Daily Links - 2/2/09 (BSMW)

Daily Links from Boston Sports Media Watch (while FLCeltsFan is off for personal reasons).

On a busy sports Sunday, the Celtics played without Kevin Garnett, but still had enough to beat his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, 109-101 at the Garden. The ‘Wolves had come into this game red hot, but Paul Pierce submitted a vintage performance to lead the Celtics to the win.

Kevin Henkin on the BSMW Full Court Press has his rolling observations as the game played out.

Bill Doyle has Pierce’s 36 points enough to trump the 34 point performance from former teammate Al Jefferson. Scott Souza has a look at the win and glimpse we got of what might’ve been the Celtics future at the Garden, had the Garnett trade not happened. Paul Flannery has Pierce answering the call. Robert Lee has the shorthanded Celtics getting the job done. Frank Dell’Apa has Pierce returning to take-0ver-the-game mode.  Mark Murphy says that Garnett’s absence forced the Celtics to rethink their roles.

Tim Weisberg has a look at Patrick O’Bryant, noting that the big man may be running out of chances. He also looks at possible additions for the stretch run for the Celtics, including a name I hadn’t heard mentioned previously. Steve Bulpett has Paul Pierce find his old glory. Marc J. Spears has first round pick  J.R. Giddens getting a chance to at least dress for the game yesterday. Jessica Camerato has Kendrick Perkins saying that he’s ‘cool’ with the flagrant 2 that was called against him for a foul on Jason Maxiell in Detroit Friday night.

Lenny Megliola has Kevin McHale making himself at home on the ‘Wolves bench. Mike Fine had McHale and Jefferson getting through the growing pains. Jeff Howe notes that McHale always enjoys looking back at his glory days with the Celtics. Lee has former Providence star Ryan Gomes thriving in Minnesota. Julian Benbow has the Celtics coaches raving about the low post skills of Jefferson. Bulpett reveals that McHale went back to being a sort-of Celtic during the playoffs last season.

You can check all the other coverage over on CelticsLinks.com. 

Doyle’s notebook has more on the flu that kept Garnett out yesterday. Jim Fenton’s notebook has the Celtics extending their winning streak to 11 with the win. Lee’s notebook has more on the fine Perkins received for the foul in Detroit. Spears’ notebook has more on Garnett’s flu. Murphy’s notebook has more on the bedridden KG.