Paul averaged 21 points and four rebounds over the Celtics’ two weekend contests, but the Captain’s squad fell to just 3-3 since the All-Star break with a 105-95 loss to the Detroit Pistons Sunday afternoon in Boston.

ANOTHER ONE GETS AWAY
The Cs needed every second of the Truth’s 47-plus minute performance Sunday, but his 26 points weren’t enough to pull off a season sweep of the rival Pistons.

Paul finished 11-20 from the field, and his final basket put Boston up three with just over five minutes remaining. But the Pistons took control of the final frame outscoring the Celtics 19-6 from that point, giving No. 34 and his boys their first home loss against an Eastern Conference opponent this season.

“It was definitely a winnable game, we had the lead in the fourth,” Paul told the Boston Globe. “The guys we had out there in the stretch are guys that have been here. We have guys who have been here down the stretch who know how to win games the way we’re supposed to win the game.”

PAUL SITS DOWN WITH BOYHOOD IDOL
During halftime of the Celtics’ tilt with Detroit, ABC aired an interview in which Paul sat down with his idol, Magic Johnson.

Paul had this to say about his head coach, Doc Rivers:

“Coach Rivers, I don’t want to play for anybody else. If he goes, then I think I’m ready to retire. I mean, he’s a player’s coach. He understands the guys, he understands situations, and he’s been through struggles.”

He also spoke about the Lakers, and their newfound toughness since their lost to Paul’s Celtics in last year’s Finals.

“You look at them, how intense they are, and what’s happening is people got toughness misunderstood. It’s not you pushing people, you pulling people to the ground. It’s a mental part of the game where you get through the grind, grabbing rebounds, you’re defending at a high level.”

You can click here to view the full interview.

A DIFFERENT TRUTH
The Truth is known as one of the best in the game at getting to basket, and in turn getting to the free throw line by drawing contact around the rim. But the dislocated thumb he suffered in Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers hampered his ability to penetrate and caused him to attempt just 2 free throws Friday night. The rest of his 16 points against the Indiana Pacers coming from the perimeter.

While the injury didn’t prevent No. 34 from hitting at a 50% clip from the field, it did hinder his ability to get to the basket, a staple of his well-rounded game.

“I was really hesitant to get any contact going, for the simple fact that it came out twice last game,’’ he said of his thumb. “But it’s something I’m going to have to get over mentally.’‘

The 104-99 victory saw another new teammate make an impact for No. 34’s Celtics: new backup point guard Stephon Marbury contributed eight points in his first action with Boston.

After the game, Paul welcomed his newest running mate by complimenting his abilities in his post game interview.

“[Marbury] really looked good for no practicing and just coming in and Coach throwing him into the fire,” said Pierce. “It’s going to probably take a while for him to get his legs under him, but he looked really good for his first day out there. He’s a guy who can make plays. He’s a pretty good defender at the 1 and 2 and a guy who can knock down shots and get into the lane and find open people.”

NEXT UP
Paul and the Celtics travel to New Jersey to take on the Nets Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM Eastern Time.

RELATED STORIES
Pistons beat Celtics 105-95 in East final rematch (AP, March 1, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/games/20090301/DETBOS/recap.html
Loose ball (Boston Globe, March 2, 2009)
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/02/loos...
Celtics beat Pacers 104-99 in Marbury debut (AP, February 27, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/games/20090227/INDBOS/recap.html
Star Power (Boston Globe, February 28, 2009)
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/02/28/star...

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