Rondo on the mark

The Celtics are 21-4 at home, 9-1 after a loss, 9-1 in the second of back-to-back games, and 14-0 against the Western Conference.

"[The Celtics] have one of the best special units," said Clippers forward Corey Maggette, who scored a game-high 33 points. "Just so many options. They played really well tonight."

Boston is 3-2 without star forward Kevin Garnett, who sat out his fifth straight game with an abdominal strain. Rivers said a decision will be made today on whether Garnett will attend tomorrow's game in Minneapolis, although he won't play.

Garnett has attended games in Orlando, Miami, and Cleveland during his absence from the lineup, but has stayed in the locker room. If Garnett does attend the game against the Timberwolves, Rivers said the only time he would be on the floor is if his former franchise plans to honor him. As of yesterday, the Timberwolves weren't expected to have anything extravagant planned for Garnett's return.

"The priority here is to focus on what's wrong with me and try to get it better," Garnett said. "I'm eager. It's hard for me to watch my guys out there playing without me."

Rondo entered last night averaging 18 points during Garnett's absence. Rivers has said of late that the second-year guard has been playing the best basketball of his career. Last night, Rondo made 10 of 13 shots, and added 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals in 29 minutes.

"I'm just trying to do what the system says," Rondo said. "I'm trying to stay within the system."

Earlier in the day, guard Sam Cassell said he was hoping to be bought out of his contract with the Clippers, which would allow him to sign with Boston. The 38-year-old added that he would have no problems playing behind Rondo.

But with 2:54 remaining in the second quarter, Cassell received a flagrant-2 foul for slapping Rondo hard on the head during a lay-in attempt, and was ejected. Rondo, who already had gauze in his right nostril, made 1 of 2 free throws to give Boston a 49-40 lead. Cassell, who wasn't available for comment afterward, left with 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds in 16 minutes.