CELTICS LOOK TO STAY HOT FOLLOWING MELO / KG DRAMA

The Celtics improved their record to 17-17 with a huge victory at MSG Monday by knocking off MVP candidate Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks. This win came with plenty of drama which has had the NBA community buzzing all week. Even without suspended point guard Rajon Rondo, the C's had one of their best showings of the season with Monday's chippy victory. However, the Rondo story got lost in the fallout of the incident involving Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony, which has been a trending topic in the NBA this week, and has now given rise to an investigation by David Stern and the NBA.

While clashing on the court under the bright lights of MSG, Kevin Garnett was dishing out trash talk to Carmelo Anthony in his traditional manner. KG made a statement, comparing Carmelo's wife, and former MTV host Lala, to a box of Honey Nut Cheerios. Melo responded by looking for Garnett in the locker room area after the game to confront the big ticket on his comments. Anthony then waited for KG at the Celtics team bus until Coach Mike Woodson and NBA officials removed Melo. Garnett and Anthony reportedly spoke on the phone on Tuesday and squashed the issue; however the NBA is still investigating, following the public fallout this week. Regardless of the tension between this two future Hall of Famers, the Celtics vs. Knicks matchup looks like it has been reignited, and should be a lot of fun to watch for the rest of the season.

The Celtics have been playing their best basketball of the season with their first three game winning streak versus playoff contenders Indiana, Atlanta, and the second place Knicks. Boston has improved its play with the return of third year guard Avery Bradley. Since Bradley's return the Celtics have improved the defense dramatically. Bradley in many ways reminds me of the role Bruce Bowen played for the Spurs for years. His play seems to take the Celtics to a higher level, and if Boston has any hopes of making a playoff run this season, it may rest on the surgically repaired shoulders of Avery Bradley.

- Joe Passarrelli

---