Tim Duncan and the city of Boston have had an interesting relationship over the years. It looked like the big guy would be coming here as a reward for the dismal 1997 Celtics season; Rick Pitino [make evil eye sign, spit on ground] even took the C's coaching job assuming that he'd get to coach Tim. As we all know, the Spurs' tank-job paid off, Duncan went to San Antonio, and Pitino stayed. Just to rub salt in the wounds, Duncan and the Spurs came to Boston every year, and beat the Celtics here every year.

Until yesterday. Without KG again, and without Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics dug deep and continued their great season with a tough 98-90 win over the Spurs. Glen Davis more than held his own against The Big Fundamental, while Pierce carried the scoring load and Rondo notched double figures in assists and rebounds. They even played good defense on the reprehensible Manu Ginobili, making sure that his desperate and transparent flops weren't called fouls and making him miss shots in the closing seconds that could have meant trouble.

The win moves the C's to 16-0 against the West, with a five-game trip looming after the All-Star break, including their first look at Phoenix (now with 100% more Shaq goodness). ESPN's John Hollinger is fired up about the way the team's carried on without Garnett.

The rest of the local scene is quiet. The Bruins are off till tomorrow, the truck is probably in South Carolina by now, and Roger Clemens will try not to Hulk out while testifying before Congress.

Photo by Michael Dwyer/AP.