--The Celtics wouldn't mind avoiding the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs. The Celtics have beaten them three of four times, but they lost this week and see an improved bunch.
"I think Philly has come along," said Paul Pierce. "As the year's gone on they've gotten better obviously. With the play of Andre Miller, he really makes them go. They are learning one another. They are making a good run at the playoffs with the run they have made over the last month and a half. They will be a dangerous team in the playoffs. They are a team I guess you wouldn't expect in the beginning of the year, but lately they are making their playoff push and all of their guys are playing well." --On Monday, the Celtics invited season ticket holders to turn in their seats, which were then given to men and women from the Armed Services.
"It's awesome," said Doc Rivers. "I've been a big supporter of that. I think people get mixed up: whether you're for the war or against the war, we're for our servicemen. You know what I'm saying? And I think when you say we shouldn't be in the war, people sometimes think that means we're against our servicemen.
"We're not; we're so for them. And it's really nice. They've been in this war for way too long and we've got to just keep supporting them, doing whatever we can to bring a smile to all their faces. You know, it's amazing how bad their families are hurting right now, with the husbands and the wives over there fighting and not being able to earn two checks."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "My MVP is sitting next to me." -- Kevin Garnett, on the MVP chants he heard when he went to the free throw line.
