Boston Celtics lead NBA in technicals

The Boston Celtics (17-2) nudged ahead of the Lakers (14-2) for the best record in the young NBA season after the purple and gold blew a 16-point lead while losing to Indiana Tuesday night.

But in the technical fouls race, there's no contest -- the Celtics have amassed a whopping 39 technicals  in their 19 games, the most of any NBA club. In the Celtics' last game, a 107-88 win over Orlando in Boston on Monday, the Celtics got hit with five T's -- including 39-year-old point guard Sam Cassell, who was on the bench but was ejected, a bit of ignominy for someone who hasn't played a minute this season. Celtics center Kendrick Perkins got his ninth technical in that game, the most on the team.

Boston Coach Doc Rivers said: "We're an emotional team, that's part of our makeup. We can't get it to the point where we're getting techs, but you can't legislate guys having energy and fun with each other."

-- Barry Stavro

Photo: Boston Celtics guard Paul Pierce drives to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Tony Battie in their game in Boston Monday. The Celtics picked up five technical fouls in their win. Credit: Charles Krupa / Associated Press