BOSTON - The post-Red Auerbach era began Wednesday night with a ceremony
honoring the late Celtics' icon - and a loss by the Boston team that has
plummeted from the heady days of his leader****p.
Despite several second-half comebacks, the Celtics couldn't overcome New
Orleans point guard Chris Paul's 20 points and 10 assists - or Peja
Stojakovic's two baskets in the final two minutes - as the Hornets won
91-87.
Auerbach, who had seen all 56 previous Celtics season openers, died
Saturday
of a heart attack near his Wa****ngton home at the age of 89. He had
planned
to attend.
In a pre-game video, fans saw him holding one of the 16 champion****p
trophies the Celtics won during his tenure - nine as a coach. But they
haven't won another since 1986. And they don't appear to be close despite
the influx the past four years of youth and athleticism.
The Hornets also added key components, picking up Stojakovic, Tyson
Chandler
and Bobby Jackson after fini****ng six games out of a playoffs spot last
season.
But Paul and David West, who had 18 points, remain their leaders. It was
West whose tip-in with 12 seconds remaining made it 91-85 and secured the
victory.
Paul Pierce, coming off his best season, led Boston with 29 points and 19
rebounds, but missed 8 of his 15 free throws, including four in the fourth
quarter. Wally Szczerbiak added 21 points and Al Jefferson had 13.
Trailing 85-80, the Celtics cut the deficit to 85-84 with 2:31 left on a
layup by Pierce and one free throw each by Szczerbiak and Jefferson. But
Stojakovic hit a driving layup with 1:34 remaining, then missed a free
throw
after he was fouled by Jefferson.
He followed with a 20-foot jumper before Pierce made one of two free
throws,
cutting the lead to 89-85 with 37 seconds remaining.
Paul then missed a shot from the top of the key. As West and Pierce
battled
for the rebound, West tipped it in.
Paul scored the Hornets' last 12 points of the third quarter as they
staved
off a Celtics comeback and took a 75-65 lead going into the fourth.
His seven assists in the first quarter had led the Hornets to a 26-16 lead
after one quarter. They stretched that to 54-41 at halftime when West
topped
all scorers with 12 points and Paul led all passers with 10 assists.
Pierce wore a white headband with the number 2 on it, symbolizing the
number
the Celtics had retired in Auerbach's honor. All the Celtics had black
shamrocks on their jerseys with the word "RED" in green on it, which they
plan to wear all season.
Notes:@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Bill Spooner pulled his right hamstring with 9:14 left in
the
second quarter and didn't return, leaving Bennie Adams and Bill Kennedy to
handle the game. ... Several fans chastised the Hornets for warming up
during a halftime ceremony featuring former Celtics Tommy Heinsohn, JoJo
White and M.L. Carr reminiscing about Auerbach. One shouted, "Stop
shooting
show some respect." Said another: "No wonder you don't have a city." The
players then stopped shooting until the discussion ended. ... Red Sox
slugger David Ortiz attended the game.
--
My only concern is should I hide my true identity? A costume maybe?
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