Boston Celtics Team Report - March 4

(Basketball News) - The Atlantic Division-leading Boston Celtics shoot for their fourth consecutive win tonight, when they host the expansion Charlotte Bobcats at the newly named TD Banknorth Garden.

TD Banknorth and the arena’s owner, Delaware North Cos., have come to an agreement to change the name from the FleetCenter to TD Banknorth Garden. Prior to being named the FleetCenter, the arena was named the Boston Garden.

Boston continued its hot streak with a 104-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Ricky Davis and Paul Pierce each scored 29 points to lead the Celtics to the win.

Pierce’s four-point play with 29.7 seconds remaining in the first quarter was the first by a Celtics player since Pierce accomplished the feat at Phoenix on March 15, 2001. It was also the first at the FleetCenter since January 23, 2001, also by Pierce.

Antoine Walker recorded 16 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in his return to Boston, which has won nine of its last 13 contests. The trio sparked two different fourth-quarter runs, as the Celtics won for the sixth time in seven tries at home.

Celtics rookie guard Tony Allen missed his second straight game with a mild right ankle sprain. Allen isn’t expected to be back until next week.

The Celtics re-signed point guard Gary Payton Friday morning and he’s expected to be in uniform for tonight’s game. Payton was dealt to Atlanta in the Walker deal, but negotiated a buyout from the team.

Boston, which owns a 2 1/2-game lead over Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division, has won two straight, six of seven and 10 of its last 13 home tilts. The Celtics are in the midst of a six-game homestand.

Boston has won both of the meetings between these teams this season. The Celtics have won the pair of contests by an average of 11 points.

The Celtics will have Saturday off before hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday evening. Boston will remain at home to face Atlanta next Wednesday night.