Boston needs a win to tie Nets
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., May 21 (UPI) -- The Boston Celtics, looking to regain the focus that evaded them on Sunday, try to draw even with the New Jersey Nets in Game Two of the NBA Eastern Conference finals Tuesday night at East Rutherford, N.J.
Jason Kidd was one of seven Nets to score in double figures as New Jersey went on to a 104-97 win in the series opener.
Boston dug itself a hole with poor defense that allowed the Nets to score 81 points through three quarters. In four straight victories over Detroit in the conference semifinals, the Celtics did not allow more than 81 points.
"It was like we didn't show up yet we were still in the game," said All-Star swingman Paul Pierce. "We still had our opportunities. We got away from our principles."
Pierce hurt his team at the foul line, where he made just 7-of-13 shots. In the fourth quarter, he was just 5-of-11, stalling a late rally by the Celtics. He finished with 27 points, his lowest total against New Jersey this season.
Antoine Walker also scored 27 for the Celtics, who shot 41 percent (34-of-83) and again resorted to the outside shot.
They launched 29 three-pointers, making 10, and scored just 20 points in the paint.
Despite the loss, the Celtics do not appear to be lacking for confidence. All they need to do is look back at the series against Detroit in the conference semifinals, when they struggled in a Game One loss before winning four straight games.
"We took their best punch," said forward Eric Williams of the Nets. "They ain't going to play a better game than that. New Jersey played a great game. When I looked at the box (score), I saw a lot of guys in double figures all the way down the bench."
Games Three and Four will be played in Boston on Saturday and Monday.
Back surgery for Dallas G Griffin
DALLAS, May 21 (UPI) -- Dallas Mavericks guard Adrian Griffin Tuesday had successful surgery to remove a herniated disc in his back, the team announced.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Scott Blumenthal and Mavericks team physician Dr. T.O. Souryal. The 27-year-old Griffin is expected to begin rehabilitation next week and be out of basketball-related activities for six weeks.
He averaged 7.2 points and 1.8 assists per contest in 58 games this season, including 34 starts. He averaged 5.0 points in four playoff games.
The former Seton Hall star also played two seasons with the Boston Celtics, and has averaged 5.7 points in 174 career games.
Hurricanes, Leafs resume series in Toronto
TORONTO, May 21 (UPI) -- The weary and injury-riddled Toronto Maple Leafs watched defenseman Niclas Wallin score his second overtime goal of the postseason at 13:42 to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 2-1 win on Sunday that tied the NHL Eastern Conference finals at one win apiece.
The series now shifts to Toronto for Game Three on Tuesday night, and the Leafs admit they missed an excellent opportunity to take
control of the series.
Toronto needed the full seven games to beat the New York Islanders and the Ottawa Senators in its first two playoff series. No NHL team that needed seven games in each of the first two rounds has gone on to win the Stanley Cup.
"We want to win the series, and whatever it takes, obviously we'll do that," said left wing Gary Roberts. "We're getting some healthy bodies back, so hopefully we'll get some fresh legs back in the lineup."
Third-seeded Carolina improved to 4-1 in overtime in this year's playoffs and made sure the fourth-seeded Maple Leafs cannot wrap up the series at home.
Coming off a 2-1 win in Game One, the Maple Leafs were fortified with the return of four injured players, including captain Mats Sundin and center Darcy Tucker.
Leafs Coach Pat Quinn is considering various ways to get the most out of Sundin and would not rule out breaking up the line of Alyn McCauley, Roberts and Jonas Hoglund.
"I think in this business, you don't have untouchable situations if something better can come of it," Quinn said.
Game Four is Thursday night in Toronto.
Vikings WR Carter retires; joins HBO Sports
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., May 21 (UPI) -- Cris Carter, the NFL's second all-time leading receiver with 1,093 catches, is ending his playing career. The Minnesota Vikings announced Tuesday on their web site that Carter has retired after 15 NFL seasons and has accepted an analyst position with HBO Sports.
