Boston

Celts First Eastern Team to Beat Suns at Home


Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services 

If you've watched Paul Pierce before and after Antoine Walker came back to the Celtics on Thursday, you've noticed a significant change in his demeanor. Before, he had his serious game face on that was often confused for a frown or a scowl. Now, he's all smiles, even when he's arguing calls with refs. Even when he's on the bench, the corners of his mouth can't stay down. He's happy, and so are Celtics fans, as Boston became the first team in the Eastern Conference to beat the Phoenix Suns at their home. Boston won 120-113.

Marcus Banks had the highlight of the game. As Shawn Marion drove the lane and various Celtics were rotating all over on defenses, he spotted a wide open Steven Hunter right under the basket and fed him the ball. The 7-foot giant Hunter thought he had an easy dunk: the only Green jersey next to him belonged to the diminutive 6-2 point guard Banks. Hunter elevated, but so did Banks, and what happened above the rim was sensational: Banks just kept climbing and climbing and he cleanly rejected Hunter's dunk attempt. It was an amazing moment.

Even more amazing was Banks's smart decision immediately after. Both players collapsed in a heap under the hoop but Banks had the presence of mind to get out of the paint quickly while Hunter languished underneath for no good reason. Three-seconds in the paint. Turnover. Brilliant.

Banks and fellow point guard Delonte West both had tremendous games. West only had two assists but it seemed as if he was running the offense fluidly. Really the offense was: get the ball to Antoine Walker in the post and let him work his magic, and work it he did. Walker finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds, leading the team in points and rebounds for the second straight game, both victories. He also had six assists.

When will teams learn that the Celtics are an amazing team with Walker and Pierce playing together? You'd think they would get it from the opening tip. In both of these games, the first play has been a deep post feed from Walker to Pierce for a layup to start the game 2-0. Yet they never seem to learn.

NEXT GAME
The Celtics (29-28, first in the Atlantic) take on the longtime rivals LA Lakers (28-26, third in the Pacific) tomorrow, Tuesday, March 1. The game starts at 7:30pm and will be broadcast on Fox Sports New England and NBA League Pass.

TEAM NOTES
Shira Springer ofThe Boston Globe notes: [Walter] McCarty's new locker is next to former Celtic Joe Johnson. "It's kind of like old times," said Johnson. "We've just got to keep this thing rolling."

INJURY UPDATE
Justin Reed("knee" injury, yeah right) is on the "injured" list.Tony Allen(ankle sprain) sat out last night's game.

NEWSLINES

Steve Bulpett ofThe Boston Heraldwrites: The Celts moved to 2-0 in the Second Coming of 'Toine, going on a 12-1 run in overtime to set the Phoenix Suns, 120-113, at America West Arena in their road trip finale.``We feel like we've got a playoff team,'' captain Paul Pierce [news] said. ``We're past that now. Now let's go out and win the (Atlantic) division and win it in style. We know we're a playoff team.''

Shira Springer ofThe Boston Globewrites: In the Celtics' 120-113 overtime win against the Suns last night, Walker (33 points, 13 rebounds) had company as Paul Pierce (25 points, 12 rebounds) also logged a double-double to help the visitors get the job done at America West Arena, finish the road trip 2-2, and move one game above .500. For the second time since Antoine Walker returned to Boston, the Celtics finished with a victory and the power forward recorded a double-double.

The Associated Press writes inThe Pioneer Press: Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni called Boston a "sub-par team."The Celtics looked like anything but against the Suns with Antoine Walker back in green and white. Walker scored 33 points - on 32 shots - and grabbed 13 rebounds to help the Celtics ruin the Suns' perfect home record against the Eastern Conference with a 120-113 victory Sunday night. D'Antoni, who was ejected for the first time as the Suns' coach, was upset with the trash talking on both sides after the teams combined for seven technicals - and he couldn't help taking a slight jab at the visitors.

Shira Springer ofThe Boston Globewrites: When it came to Walter McCarty, broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn was not his usual enthusiastic self last night.But there was plenty to love as McCarty finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds in 20 minutes for the Suns in his first game against the Celtics since Boston traded him to Phoenix Feb. 8 for a second-round draft pick. The Celtics, though, loved the result, a 120-113 overtime win. Since moving to Phoenix, McCarty has found a lot to love with his new team in his new city.