn-auto-link">New Jersey Nets</a>.</p>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> </span></td>
<td>24</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>22</td>
<td class="highlight">92</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></td>
<td>23</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>31</td>
<td class="highlight">100</td>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2012/1/2/2678214/celtics-vs-wizards-final-score-ray-allen-greg-stiemsma-andray-blatche-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2012-01-02T20:43:37-05:002012-01-02T20:43:37-05:00Celtics Vs. Wizards Score Update: Washington Leads, 48-47, At Half
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<p><b>BOSTON - </b><span>Ray Allen</span> carried the Boston Celtics in the first half, totaling 16 points on 5-of-11 shooting, but the C's trail the Washington Wizards, 48-47, at halftime in the home-and-home series finale on Monday night at TD Garden.</p>
<p><span>Greg Stiemsma</span>, who started in place of an injured Jermaine O'Neal, started strong with four early points and two blocks. He finished the half five points, five rebounds and two assists. <span>Paul Pierce</span>, playing in his third game of the season, had 10 points and four boards and both <span>Kevin Garnett</span> and <span>Brandon Bass</span> scored six points in the half for Boston.</p>
<p><span>Andray Blatche</span> led the Wizards with 12 points. <span>JaVale McGee</span> had eight points and 10 rebounds while Rashard Lewisscored seven points and <span>John Wall</span> totaled six points and three assists in 19 minutes for Washington.</p>
<p>Boston went ahead 14-6 early in the first quarter, but the Wizards rallied back to grab a 24-23 lead after one quarter. The Wizards and Celtics both scored 24 points in the quarter as Washington maintained its one point lead at the break.</p>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="undecided"> <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> </span></td>
<td>24</td>
<td>12</td>
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<td class="highlight">36</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="undecided"> <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></td>
<td>23</td>
<td>14</td>
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<td class="highlight">37</td>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2012/1/2/2678076/celtics-vs-wizards-score-update-halftime-ray-allen-andray-blatche-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2012-01-02T20:21:31-05:002012-01-02T20:21:31-05:00Celtics Vs. Wizards: Flip Saunders Ejected Early In First Quarter
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<p><b>BOSTON - </b>It was an early night for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> head coach Flip Saunders, who was ejected from the game after receiving two technical fouls for grabbing an official and chasing him out onto the court in his team's game against the Boston Celtics on Monday night at TD Garden.</p>
<p>Saunders, who was apparently upset about a non-foul call on a <span>Greg Stiemsma</span> block of a Wizards' three-pointer, became irate with an official and follow him all the way out to center court, where the referees assessed him two technical fouls.</p>
<p>The Wizards weren't done with the technicals, either, finishing the first quarter with four total. After Saunders was assessed two, Wizards star point guard <span>John Wall</span> was T'd up after a dunk for slamming the ball in Stiemsma's face. The team was also assessed a technical foul for a defensive three seconds violation.</p>
<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2012/1/2/2678046/celtics-vs-wizards-flip-saunders-ejected-technical-foul-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2012-01-02T19:00:36-05:002012-01-02T19:00:36-05:00Celtics Vs. Wizards: Greg Stiemsma Starts, Jermaine O'Neal Is Out
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<p><b>BOSTON - </b><span>Greg Stiemsma</span> will make his first career start for the Boston Celtics when the C's host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> in the finale of a home-and-home, back-to-back series on Monday night at TD Garden.</p>
<p>Stiemsma, the NBADL Defensive Player of the Year last season, was invited to Celtics training camp and made the team over fellow bigs <span>Michael Sweetney</span>, <span>Jamal Sampson</span> and swingman <span>Gilbert Brown</span>. Stiemsma has played in three games for the Celtics this season, averaging 2.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 blocks. In his first game, Stiemsma had six blocks in a loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a>.</p>
<p>Jermaine O'Neal suffered an injury on Sunday in the win over the Wizards, which according to Celtics head coach <span>Doc Rivers</span> wasn't serious, and will be inactive for Monday's game. <span>Chris Wilcox</span>, who was dealing with a shoulder injury, will return to action tonight. In two games, Wilcox has averaged 2.0 points and 3.0 rebounds for Boston.</p>
<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2012/1/2/2677871/celtics-vs-wizards-greg-stiemsma-jermaine-oneal-chris-wilcox-injury-update-nba-newsGethin Coolbaugh2012-01-02T08:01:50-05:002012-01-02T08:01:50-05:00Celtics Vs. Wizards: Boston Hosts Washington In Back-To-Back Finale
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<p>Coming off their second win of the season on Sunday evening, the Boston Celtics will face the Washington Wizards for the second straight night, this time at TD Garden in Boston, MA, at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Boston is coming off a 94-86 win over Washington, marking the Celtics' first road win of the season. Now, they'll look to capture the back-to-back sweep.</p>
<p><span>Kevin Garnett</span> and <span>Rajon Rondo</span> paced the Celtics in the win, combining to total 42 points, 20 rebounds and 17 assists. Garnett had a game-high 24 points and nine rebounds and Rondo had a triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists for Boston, which made 37-of-74 field goals to shoot an even 50 percent from the floor.</p>
