Celtics' guard Ray Allen is fine with the fact that he was not named as a reserve on the Eastern Conference All-Star team even though coach Doc Rivers was upset.

"We were excited about potentially four guys making it," Allen said. "And then Kendrick (Perkins) was getting consideration, as well. So I thought I had a great shot, but obviously I didn't make it, and there's not much I can do about it.

"I've always said that that was one of the truest forms of being accepted into the All-Star Game was when the coaches vote. They just didn't feel I was good enough, so what can you do?"

Rivers, who was upset on Thursday night, finally elaborated.

"Why I was disappointed," Rivers said, "is that it's the coaches that vote for that, and every time I see a coach they say, 'Man, I love how you have your guys sacrificing for the team.' That's what we want all our players to do, and then when it's time to vote they go by numbers. So that was disappointing."

The Celtics were hoping to have four All-Stars and figured they'd have at least three, but just two members of the defending-champions are headed to Phoenix.

Paul Pierce was named as a reserve on Thursday night, meaning he'll join Kevin Garnett, who was voted in as a starter by the fans, on the Eastern squad.

Boston was hoping Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo would make the team, and the "snub" of Allen has left coach Doc Rivers upset.

"No comment. Very disappointed," Rivers told the Boston Globe via text message.

There were twelve games on the schedule in the NBA on Wednesday night. Oklahoma City's overtime win, Chicago's defensive third quarter, and Toronto's thrilling win over New Jersey highlighted the night.

- Indiana 107, Milwaukee 99

Team FIC Differential: Pacers +11.8, Bucks -11.8

Even without Danny Granger, the Pacers (18-28) were able to knock off the Bucks (22-27) at Conseco Fieldhouse. T.J. Ford led with 34 points; Troy Murphy posted 11 points and 13 rebounds; and Rasho Nesterovic added 14 points and 5 boards off the bench. Indiana shot 51% and outrebounded Milwaukee by eleven. Charlie Villanueva led with 28 points and 8 rebounds; Richard Jefferson tallied 19 points on 5-for-13 shooting; and Luc Mbah a Moute turned in 10 points and 5 boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

T.J. Ford, Indiana ? 15.0

Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee ? 13.6

Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee ? 11.2

Jeff Foster, Indiana ? 9.0

- Boston 119, Sacramento 100

Team FIC Differential: Celtics +48.1, Kings -48.1

The Kings (10-37) led by two after the first quarter, but the Celtics (38-9) dominated the remainder of the game to record another win. Eddie House scored 28 points on 10-for-13 shooting; Rajon Rondo tallied 24 points and 9 assists; and Kevin Garnett added 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 dimes. Boston hit 55% of their shots and outrebounded Sacramento by seven. Jason Thompson had 21 points and 11 rebounds; John Salmons posted 22 points and 5 assists; and Brad Miller contributed 11 points and 5 boards for the Kings.

Game FIC Scores

Eddie House, Boston ? 21.5

Rajon Rondo, Boston ? 19.9

Jason Thompson, Sacramento ? 18.9

John Salmons, Sacramento ? 17.3

- Miami 93, Washington 71

Team FIC Differential: Heat +54.6, Wizards -54.6

The Heat (25-19) outscored the Wizards (9-36) in the last three quarters of the game to record a victory on Wednesday night. Dwyane Wade starred with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists; Michael Beasley posted 16 points and 7 boards; and Mario Chalmers added 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 dimes in the win. Both teams shot under 40%, but Miami outrebounded Washington by seven and forced 18 turnovers. Antawn Jamison had 21 points and 12 rebounds; Caron Butler tallied 18 points, 6 assists, and 5 boards; and Darius Songaila scored 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting.

