celtics

The Celtics try to repeat. The Lakers try to get back. Ron Artest and Elton Brand try to fit in. Mike Kahn runs down the early storylines.

The Celtics have their rings. But to defend the title they must stay hungry, says Ian Thomsen. Boston delivered in the season opener, dumping the Cavs 90-85.

The Celtics were the NBA's best from start to finish last season. Has anything changed? Check out our preseason power rankings.

The Celtics could fail to defend their championship, but Randy Hill says it won't be because they're resting on their laurels.

Celtics star Paul Pierce says there's an excellent chance he'll play in Game 2 of the NBA finals Sunday despite an injured knee.

Pierce said Friday his knee was stiff and swollen and he will not practice over the next two days to get treatment.

The 10-year veteran described his injury as a sharp pain.

Long after practice ended, Ray Allen was still on the court firing up jumpers. He was even making most of them.

That overtime work Monday showed that, like his Celtics teammates, he had plenty of energy left after two intense seven-game series.

And the usually smooth shooter was regaining his rhythm. Whether the Pistons still have theirs after a six-day layoff will become evident in Tuesday night's...

Tracy McGrady bent over exhausted at midcourt after the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to 22 games by beating the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.

There's no time to rest, however. The Rockets host Boston, the NBA's best team, on Tuesday. "It's going to be a challenge, it's going to be a tough game for us," McGrady said.