<p><span>Paul Pierce</span>, playing in his second game back from a right heel injury, had nine points, six rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes and <span>Ray Allen</span> scored 13 points. Jermaine O'Neal had eight points and three boards in the Celtics' victory.</p>
<p><span>John Wall</span> scored 19 points and had eight assists and seven rebounds for Washington, which shot 41 percent on 32-of-78 shooting. <span>Nick Young</span> scored 18 points, <span>JaVale McGee</span> added 16 points and 14 boards to go along with five blocks.</p>
<p>Boston and Washington met four times last season, with each team winning two times. After Monday night's game between the Celtics and Wizards, the two teams will play twice more.</p>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> <br> <span>@ <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Monday, Jan 2, 2012, 7:30 PM EST</span><br> TD Garden</p>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">our team page</a> and blog, <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank">CelticsBlog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2012/1/2/2675599/celtics-vs-wizards-2012-rajon-rondo-kevin-garnett-john-wall-javale-mcgee-nba-scores-newsGethin Coolbaugh2012-01-02T07:00:38-05:002012-01-02T07:00:38-05:00Celtics Overtime: Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo Carry Boston In Big Way
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<p><i>Celtics Overtime is a postgame feature providing extra news, notes and analysis from each game. Boston defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a>, 94-86, on New Year's Day in Washington D.C.</i></p>
<p>No one expects the Boston Celtics to compete for a championship this season, but there are plenty of expectations that are reasonable. One of which is beating the bad teams. After doing so twice, it looks like things are returning to order.</p>
<p>Boston lost its first three games of the season, losing to two top tier teams in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a> before being blown out by the rebuilding <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets">New Orleans Hornets</a>. It's safe to say that was not what was expected of them.</p>
<p>On Friday night, the Celtics beat up on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> in the home opener. They followed their first win up with another quality performance against the Washington Wizards in a 94-86 win in D.C. on New Year's Day. That's more like it, isn't it?</p>
<p>Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo were the driving forces in the victory. Here's what the game came down to.</p>
<p><b>THE BIG TICKET IS BACK (FOR NOW)</b></p>
<p>If you didn't know if was 2012 (first of all, you'd be a shut in), you could have sworn that it was 2003 all over again based on <span>Kevin Garnett's</span> performance in the win over Washington. Garnett finished with a game-high 24 points and collected nine rebounds in 28 minutes for Boston. Watching KG on Sunday was probably the most similar performance we'll see to his 2003-04 season when he won the MVP award. No, KG doesn't have as much pop and ferocity as he did then, but to say that he is washed up (as man are suggesting) is hogwash. That's right, hogwosh. Garnett won't lead the team in scoring most nights, but when they need him to, he can pull out performances like this. He's a future HOFer, remember?</p>
<p><b>RAJON RONDO's OFFENSE RETURNS</b></p>
<p>After a brief two-game hiatus, <span>Rajon Rondo's</span> offense has returned. Rondo finished with his first triple-double of the season (knowing Rondo, it probably won't be his last), totaling 18 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. That's quite the game, isn't it? With <span>Paul Pierce</span> -- the team's leading scorer since practically forever (or the early 2000s) -- working his way back into the lineup, <span>Doc Rivers</span> is in need of points anywhere he can get it. Right now, Rondo's offense is helping -- a lot. If he keeps this up, the Celtics will put themselves in a much better position to contend for that 18th championship.</p>
<p><b>CELTICS LACKING KILLER INSTINCT</b></p>
<p>Several times during Sunday's game, the Celtics had a chance to put the Wizards away for good. As it turns out, they couldn't do so until the final five minutes of the game. Boston led by 19 at one point in the second half, but the C's went soft and allowed Washington to get right back into the game. Being only December (and five games into the season), it's unfair to expect the Celtics to have perfect defensive games. In fact, with the roster in its current shape, it may be unfair to expect consistency on defense (or offense for that matter) at all this season. Still, it is concerning. This is a team that the Celtics should be able to put away easily. Instead, they eased up and let Washington come back. That's a no-no.</p>
<p><b>BOTTOM LINE: </b>It's unfair to a criticize to any team for winning, so only so much can be said about Boston's inability to put the Wizards away sooner. Overall, it was a solid performance that gave the Celtics their second win in a row. When push comes to shove, these are games that the C's should be winning. If they keep this up, they'll be in decent shape.</p>
<p><b>NEXT UP: </b>Boston won't have to wait long for its next rematch with Washington. Less than 24 hours, in fact. The Celtics and Wizards will play again in the second game of a back-to-back at 7 p.m. EDT on Monday night at TD Garden. Boston hasn't done very well in the final game of back-to-backs, so the Celtics may not have as much success on Monday.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 1.1.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>22</td>
<td>21</td>
<td class="highlight">94</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> </span></td>
<td>17</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>26</td>
<td class="highlight">86</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-celtics/2012/1/2/2675382/boston-celtics-2012-nba-news-kevin-garnett-rajon-rondo-paul-pierceGethin Coolbaugh