Game FIC Scores

Dwyane Wade, Miami ? 18.8

Mario Chalmers, Miami ? 15.2

Antawn Jamison, Washington ? 11.8

Caron Butler, Washington ? 9.2

- Toronto 107, New Jersey 106

Team FIC Differential: Raptors +7.7, Nets -7.7

The Raptors (19-28) held the Nets (20-26) from scoring on their final possession to notch an important road win. Anthony Parker led with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists; Jose Calderon tallied 17 points and 11 dimes; and Chris Bosh added 18 points and 6 boards. Toronto shot 55% from the floor while New Jersey turned the ball over just nine times. Vince Carter had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists; Devin Harris posted 25 points and 10 dimes; and rookie Brook Lopez contributed 14 points and 4 boards in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Jose Calderon, Toronto ? 22.2

Devin Harris, New Jersey ? 21.5

Vince Carter, New Jersey ? 21.2

Anthony Parker, Toronto ? 17.0

- New York 112, Atlanta 104

Team FIC Differential: Knicks +7.2, Hawks -7.2

The Knicks (20-25) used a strong run down the stretch to beat the Hawks (26-19) in a tight game at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. David Lee starred with 17 points and 16 rebounds; Chris Duhon posted 16 points and 11 assists; and Nate Robinson scored 24 points off the bench. New York made 50% of their shots and outrebounded Atlanta by fourteen. Marvin Williams had 28 points and 7 rebounds; Josh Smith tallied 26 points and 12 boards; and Ronald Murray scored 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting for the Hawks.

Game FIC Scores

Marvin Williams, Atlanta ? 22.2

Josh Smith, Atlanta ? 20.5

Nate Robinson, New York ? 16.4

Chris Duhon, New York ? 14.8

- New Orleans 94, Denver 81

Team FIC Differential: Hornets +23.6, Nuggets -23.6

The Hornets (28-14) outscored the Nuggets (30-16) by ten in the fourth quarter to run away with what was a close contest. Peja Stojakovic had 26 points and 5 rebounds; Chris Paul tallied 12 points and 10 assists; and Devin Brown added 18 points in a reserve role. New Orleans attempted nine more foul shots and forced Denver to turn the ball over eighteen times. Kenyon Martin led with 22 points and 6 rebounds; J.R. Smith posted 20 points, 6 boards, and 5 assists; and Chauncey Billups struggled through a 4-for-14 shooting performance to notch 12 points in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans ? 18.9

Kenyon Martin, Denver ? 15.4

Devin Brown, New Orleans ? 12.4

J.R Smith, Denver ? 9.5

- Detroit 98, Minnesota 89

Team FIC Differential: Pistons +17.2, Timberwolves -17.2

The Pistons (25-19) used a very strong fourth quarter to avoid an upset loss to the Timberwolves (16-28) at the Target Center. Rasheed Wallace had 25 points and 10 rebounds; Antonio McDyess posted 14 points and 10 boards; and Allen Iverson went 5-for-15 from the field to post 19 points. Both teams shot 48% on the night, but Detroit took fourteen more free throws and tremendous care of the ball. Al Jefferson led with 24 points and 6 rebounds; Kevin Love tallied 17 points and 10 boards; and Randy Foye turned in 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Wolves.

Game FIC Scores

Rasheed Wallace, Detroit ? 25.0

Kevin Love, Minnesota ? 16.9

Tayshaun Prince, Detroit ? 11.8

Randy Foye, Minnesota ? 10.8

- Oklahoma City 114, Memphis 102 (OT)

Team FIC Differential: Thunder +31.8, Heat -31.8

The Thunder (11-35) outscored the Grizzlies (11-34) by a score of 14-2 in overtime at the Ford Center to add to their win total. Kevin Durant starred with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists; Jeff Green tallied 23 points and 9 boards; and Russell Westbrook contributed 16 points and 5 dimes. Oklahoma City shot 51% and outrebounded Memphis by nine. Rudy Gay had 25 points and 8 rebounds; Mike Conley posted 15 points, 9 assists, and 5 boards; and O.J. Mayo added 17 points and 5 rebounds in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City ? 27.3

Jeff Green, Oklahoma City ? 19.1

Mike Conley, Memphis ? 15.0

Marc Gasol, Memphis ? 12.6

- Philadelphia 95, Houston 93

Team FIC Differential: 76ers +12.6, Rockets ? 12.6

The 76ers (22-22) held off the Rockets (28-19) in the final moments to preserve an impressive fourth quarter comeback. Andre Iguodala scored 20 points; Samuel Dalembert posted 6 points, 13 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals; and Louis Williams contributed 17 points and 6 boards in the win. Philadelphia outrebounded Houston by eight to overcome 1-for-12 shooting from three-point land. Tracy McGrady led the Rockets with 24 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds; Luis Scola tallied 18 points and 10 boards; and Yao Ming added 13 points and 9 rebounds in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Luis Scola, Houston ? 16.5

