02/11/2010 - 16:34
A Much Deserved Break
by
Evelyn Lau
Paul Pierce played through the pain on Wednesday night, gutting it out to try to give the Celtics one more win before the All-Star Break.
However, No. 34 and the Boston Celtics couldn’t escape the Big Easy with a victory, falling 93-85 to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday.
The Captain recorded 15 points and four assists while logging 34 minutes in the loss, but wasn't at his best because of the injury, as he told the Boston Herald:
"It’s definitely sore, not 100 percent, but hopefully over this weekend it can get better for the rest of the season," he said.
FIRST AT THE LINE
Despite defeat, Paul did make some Celtics history at the free throw line.
At the 6:12 mark of the opening quarter, the Captain became Boston’s all-time free throw attempts leader passing former C’s great, John Havlicek.
Havlicek previously held the record with 6,589 attempts at the charity stripe. Paul surpassed Havlicek's tally with his first free throw attempt, then he tried seven more on the night. He now sits alone with 6.596 attempts, of which he has converted 5,282.
The Truth has 88 more free throws to make before he can pass Havlicek in that department as well.
ALL-STAR BOUND
Even with the lingering soreness in his foot, Paul still plans on participating in the NBA All-Star festivities this weekend in Dallas.
No. 34 is looking forward to his eighth All-Star game as an opportunity to relax and enjoy the game before the Celts get ready for the stretch run, as he told the Boston Herald:
"I plan on playing in the All-Star Game," he said earlier in the day. "I don’t see a lot of wear and tear in participating in the weekend activities. I’ll probably play about 10 or 12 minutes in the game. I don’t see the 3-point contest as something that’s really going to hinder me."
The Truth is also scheduled to compete in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest on All-Star Saturday night. He hopes to gain some redemption from the last time he participated in the contest back in 2002.
"I have been practicing," he said. "I feel pretty good about it. I’ve had my chances (the practice). I couldn’t time myself because we don’t have enough racks, but pulling the ball off the rack, getting that motion down, helps."
Paul identified his problem from that 2002 contest, in which he finished tied for last, was his lack of rest the night prior, as he told the Boston Herald:
"Yeah, get some rest the night before," he said of his main lesson from 2002. "That was the problem at my first All-Star Game."
NEXT UP
Paul will compete in the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest on Saturday night. The Contest will be part of TNT's All-Star Saturday Night beginning at 8 p.m. EST.
Then on Sunday, The Truth will represent the Celtics in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. The All-Star Game tips off at 7 p.m. on the East Coast, Sunday night on TNT.
RELATED STORIES
Paul Pierce puts his All-Star foot to fire (Boston Herald, Feb. 11, 2010)
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=...
Pierce playing in pain (Boston Globe, Feb. 11, 2010)
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/02/11/pier...
Bad habits bug Celtics (Boston Globe, Feb. 11, 2010)
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/02/11/bad_...
