The anatomy of a reunion

Last update: January 25, 2008 - 11:05 PM

SIX MINUTES LEADING INTO THE OPENING TIP

The Garden's supersized scoreboard displays a film montage chronicling Celtics' history, starting with grainy clips of Red Auerbach, Bob Cousy and Bill Russell and concluding with Larry Bird, a baby-faced Kevin McHale and finally dissolving into an image of Kevin Garnett fiercely pumping his fist.

TWO MINUTES BEFORE TAP

New Englander and former Celtics forward Ryan Gomes receives a warm ovation during pregame introductions and fans rise to greet Al Jefferson, left, when he is introduced next.

GAME TIME

Garnett claps rosin into the air just before the tip at one end of the floor, protegé Rashad McCants does likewise at the other end.

FIRST QUARTER, 10:50 REMAINING

Gomes and Jefferson score the game's first four points.

9:44 REMAINING

Garnett scores his first basket.

2.8 SECONDS REMAINING

Little-used Wolves guard Gerald Green, another former Celtic, enters the game, plays 12 first-half minutes and scores eight points by intermission, just two fewer than Garnett.

HALFTIME

Celtics score second quarter's final eight points to lead 50-47.

THIRD QUARTER, 9:47 REMAINING

Garnett and Jefferson, side by side on the free-throw lane while Kendrick Perkins shoots, jabber at each other enough that official Jack Nies calls a technical foul on each.

FOURTH QUARTER, 6:19 REMAINING

Celtics call timeout so Garnett, his face contorted with pain, his hand holding his strained abdomen, can go to the bench and then the locker room with his team trailing 75-69.

2:19 REMAINING

Garnett returns to Celtics' bench during a timeout and re-enters the game.

16.6 SECONDS REMAINING

Perkins' putback basket gives the Celtics an 87-86 lead that is preserved when Garnett swipes the ball from Sebastian Telfair as the final seconds on the clock tick away.

JERRY ZGODA