Elton Brand, Philadelphia ? 16.0

Tracy McGrady, Houston ? 15.9

Andre Miller, Philadelphia ? 14.2

- Dallas 117, Golden State 93

Team FIC Differential: Mavericks +41.7, Warriors -41.7

The game was close after the first quarter, but the Mavericks (26-19) used a 38-22 advantage in the second period to defeat the Warriors (14-32). Jason Terry scored 22 points on 7-for-10 shooting; Dirk Nowitzki tallied 20 points and 4 rebounds; and Erick Dampier turned in 10 points, 11 boards, and 2 rejections in the win. Dallas limited Golden State to 38% shooting and outrebounded the Warriors by fifteen. Stephen Jackson led with 25 points and 5 rebounds; Andris Biedrins posted 4 points and 11 boards; and Corey Maggette continued to thrive as a sixth man with 21 points and 4 rebounds.

Game FIC Scores

Erick Dampier, Dallas ? 19.0

Stephen Jackson, Golden State ? 15.0

Brandon Bass, Dallas ? 14.8

Corey Maggette, Golden State ? 12.5

- Portland 88, Charlotte 74

Team FIC Differential: Blazers +34.7, Bobcats -34.7

The Blazers (28-17) built a sizable lead in the first quarter against the Bobcats (19-27) and cruised to a win. LaMarcus Aldridge starred with 25 points and 9 rebounds; Greg Oden posted 14 points, 14 boards, and 3 blocks; and Brandon Roy scored 17 points. Portland outrebounded Charlotte by nineteen and attempted ten more foul shots than the visiting at the Rose Garden. Emeka Okafor had 18 points and 5 rebounds; Raymond Felton tallied 7 points, 8 assists, and 5 boards; and Raja Bell contributed 16 points and 4 rebounds in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland ? 19.4

Greg Oden, Portland ? 16.5

Emeka Okafor, Charlotte ? 10.0

Raja Bell, Charlotte ? 9.0

- Chicago 95, L.A. Clippers 75

Team FIC Differential: Bulls +42.8, Clippers -42.8

The Bulls (19-27) held the Clippers (10-35) to just 9 points in the third quarter on their way to a road win at STAPLES Center. Luol Deng led with 23 points and 9 rebounds; Derrick Rose tallied 21 points and 6 assists; and Tyrus Thomas added 16 points and 10 boards. Chicago held Los Angeles to 36% shooting and outrebounded the home team by nineteen. Eric Gordon had 19 points, and 7 assists; Al Thornton posted 10 points and 6 rebounds; and Marcus Camby turned in 6 points and 6 boards in limited minutes.

Game FIC Scores

Luol Deng, Chicago ? 22.6

Derrick Rose, Chicago ? 16.0

Fred Jones, Los Angeles ? 14.0

Eric Gordon, Los Angeles ? 9.6

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.?
Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

Kobe Bryant has the most popular jersey in the NBA, moving past Kevin Garnett to regain the No. 1 spot on the NBA?s list. With the Western Conference best record, the Lakers top the list of Most Popular NBA Team Merchandise. The rankings are based on sales at the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com since the start of the 2008-09 NBA season through January 2009.  

Garnett drops one spot to No. 2 while the Cleveland Cavaliers? LeBron James holds on to the No. 3 spot on the list. The New Orleans Hornets? Chris Paul and Detroit Pistons? Allen Iverson round out the Top 5 at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively. New York Knicks? David Lee enters the list for the first time at No. 14. Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers moved to No. 6, up from No. 15 last year.

December was the best sales month in history for both the NBA Store and NBAStore.com, with combined sales up 10 percent over the same time period last year.

