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02/12/2007 -
The Boston Celtics are in a record-breaking rut that has shaken their confidence and damaged the image of a once-proud franchise.
``You can feel it in the locker room, each loss definitely hurts,'' Paul Pierce said. ``These guys are going to keep playing hard. We just need to get it out of our head.''
Easier said than done, especially when you've lost a franchise-record 18 consecutive games. The latest loss came Sunday when Ricky Davis' jumper from the corner with 0.2 seconds remaining lifted the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 109-107 victory.
``It is tough, the guys played so hard and deserve to win,'' said Pierce, who scored 29 points. ``We did everything we could. Down the stretch, they made the last play.''
The Celtics' previous franchise low was 13 straight losses in 1993-94 and 1996-97. They've blown past that mark, and haven't won since beating Memphis on Jan. 5.
The Utah Jazz also lost 18 straight in 1982 and seven teams have lost 19 games in a row. The Celtics still have a ways to go to get to the NBA record of 24 straight losses by the Cleveland Cavaliers, a streak that spanned the end of the 1981-82 season and start of the 1982-83 season.
In other NBA games, it was: Chicago 116, Phoenix 103; Seattle 114, Sacramento 103; Cleveland 99, the Los Angeles Lakers 90; Miami 100, San Antonio 85; Indiana 94, the Los Angeles Clippers 80; Portland 94, Washington 73; Dallas 106, Philadelphia 89; and Atlanta 106, Golden State 105.
At Minneapolis, the Celtics led by 10 points in the first half and 107-105 with 1:17 to play after Pierce fed Al Jefferson for a dunk.
But Kevin Garnett tied it with two free throws, then got a steal on the defensive end to give the Wolves a chance to win it with 3.6 seconds left.
Rookie Randy Foye blew past Delonte West into the lane, forcing Pierce to leave Davis wide open on the wing to prevent an easy layup.
``Paul had to help. Paul had no choice,'' Boston coach Doc Rivers said. ``He is beating himself up in there, but he did the right thing. He had no choice but to help on that play.''
Davis, a former Celtic who spoke openly about not wanting to be the team that lets Boston snap its skid, had 18 of his 28 points in the third quarter.
``It was very important for us, pride-wise at least,'' Davis said for him and Mark Blount, also a former Celtic. ``It was a big game for us.''Bulls 116, Suns 103
Kirk Hinrich scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, and Chicago snapped an eight-game losing streak in Phoenix and a three-game skid overall.
Chicago last beat the Suns on the road when the Michael Jordan-led Bulls did it on Nov. 20, 1996.
Phoenix played without Steve Nash, the league's two-time defending MVP, for the third consecutive game because of a sore right shoulder. The Suns also didn't have starter Boris Diaw because of back spasms.
The Suns were beaten by double digits for the first time this season.SuperSonics 114, Kings 103
Ray Allen scored 25 points and made a key 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter that helped Seattle win its second straight road game following a franchise-record 15-game skid away from home.
Sacramento cut a 22-point third-quarter deficit to two midway through the fourth quarter, but could never get over the hump.Cavaliers 99, Lakers 90
At Cleveland, Sasha Pavlovic scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter and the Cavaliers shut down Kobe Bryant in the final minutes.
LeBron James had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists, but he deferred to Pavlovic and others down the stretch.
Bryant scored 36 points to lead the Lakers, but didn't score again in the final 3:39 after making two free throws to tie it at 81.Heat 100, Spurs 85
At Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 18 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and the Heat held San Antonio without a field goal for more than 7 minutes down the stretch.
Wade hit seven of 10 shots in the final period, had a couple of highlight-quality blocks against Tony Parker midway through the fourth, and added seven assists as Miami beat San Antonio for the second time since Feb. 1, 2002.
Manu Ginobili had 26 points for the Spurs, who fell to 2-4 on their eight-game road trip.Pacers 94, Clippers 80
At Indianapolis, Jermaine O'Neal scored 21 points and set an Indiana franchise record for career blocked shots as the Pacers snapped a three-game losing streak.
O'Neal had four blocked shots, giving him 1,113 for his career with the Pacers and breaking the franchise record of 1,111 by former Pacers center Rik Smits.
Cuttino Mobley had 23 points for Los Angeles.Trail Blazers 94, Wizards 73
At Washington, Jarrett Jack and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 18 points apiece and the Trail Blazers held Gilbert Arenas to nine points.
