Sports Redux: Pierce, Rondo, Thibs Bring It Home In Dallas

Last game before the All-Star break. Tough opponent on the road. Trailing by 15. Pack it in?

No way, says Paul Pierce. "This group is very competitive. We're going to fight." And they did, clawing their way back and over Dallas, on the strength of the Captain's 18 4th-quarter points (31 overall), a triple-double from Rajon Rondo (19/15(!)/14), and the coaching of Tom Thibodeau, who took over down the stretch after Doc Rivers got tossed. Kevin Garnett got whistled for a bunch of quick fouls against Dirk Nowitzki. Doc complained; Doc was sent away. "Doc knew we were flat. He was trying to get us going," reasoned Thibodeau afterwards.

So let's catch our breath and see where the C's are at heading into the break. They're 44-11, on pace to basically tie last year. They lead Cleveland by two games in the East, and somehow trail the Lakers in percentage points but lead them in the standings for best overall record. If the season ended now, they'd play Milwaukee in the first round, but spots #8-14 are pretty close together and everyone's in spittin' distance except for the Wizards.

Bill Simmons wrote his annual trade value rankings column, a must-read for fans of the NBA. Read the Rajon Rondo section; you might have to take a lap around the block like we did.

The Red Sox have almost full attendance from their pitching staff. Everyone says they feel great, so the big question at the moment is who's going to catch Tim Wakefield. Wake says he likes Josh Bard, but spent some time yesterday working with n00b George Kottaras. The Globe talks to Clay Buchholz, who's enthusiatic about putting last season's jaw-dropping inconsitency behind him and getting back to work.

Speaking of back to work, the Bruins hit New Jersey tonight, anxious to put this shaky week behind them and avenge the Devils' win in Boston a couple of weeks ago. It's the start of a five-game road trip, mostly against underachieving Southeastern teams.

Photo by Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press.