Drilled team

Last-second Davis shot keeps Celtics' loss streak going

February 12, 2007|Shira Springer, Globe Staff

MINNEAPOLIS -- Sometimes Ricky Davis wonders what might have been if he remained with the Celtics. He believes Boston would be a better team today, certainly not a squad setting a franchise record with every loss and inching ever closer to the NBA record for consecutive defeats in a season (23 by Vancouver and Denver). Based on what transpired in the closing seconds last night, Davis would be right.

With 3.6 seconds remaining and the score tied, the Target Center stage was set for high drama. Following a shot-clock violation by the Celtics, the Timberwolves had one possession left to earn a win in regulation. Marko Jaric inbounded to Randy Foye. The rookie point guard drove a few steps, then saw Davis wide open in the right corner directly in front of the Celtics bench. Foye passed to Davis, who did not hesitate as he launched an 18-footer that went through with 0.2 seconds left and gave Minnesota a 109-107 win.

"I knew it was good when my guy [Paul Pierce] left me and went to Randy," said Davis, who scored 24 of his 28 points in the second half. "I thought, 'Just shoot, don't rush it.' "

Davis posed with his wrist cocked in midair. He remained that way until Mark Blount gleefully jumped on top of him. The pair of former Boston players half skipped and half ran what could best be described as a victory lap around a quarter of the court. The final possession for the Timberwolves showcased what could have been for the Celtics, for better or worse. The official celebration commenced moments later after the Celtics failed to take a final shot, making it one of the toughest defeats during the recent skid and extending Boston's record streak to 18.

"It's special when you get traded together with a guy like Mark," said Davis. "He feeds off me and I feed off him, and it was just a great feeling for us to beat 'em. He came over and gave me a big hug [after the winner] . . . It was a great feeling for me and Mark [not to let the Celtics end the streak]. Just great.

"It was very important for us, pride-wise at least."

Down the stretch, it remained an agonizingly close game. Re energized by Pierce, Boston hustled after loose balls and tried to make smart decisions on offense. The smartest one was giving the ball to Pierce, who despite straining a muscle around his left hip scored 13 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth quarter as he looked more like his old self in his second game back from a stress reaction in his left foot and an infected elbow.