Celts school Sonics

  • By Eric D. Williams The News Tribune
  • Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:56pm
  • SportsSports

BOSTON — It was back to school night on Wednesday at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Class was in session, as the experienced Boston Celtics showed the Seattle SuperSonics how an elite team handles its business on a nightly basis in the NBA.

In a 111-82 manhandling the Celtics, holders of the NBA’s the best record at 51-12, raced out to a 20-point halftime lead and coasted in the second half, sending the Sonics home licking their wounds after being saddled with their sixth straight defeat.

Seattle has lost 10 of its past 11 games, and finished 1-6 on its longest road trip of the season. The Sonics will try and get back on a winning track on Friday against a team they know they can beat — the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Sonics already have defeated Minnesota three times this season.

“I just think it’s part of the learning process,” Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said about the rough stretch of games for his team. “We would like to be the people that dictate things by how hard we play defensively, and how well we play.”

The second half turned into a practice session for the Celtics, winners now of 11 straight, with Boston working on different sets and trying different player combinations in preparation for the league playoffs beginning in six weeks.

Boston also used the laugher as an opportunity to work in new additions P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell. A sold-out crowd of 18,624 — those that remained anyway — gave their team a standing ovation in the closing seconds as they finished off the Sonics.

Seattle (16-49) trailed 34-24 at the end of the first quarter. And Boston’s reserves, including Eddie House, Leon Powe, Tony Allen and Glen Davis, helped put the game away by turning up the defensive intensity and attacking the glass against the Sonics.

Seattle turned the ball over 22 times, resulting in 22 points for the Celtics.

The Celtics, who already have clinched a playoff berth, outscored the Sonics by 10 points again in the second quarter and led 64-44 at halftime.

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen had 18 points apiece for Boston. Paul Pierce, the team’s third All-Star, finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 assists, scoring all 14 of his points in the first half.

Seattle rookie Kevin Durant led the Sonics with 16 points in the loss. Johan Petro finished with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Earl Watson chipped in 11 points along with seven assists.

“I could see that they were searching,” Allen said about his former team. “They were trying to find something with the lineup rotations, to see if anybody had anything going.

“We all have been on the other side of the spectrum where you are trying to find your way through a loss, where you are playing against a team who has everything working.”

With 17 games remaining the road to the end of the season is a windy one. The Sonics face 13 teams that could finish in the playoffs, meaning the Sonics will have to play some solid basketball if they want to get some wins down the stretch.

“We’re going to be playing teams that are at the elite level,” Watson said. “It’s a good experience for us, because we’re about to see how teams prepare mentally for the playoffs. Just the focus and tenacious nature that they have is going to be key for us to pick up on because it’s something that you can’t duplicate unless you’re in that situation.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.