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Also leads team in interceptions with two.
BOSTON -- New Celtics coach Brad Stevens has a week to figure out his starting lineup before Boston opens the regular season and he may use every bit of that time. John Henry Johnson Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Boston (2-6) opens the regular season Oct. 30 at Toronto. "I wouldnt call any of our lineups definitive -- as definitive as Id like. But I think were moving in a good direction playing together," said Stevens, the former Butler coach who turned 37 on Tuesday. "Its going to be a day-by-day process. Thats the way its going to have to be with this group." Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass scored 16 points apiece and Vitor Faverani added 15 points and seven rebounds for Boston. Gerald Wallace had 14 points and five assists and Jeff Green scored 12 points for the Celtics. Tyshawn Taylor scored 15 points and Reggie Evans finished with 11 points and eight rebounds for the Nets (4-2). Regardless of the outcome of Wednesdays game, Boston sports fans werent going to be talking much about it on Thursday. With the Red Sox opening the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals just a few miles up the Charles River at Fenway Park, turnout was light for the Celtics final preseason game. And any fans who came to welcome back Pierce and Garnett were disappointed as the former Celtics greats joined many other Nets veterans in a night of rest. Pierce and Garnett should make their return to Boston when the Nets visit the Celtics on Jan. 26. Jason Terry, who also went to the Nets in the draft-night blockbuster trade, did play and finished with seven points and three assists in 24 minutes. "It was special just to see some of my fans that were courtside that I used to talk to and throw headbands and stuff to," he said. "They gave me a warm welcome and that was good." All-Star point guard Deron Williams dressed, but did not play because of a right ankle injury that has kept him out of every preseason game. The Nets close the exhibition season Friday at Miami. Jared Sullinger was sick and didnt play for Boston. And the players who did compete were almost a side note as Red Sox highlights periodically showed up on the scoreboard monitor and drew louder cheers than the basketball game, which was close throughout. Mirza Teletovic hit a 3-pointer to pull the Nets within 93-92 late in the fourth, but the Celtics scored the next six points and held on. The Nets opened the game on a 7-0 run and led by as many as 10 points in the first quarter. Brooklyn took a 30-21 lead on a free throw by Evans early in the second quarter, then Lee made a 3-pointer to open a Boston run and the Celtics outplayed the Nets the rest of the half. Boston closed the quarter on a 12-4 run and led 49-44. Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo missed the preseason while rehabilitating a torn ligament in his right knee. He said after the game that hes been fitted for his first brace and hopes to begin contact drills soon. He has not set a timetable for his return. "I hope I can play against the Raptors, but thats not likely," he said. "I know its getting stronger each week." Junior Seau Jersey . This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling. Sam Cunningham Jersey .Y. -- Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire will have less time to remain eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot under changes made Saturday.ARIZONA (6-1) at DALLAS (6-2)Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FoxOPENING LINE — Cowboys by 4RECORD VS. SPREAD — Cardinals 5-2, Cowboys 5-3SERIES RECORD — Cowboys lead 55-31-1LAST MEETING — Cardinals beat Cowboys 19-13, OT, Dec. 4, 2011LAST WEEK — Cardinals beat Eagles 24-20; Cowboys lost to Redskins 20-17, OTAP PRO32 RANKING — Cardinals No. 2, Cowboys No. 4CARDINALS OFFENSE — OVERALL (25), RUSH (28), PASS (15)CARDINALS Defence — OVERALL (24), RUSH (3), PASS (32)COWBOYS OFFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (1), PASS (16)COWBOYS Defence — OVERALL (14), RUSH (19), PASS (15)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Last time Cardinals had sole possession of best record in NFC this late in season was Week 11 in 1974, when they played in St. Louis and were in NFC East with Cowboys. It was only season in span of 19 that Dallas missed playoffs; St. Louis lost in divisional round to Minnesota. ... Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray has NFL record eight straight 100-yard rushing games to start season, and Cardinals havent allowed 100-yard rusher in 17 straight. ... Cardinals have won past three Dallas meetings, all on final play. Two have been in overtime. ... Bruce Arians (16-7) has more wins through 23 games than any coach in Cardinals franchise history ... Cardinals defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles was secondary coach in Dallas from 2005-07. ... Carson Palmer was 18th player in NFL history to throw two TDs of at least 75 yards in same game last week against Eagles. Hes first Cardinals QB with multiple TD passes in first four games of season. ... Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald had a career-long 80-yard TD against Eagles, and rookie John Brown had first career 100-yard receiving game with 119, including winning 75-yarder with 1:21 remaining. Monty Stickles Jersey. ... Fitzgerald has caught pass in 156 straight games, longest active streak in NFL. ... Cardinals K Chandler Catanzaro has NFL rookie record with 16 straight FGs to start season. Needs two to break record of 17 straight by any kicker set by Washingtons Kai Forbath in 2012. ... Cardinals CB Antonio Cromartie had two interceptions against Eagles and is only player in league with at least two each of past eight seasons. ... Cowboys QB Tony Romo, whose game status is in question with third back injury in 18 months, has 928 yards passing with six touchdowns and no interceptions in three starts against Cardinals, all losses. ... Murray had third career game with at least 200 scrimmage yards against Redskins (141 rushing, 80 receiving). ... With 11 TDs receiving, WR Terrance Williams is third in Dallas franchise history in first two seasons behind Bob Hayes (25, 1965-66) and teammate Dez Bryant (15, 2010-11). ... DT Henry Melton had two sacks against Redskins, third career game with at least two. Cowboys entered game with seven sacks and had season-high three. ... With Dallas LB Justin Durants season-ending arm muscle injury, LB Rolando McClain now leading tackler with 57. Also leads team in interceptions with two. ... Second-year Dallas S J.J. Wilcox had first NFL interception and career-high seven tackles against Redskins.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '
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Activity: May 25 '20
