Paul averaged 28 points and 6 rebounds over the weekend to help extend the Celtics' winning streak to 11 games, with victories over the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves.

CLARK KENT RETURNS
On a night where the Celtics were without star forward Kevin Garnett due to illness, Paul put his teammates on his back, carrying them to a hard-fought 109-101 victory over the Timberwolves Sunday in Boston.

The Truth provided a glimpse of his incredible evolution from pure scorer to a player who can be whatever his team needs him to be, night in and night out. With KG out of the lineup, it was clear a special performance was needed from No. 34, and he raised his game to the tune of a game-high 36 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

“I just try to give the game what it needs,” Paul told the Associated Press after the win. “Today, I thought it needed my scoring.'‘

He asserted himself from the opening whistle by connecting on his first four shots, and his nine first quarter points helped the Cs build a five-point lead after one.

“I wanted to come out a little more aggressive,” Paul told the Boston Globe. “Especially attacking the rim, and try and get some points in the paint, knowing the big fella wasn't there and we were probably going to need a little more scoring.”

His six points and three assists in the second set the tone for a potent offensive attack, the Celtics' 62 points at the break helping them establish an 18-point cushion.

The Wolves did their best to get back in the game, but as he's done all season, the Truth seemingly squashed any hopes of a comeback, dropping 14 points in the third quarter and keeping the Celtics' lead at 14.

But Minnesota stormed back, cutting the lead to five halfway through the fourth. That's when No. 34 drove the final stake into the Wolves' hearts, scoring his team's next eight points and putting the game on ice. His fadeaway jumper with 2:24 remaining gave his team the eight-point lead they'd hold until the final whistle, extending their winning streak to 11 games.

“I thought it was necessary,” Paul told the Boston Herald of his scintillating 13-24 performance. “I was just picking up a share of the load without Kevin. That was my mind-set going into the game, to just be a lot more aggressive. I tried to attack the rim. A lot of times when Kevin is out there we're going to play through him. But when he's not out there, a lot of our offense goes through me and Ray.”

His head coach, Doc Rivers, also offered up praise of his captain:

“He can almost sense when we need a bucket or when he needs to take over games. Clearly, you have to have the ability to do that. I think a lot of guys think that; very few can do it. And Paul does a great job.'‘

PUTTING THE CLAMPS DOWN
Paul's 20 points, five rebounds and lockdown defense helped the Celtics win their tenth straight contest Friday night against Eastern Conference foe Detroit Pistons in Motown.

No. 34 hit the only shot he took in the first quarter, but his four assists helped Boston jump out to a seven-point lead. Ever the worthy adversary, the Pistons stormed back in the second despite nine points from Paul, cutting the deficit to just a bucket heading into halftime.

He continued his steady scoring in the third notching six more points, with his driving layup at the end of the frame pushing the Celtics' lead to six. The game had been played with a palpable tension from the opening tip, a playoff atmosphere that always surrounds these two premier clubs. Emotions came to a head with 5:56 remaining in the fourth, when Celtics center Kendrick Perkins was ejected following a flagrant foul.

“That sparked our ball club, when we saw Perk leaving the game,” Paul told the Boston Globe. “That's part of a physical game; he never had any intention of hurting the guy. You see that every other day in the NBA. We stood our ground for the most part and put the game away.”

Paul played the role of facilitator as the Celtics put the Pistons away, and his head coach Doc Rivers commented on his precision passing after the victory.

“I thought Paul Pierce down the stretch, with two minutes left, won it with his passing. He knew they were going to help [defensively] and he sucked them in and he kept finding guys.”

NEXT UP
Paul and the Celtics travel to Philadelphia to take on Elton Brand and the 76ers Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

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