Arenas, who vowed to score 50 in retaliation for Portland coach Nate McMillan's involvement with Arenas being left off the U.S. national team last summer, shot 3-for-15 from the field, including 0-for-8 on 3-pointers.Mavericks 106, 76ers 89
Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and the Mavericks built on their NBA-best 18-6 road record.
Jason Terry hit consecutive jumpers in the fourth quarter to help the Mavs stave off a surprising Sixers rally that saw them slice a 30-point deficit to eight. Nowitzki also added back-to-back baskets that pushed the lead back to 14.Hawks 106, Warriors 105
Josh Smith scored 11 of his 29 points in Atlanta's big first quarter and finished with 10 rebounds, leading the Hawks to their fifth straight road victory.
Joe Johnson added 21 points and 11 assists as Atlanta snapped a four-game losing streak in Oakland and dealt the Warriors only their ninth loss in 27 home games.
Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
<< Thrashers-Oilers, Sums
Atlanta 1 0 0-1Edmonton 1 3 1-5First Period-1, Atlanta, Belanger 9, 5:15. 2, Edmonton, Smyth 28 (Horcoff, Sykora), 9:40 (pp). Penalties-McCarthy, Atl (hooking), 9:16; Stortini, Edm (roughing), 9:54; Larsen, Atl (interference), 12:37; Kovalchuk, Atl
<< Stuart comes home in trade
DETROIT (AP) -Brad Stuart isn't even thinking about heading back to his home province.The veteran of nine NHL seasons and a native of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, played his first game with the Calgary Flames on Sunday night. The team acquired him
<< Flames-Red Wings, Sums
Calgary 0 1 3-4Detroit 3 3 1-7First Period-1, Detroit, Zetterberg 25 (Williams, Cleary), 8:43. 2, Detroit, Datsyuk 17 (Holmstrom, Zetterberg), 12:44. 3, Detroit, Schneider 8 (Lilja, Hudler), 13:54. Penalties-Yelle, Cal (elbowing), 3:03;Lang, Det (ho
<< Forsberg meets with Snider; future still uncertain
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Peter Forsberg's future with the Philadelphia Flyers is still uncertain, even after a meeting Sunday with team chairman Ed Snider.Forsberg and Snider agreed to meet again to discuss the team captain's future with the franchise.For
Senators' Emery suspended 3 games for slashing >>
TORONTO (AP) -Ottawa goalie Ray Emery was suspended three games by the NHL on Monday for slashing Montreal forward Maxim Lapierre.Emery got a minor penalty on the play, which occurred midway through the second period of Ottawa's 5-3 win Saturday nig
Capitals re-sign enforcer Brashear >>
WASHINGTON (AP) -Enforcer Donald Brashear signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract extension with the Washington Capitals on Monday.The 35-year-old left wing joined the Capitals as a free agent last summer, adding toughness to team that is rebuildin
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VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) -All Peter Forsberg has to do is tell the Philadelphia Flyers that he wants to re-sign with them or ask to be dealt to a contender before the Feb. 27 trade deadline.So far, at least publicly, Forsberg has kept that decision to hi
Capitals G Kolzig out 3 weeks >>
WASHINGTON (AP) -Washington Capitals goaltender Olie Kolzig hurt his knee Monday and will miss at least three weeks.The veteran goaltender was injured during a drill at practice, a major blow to the Capitals' slim hopes of making a run at the playof
Huskers' Lucky hospitalized for undisclosed reason
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska running back Marlon Lucky was hospitalized Monday for undisclosed reasons after Lincoln police responded to a call at his residence.
The Nebraska athletic department said in a release Monday that Lucky was admitted Sunday night.
MySportsbook.com has the Cornhuskers listed at +2500 to win the BCS National Championship odds.
A nursing supervisor at the hospital said all questions about Lucky were being referred to the athletic department. The athletic department said there would be no further comment from the department or Lucky's family.
A Lincoln Police spokesman said officers responded to a call at Lucky's residence 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The spokesman said he didn't know Lucky's condition at the time he was taken to the hospital.
Lucky, from North Hollywood, Calif., started six games last season as a sophomore and was the team's second-leading rusher, with 728 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 383 yards. He averaged 19.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.
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In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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