The Boston Celtics won over Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night with 104-97, becoming the first NBA team to get its 40th win.  This is despite the absence of injured players Kevin Garnett, who had abdominal strain, and Kendrick Perkins, who strained his left shoulder.  Boston, however, does not get into a big celebration — yet.  Having finished last season with a record of 24-58, the team is saving its celebrations for later.

Coach Doc Rivers stressed that they are not looking at numbers but are grabbing the opportunity to get better each time as they prepare for the playoffs.  As for their 40 wins, Paul Pierce comments that it shows the team is headed the right way.  He says that now the team is building good habits.  Paul Pierce scored 28 points and had 12 rebounds.  Ray Allen scored 23 points while Leon Powe scored 16 points and had 9 rebounds.  Pierce also said that the absence of Garnett and Perkins is not an excuse for them not to win, and they would have to hold it out until the two could play again.

For the Pacers, Danny Granger gave 18 points, 5 blocks, and 10 rebounds, and Shawne Williams gave the team 14 points.  Indiana also played without their starters, Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley, who were both injured. 

Boston Celtics were in serious competition for a lottery pick and were what appeared to be light years away from putting a competitive team on the floor several months ago. The Celtics are focused and are playing with a since of urgency. ticket sales went through the roof but I don’t think that anyone predicted the Celtics to have 29 wins and 3 losses which just happens to be the best record in the league when the trades were made in the off season there was immediate excitement.

Paul Pierce had nineteen points and twelve assists. Kevin Garnett scored twenty-two points and the Celtics broke open a truly tight game in the 4th quarter to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 113-103 yesterday. Ray Allen scored twelve points for the Celtics (15-2), but it was James Posey and Eddie House who sank the big three-pointers that let the NBA-best Celtics remain undefeated in their division.