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Friday, Jan. 26 7:30pm ET
Walker, Celtics ruin Kidd's return

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

BOSTON (AP) -- Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce gave Boston Celtics' fans plenty to cheer. Jason Kidd gave them plenty to boo.

Antoine Walker, Clifford Robinson
Antoine Walker, right, is stopped temporarily by Suns forward Cliff Robinson.

Walker had 29 points and 13 rebounds and Pierce scored 28 as the Celtics ruined Kidd's return from a four-game absence by beating the Phoenix Suns 99-83 Friday night.

Kidd, charged last week with domestic violence assault, a misdemeanor, against his wife, was booed nearly every time he touched the ball. The fans cheered him for the first time when he missed two free throws early in the second quarter.

"That's what they're supposed to do, express themselves and get behind the home team," said Kidd, who didn't start and struggled after entering the game with 4:14 left in the first quarter. "They expressed themselves every time I touched the ball, but it didn't affect me."

Kidd finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes, but the Suns had a tough time against Boston's improved defense since the resignation of coach Rick Pitino.

Boston is 5-4 under interim coach Jim O'Brien and 4-2 in its last six games.

"We're surrounding Antoine and Paul with the best defensive unit that's not in foul trouble and that has served us well," O'Brien said.

The Celtics had 11 steals and six blocks, both above their average, and held the Suns to 3-for-18 shooting in the third quarter.

Phoenix, 1-4 in its last five games, was led by Cliff Robinson with 22 points and Shawn Marion with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Boston outscored Phoenix 27-12 in the third quarter to take a 72-56 lead. The closest the Suns came after that was 87-80 on Kidd's layup with 2:58 left.

"The fourth quarter, when they were making their run, guys settled down," Pierce said. "That's where the mental toughness comes in."

A tip-in in traffic by Eric Williams stopped the Suns' momentum and gave Boston an 89-80 lead. The Celtics outscored them 10-3 after that.

"We came out fairly flat and couldn't get anything going offensively," Phoenix coach Scott Skiles said. "Walker got it down low too many times and got easy layups."

Boston took control midway through the third quarter as Walker's 9-foot jumper began a 12-0 run that made the score 66-53 with 2:20 left in the period.

Walker came back from a 3-for-18 shooting night in an 83-82 win over Atlanta to hit 10-of-18 shots.

"We've got to let defense be our staple," he said. "We did the job defensively to win the game."

Phoenix went nearly seven minutes without a field goal until Kidd connected with 32 seconds to go in the third quarter.

"It felt good to get back," he said. "I was a little rusty."

The Celtics took their biggest lead, 74-56, on Pierce's 18-footer opening the fourth quarter. Then Phoenix made a brief run with six consecutive points, three each by Kidd and Tony Delk.

The Suns made another surge as Delk's 3-pointer began a 13-4 run. Rodney Rogers and Robinson also hit 3-pointers, cutting Boston's lead to 87-80. But Phoenix came no closer.

Game notes
Rookie center Jake Tsaklidis, Phoenix's first-round pick, started his fourth straight game after coming off the bench in his other 17 games. ... Boston guard Kenny Anderson suited up for the first time in seven games but didn't play as he continued to recover from a sprained right ankle. ... The Suns had 10 players in uniform after trading Corie Blount, Paul McPherson and Ruben Garces to Golden State for Vinny Del Negro. Garces was on the injured list and Del Negro did not report in time for the game. ... The teams split five of their last six season series with each time winning once a season. They meet later this year in Phoenix.
ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard

Phoenix Clubhouse

Boston Clubhouse


Kidd on his return: 'I needed to get back'

Hughes: Suns, Kidd smartly handle situation

Suns acquire Del Negro for backcourt depth


RECAPS
Philadelphia 105
Detroit 89

Washington 106
Atlanta 99

Boston 99
Phoenix 83

Houston 106
Vancouver 89

Seattle 107
Golden State 105

LA Lakers 113
New Jersey 101

FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT

Antoine Walker Official Site


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