It's not about who we play, but about keeping up the tradition, about maintaining the streak.

They are the rare team that has three great players. Most teams have two - except Miami maybe has 2 1/2 with Shaq and Wade.

We played as soft as a team can be. They were tougher mentally, physically and there was no way we were going to win that game.

I don't know if it was vital [to get the win], but it was big. We needed the win because I look at the whole picture. We still have a lot of work to do, but it was nice that we just played better. We played solid basketball.

Paul was absolutely sensational tonight. I didn't realize they had 50 and 43. I knew they had a lot. I could sense that. I just didn't know it was that high. Pretty cool.

[Contrary to speculation, coach Doc Rivers says he didn't demand that the Celtics retain Blount.] The only thing I kept saying to Danny was, 'Assets, assets, assets,' ... When I talked with Mark, I liked what he told me. He kept talking about defense and, even though everyone told me he would not be back, he kept telling me that he wanted to be a Celtic. I told Danny and the owners, 'Here's a guy that wants to be in Boston.'