The 36-year-old Carter caught 73 passes for 871 yards and six touchdowns last season, his 12th with the Vikings. He is third all time in receiving yards with 13,833 and second in touchdown receptions with 129.
Carter and Jerry Rice are the only two players in NFL history with 1,000 career receptions.
The unrestricted free agent expressed an interest in continuing his NFL career only if he was able to sign with a contending team. The Vikings are in a rebuilding stage after finishing 5-11 last season.
The St. Louis Rams appeared to be the frontrunner for Carter, but salary cap restrictions prevented them from making a
lucrative offer.
The Troy, Ohio native was a collegiate star at Ohio State before being chosen in the fourth round of the 1987 supplemental draft by Philadelphia. He spent three seasons with the Eagles before being claimed off waivers by the Vikings in 1990.
He made eight straight trips to the Pro Bowl from 1993-2000, and had 44 100-yard receiving games in his career, 42 of which came with Minnesota. He holds nearly every Vikings receiving record, including 110 total touchdowns.
Ravens re-sign DB Trapp
OWINGS MILLS, Md., May 21 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a one-year contract with veteran cornerback James Trapp.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Trapp, an unrestricted free agent, spent the last three seasons with the Ravens after playing with the Oakland Raiders from 1993-98. He had 31 tackles with an interception and a sack as well as 12 special teams tackles.
He was also the team's nickel back, and could compete for a starter's job this year.
"I'm always pressing forward," the 10-year told the Baltimore Sun. "Everybody wants to be a starter, but I'm going to do what's required of me. I'm not going to ruffle any feathers. I'm going to make it a smooth transition for everybody."
The 32-year-old Trapp is considered one of the league's fastest players, winning the NFL Fastest Man competition in 1995.
Rangers activate OF Everett
MINNEAPOLIS, May 21 (UPI) -- Veteran outfielder Carl Everett, who has endured a difficult first season with the Texas Rangers, Tuesday was activated from the 15-day disabled list.
Everett, who is expected to play in the opener of a two-game series with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 8 with a strained right calf muscle. He suffered the injury three days earlier while running to first base in a game at Cleveland.
The Rangers acquired the volatile Everett from the Boston Red Sox in the offseason for southpaw Darren Oliver, but he is batting just
.173 with five homers and 16 RBI in 28 games.
Everett is the second Texas outfielder to return from the disabled list in the past week. Two-time American League MVP Juan Gonzalez was activated on Friday.
To make room for Everett, the Rangers optioned outfielder Kevin Mench to Triple-A Oklahoma of the Pacific Coast League. Mench hit .267 with one homer and 10 RBI in 16 games for Texas.
Marlins put P Penny on DL
CINCINNATI, May 21 (UPI) -- The Florida Marlins Tuesday placed righthander Brad Penny on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, with right biceps inflammation.
Penny started at San Francisco on Saturday, but left after allowing six runs and seven hits in three innings of a 10-5 loss. He was examined by Dr. Dan Kanell in Florida on Monday.
The 23-year-old Penny is 3-3 with a 4.75 ERA in eight starts.
To take Penny's spot on the roster, lefthander Armando Almanza was activated from the 15-day disabled list. Almanza was bothered by tendinitis in his pitching elbow and has not pitched this year. He made six rehabilitation appearances at Single-A Jupiter and allowed one hit and three walks with six strikeouts in 6 2/3 scoreless innings.
Florida also signed infielder Homer Bush on Tuesday. Bush was released by the Toronto Blue Jays on May 10 after batting .231 with one home run and two RBI in 23 games. To make room for Bush on the 40-man roster, infielder Nate Rolison was designated for assignment.
Shortstop Alex Gonzalez joins Penny on the 15-day DL. Gonzalez dislocated his left shoulder Saturday at San Francisco and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. He is batting just .225 with two
homers and 18 RBI in 42 games.
Florida (23-21) is one game behind the New York Mets for the lead in the National League East and begins a three-game series at Cincinnati on Tuesday.
