Chandler, Knicks Expect Celtics To 'Play With Pride' In Emotional Return To Boston
BOSTON (CBSNewYork/AP) — The Celtics need a pick-me-up after losing the opening two games of their first-round playoff series against the Knicks. The city of Boston could use one, too, after a traumatic two weeks of bombings and manhunts and grieving.
The town and its team hope to help each other out, while the Knicks hope to finish the series in four games.
The Celtics return to the TD Garden on Friday night for their first game since the bombs at the Boston Marathon killed three people and wounded hundreds more. As with the Bruins and the Red Sox before them, the Celtics will pay tribute to the victims and the first-responders in a pregame ceremony — and then try to put it aside and play.
"I'm looking forward to tomorrow, being home, back in Beantown. Very much so," Kevin Garnett said. "We haven't been home since all the current events and everything. So, yes, we're anticipating it being very emotional, very inspiring, and we're looking forward to coming out and trying to get this Game 3."
Knicks center Tyson Chandler expects the Celtics to "play with pride" for Boston -- as they've been doing.
“If anybody knows struggle and tragedy, it’s the city of New York," Chandler said. “We understand very well what they’re going through. We expect them to play with pride for their city. They’ve been doing it. These games haven’t been easy. They’ve been no walk in the park. I expect the same thing in Boston.”
The Celtics were scheduled to play Indiana in Boston in their regular-season finale April 16, the day after the bombings at the marathon finish line. The game was canceled, and the Celtics began the playoffs in New York, where they went down 0-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Now they're back at the Garden, where they had a bigger home-court advantage during the regular season — 13 more wins in Boston than on the road — than any other playoff team in the Eastern Conference. As did their NHL and baseball counterparts, the players said they are eager to help the fans take their minds off of more serious matters.
And, if it provides them with a little boost, that's even better.
"Having our home fans behind us is going to be a big advantage for us," forward Jeff Green said. "We're just excited to be here. It's been a while since we've had a home game in front of our fans."
He added: “With the Bruins, Sox, and us, I think the fans look to us as an outlet as far as having us and trying to pass what happened."
Boston's last home game was April 10.
"It seems like a month," coach Doc Rivers said.
"The crowd always provides (a boost) — that's why they call it a home-court advantage. They always provide you with energy," he said. "There's no better crowd in the NBA than ours. There's no better crowd in sports than this city. They are actually really invested. ... Boston, when you're winning or losing, you still hear the people talking trash. And that's just the way they are, the way they're built. And we expect them to be very much that tomorrow."
NBA Commissioner David Stern and his appointed heir, deputy commissioner Adam Silver, will attend the game a day after the league levied a $25,000 fine on Rivers for criticizing the referees after Boston's 87-71 loss in Game 2.
Garnett picked up two quick fouls Tuesday and spent most of the game in foul trouble, playing only 24 minutes. Afterward, Rivers said some of the calls against Garnett were "horrendous." On Wednesday, he tried to backtrack from his comments and said he was just talking about how the fouls affected his team.
Stern said the league wanted to demonstrate its support, and he was ready for the reception he'll receive.
"After, I'm sure, a very moving ceremony, the first time a referee is perceived to have missed a call, the Boston fans will revert in a good way to form," he said. "And that's one of the beauties of sports."
That's what the Knicks are expecting, too.
"It's going to be hostile for us," Knicks swingman J.R. Smith said. "Boston's always — if you're the home team, it's a great place to play. If you're the away team, it's a nightmare. We've just got to keep our composure, play through everything."
The Knicks would go up 3-0 with a win -- which would give them a chance to close out the series this weekend in Boston.
“If that happens, I’ll be super duper happy and excited," said forward Carmelo Anthony. “I can’t lie. But I know that’s going to be tough. Especially going back to their place."
Rivers said Garnett will be limited in practice Thursday after injuring his hip late in Tuesday's game. Rivers is counting on Garnett to play, he said, adding that he didn't ask the training staff "because they may give you the answer you don't want to hear."
"That's my rule," he said. "I try not to ask."
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