Top 15 Players

Kobe Bryant ? Los Angeles Lakers
         
Kevin Garnett ? Boston Celtics
               
LeBron James ? Cleveland Cavaliers
     
Chris Paul ? New Orleans Hornets
   
Allen Iverson ? Detroit Pistons
         
Pau Gasol ? Los Angeles Lakers
         
Paul Pierce ? Boston Celtics
               
Dwyane Wade ? Miami Heat
           
Derrick Rose ? Chicago Bulls
               
Nate Robinson ? New York Knicks
         
Steve Nash ? Phoenix Suns
           
Dwight Howard- Orlando Magic
               
Ray Allen ? Boston Celtics
     
David Lee ? New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony ? Denver Nuggets

If Stephon Marbury does receive a buyout or release from the Knicks this season, he'd have to accept the veteran's minimum from a team like the Celtics.

Boston has refuted Marbury's claims that they have a verbal commitment in place should he become available, and because of luxury tax concerns, the team isn't likely to give anyone more than the veteran's minimum.

Marbury is reported to have already collected half of his $21 million salary this season even though he hasn't played a game for the Knicks.

Boston forward Brian Scalabrine will be out indefinitely after suffering his second concussion in three days.

"He got hit in the head, and he just had a mild concussion," Coach Doc Rivers said. "I don't know if he was out but he was close. He'll be out probably for quite some time because of that, would be my guess, for quite some time."

Scalabrine was hit in the head during Sunday's win over the Mavericks and suffered the second concussion after being hit by teammate Patrick O'Bryant in practice on Tuesday.

"It just looked like he got hit in the head," Ray Allen said. "I know he got hit last game in the head. He went down and just stayed down and looked disoriented."

Celtics' coach Doc Rivers is still interested in bringing Reggie Miller out of retirement if the former Pacers' guard and current TNT analyst would like.

"Listen," Rivers said, "whenever I see him, I always tell him, 'Reggie, any time you want to come (back)...' I say that, but as far as what him and Danny [Ainge] have said, I have no idea. I don't get involved in that."

Boston tried to get Miller out of retirement last season, and then check in this season, as well.

"I would consider it if he were in great shape and had a great desire to come back and play," Ainge said Monday.

"I don't think that he has a desire to play, though. I haven't gotten any indication that he wants to play since we talked to him last summer, and he decided to retire for good. I've gotten no hint that him coming back is even a possibility."

Stephon Marbury appeared on Sports Center on Tuesday and tried to set the record straight on his situation.  He has been in contact with the Celtics, Heat, and Mavericks.

"If something was to happen, I would be able to pick either of those teams," said Marbury.  "So it's not do I have a verbal or did Boston give me a commitment. That's people saying what they are basically speculating on what I said. If I could get out of my deal, I'd have a chance to choose what teams that I am able to go to. Even if those teams are not there, another team might come up and try to do something. I don't know where it could go. But the whole truth of the matter is I have to be able to get out of my deal. And I'm in a deal where I'm basically locked in where I can't play basketball. I can't complain too much because they are still paying me.

"I don't believe that it's about the money," said Marbury.  "I think it's about where I'm going to be playing basketball at. D'Antoni says that he doesn't mind if I play in Boston or if I played in Miami. He didn't care moving forward. I don't think it's necessarily about money. It can't be about money, whereas the Knicks, the organization itself, they're a billion dollar company, so I don't think it can be about that, especially when they owe me that money. I didn't come this year saying to the Knicks that I wanted to go in another direction. I came here ready to play. I did the exact thing Donnie Walsh told me to do. He told me to come in the best shape of my life and I did that."

Celtics' coach Doc Rivers believes that the Eastern Conference has returned to prominence, and that it no longer plays second fiddle to the West.

"Yes, the East is back," Rivers said. "I said last year that I thought the three or four best teams were in the East. Cleveland, Detroit, and Orlando [along] with us, that's the top four teams last year. No one wanted to hear that because the bottom of the East struggled a little bit. This year, the bottom of the East, you can get beat by any of those teams."

There has been absolutely no verbal commitment between the Celtics and New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, according to a source close to the situation.

Marbury told the New York Post on Sunday that he has an offer from the Celtics should he get free from his deal in New York. Marbury has not played since last April and is currently in a stalemate with the Knicks over the buyout of his $21 million contract.

The source went on to say the two sides have spoken (the Knicks gave Marbury permission to talk with other clubs), and that the Celts would definitely like to add him under the right circumstances.