Celtics sharp shooter Ray Allen just recently exercised his player option as part of the two-year deal he signed last off-season in Boston. The all-time three-point champion is set to earn $10 million in 2012 as the C’s make another run at Banner #18.  (more)

Recognized by many as the most dominant force in NBA History, Shaquille O’Neal just recently announced his retirement through social media tool Tout (a real-time video messaging service): “We did it. Nineteen years baby. (more)

Doc Rivers and the Boston Celtics just recently agreed on a deal that will keep the 2008 NBA Champion head coach on the Celtics bench for an additional five years. Boston was eliminated from the 2011 post-season earlier this week after suffering a 97-87 Game 5 loss to the Miami Heat. With Rivers at the helm and his core group of players still under contract, the veteran Celtics are set to revamp once again for another title run in 2012. “Doc wants to be here,” said Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge. “It’s not all because he thinks that over the next five years we’re going to have the best team in the NBA. He feels like he’s part of this franchise, he likes working here, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to help us be successful.” Check back for additional Boston Celtics offseason updates with us at AceTicket.com!

LeBron James netted 35 points in yesterday’s 98-90 OT victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden to move his Miami Heat to within one game of the Eastern Conference finals. Dwayne Wade finished with 28 and Chris Bosh followed up with 20. The rest of the Heat lineup contributed just 15 points in total. Game 5 is set for this Wednesday in Miami. “Wednesday night will be our greatest challenge that we’ve had with this group so far,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “We’ll get their best games on Wednesday. And we have to be better. If we’re real about what we want to do, we have to beat the Boston Celtics at their best.” Paul Pierce led the C’s in scoring with 27 points. Rajon Rondo produced 10 points and five assists with a padded sleeve after dislocating his left elbow Saturday in Game 3. Boston has reached the NBA Finals in two of the last three seasons and will expect to battle in Game 5 to bring the series back to Boston. “These are those moments. I look forward to it,” said Ray Allen following his 17-point performance. “Everybody on this team, we know what to do. We can’t talk about it; we just have to put our best foot forward. It’s not easy. It just makes it that much more special if we’re able to do it.” Celtics vs. Heat tickets are now available!

The wait is finally over. The highly anticipated Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat best-of-seven playoff series will begin Sunday, May 1st at American Airlines Arena. The Celts are 3-1 against the Heat this year, failing to win in their most crucial battle on the road during the last week of the regular season. The Veteran C’s lineup has certainly revamped for their upcoming playoff run, sweeping the New York Knicks in the first round to earn a six-day rest period before continuing on. “I know there’s going to be a lot of hype around it, like it’s a championship series, but you’ve got to understand it’s still just the second round,” said Boston captain Paul Pierce. “But a very big second round because you’ve got two potential teams that can win it all. I’m excited. This is a great stage for basketball. It’s going to be great for fans and the guys that we have here love these type of series.” Check 7-game schedule below. Boston Celtics tickets are now available! Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat Playoff Schedule Game 1: Sunday, May 1, Boston Celtics at Miami Heat, 3:30 PM Game 2: Tuesday, May 3, Boston Celtics at Miami Heat, TBD Game 3: Saturday, May 7, Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, 8:00 PM Game 4: Monday, May 9, Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, TBD Game 5: Wednesday, May 11, Boston Celtics at Miami Heat, TBD (if necessary) Game 6: Friday, May 13, Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, TBD (if necessary) Game 7: Monday, May 16, Boston Celtics at Miami Heat, 8:00 PM (if necessary)

Kevin Garnett contributed 20 of his team-high 26 points in the second half to lead his Boston Celtics past the New York Knicks 101-89 yesterday at Madison Square Garden. The veteran Celts are currently the only team to clinch a spot in the second round after completing their first post-season sweep since 1992, back when Larry Bird and Co. battled to a 3-0 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Boston will have at least one week to rest before their expected matchup with the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The C’s gained a 23-point lead in the third quarter, only to see it diminish to four in the final frame before jumping on KG’s back to solidify the W. “Everybody understood what was at stake. Give a team some confidence, even in a 3-0 series to win a game, you never know what can happen,” said Paul Pierce after his 13-point performance. “So it was just very important for us to withstand the run. They made a great run and the crowd really got behind them, but in the fourth quarter we just really settled down in the last six or seven minutes, executed the offense and were able to put the game out of reach.” Boston PG Rajon Rondo came through with 21 points and 12 assists. Glen Davis sparked the Celtics bench with 14 points and five rebounds. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks offense with 32 points and 9 rebounds. Check back for more Boston Celtics updates right here at Ace!

Boston Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal traveled with the team yesterday in anticipation for Games 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden this weekend. The entire Celtics roster made the trip out with a 2-0 series lead over their Eastern Conference rival New York Knicks. “If he’s closer to playing – you know how we’ve done it – if you see him on the trip he’s really close,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said of Shaq. “If he goes on the trip, that means we think he’ll play that Sunday.” O’Neal missed 45 games this season due to injuries in his right knee, calf and Achilles, playing just 5 1/2 minutes since February 1st. Knicks starters Amare Stoudemire and Chauncey Billups are both listed as questionable for Game 3 Friday night. Billups had blood drained from his strained left knee after undergoing an MRI exam Wednesday. Stoudemire has been battling back spasms since leaving Tuesday’s game early in the second quarter. Check back for Celtics vs. Knicks playoff updates with us at Ace!

Kevin Garnett posted up for the go-ahead bucket and gathered the game-clinching steal in the closing seconds of regulation, leading the Boston Celtics to win 96-93 over the New York Knicks in Wednesday’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal contest at the TD Garden. The C’s now hold a 2-0 advantage with Games 3 and 4 to be played in New York Friday, April 22nd and Sunday, April 24th. After Ray Allen hit the dagger to solidify their Game 1 victory, it was Garnett who stepped up this time around on both ends of the floor. “I wasn’t really in a nice rhythm,” said Garnett, who finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. “I just remained calm, went to a shot I knew I could make.” Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 42 points for New York but Boston’s Rajon Rondo was the one who controlled the tempo through all four quarters. Rondo scored 16 of his 30 points in transition, gaining seven assists and four rebounds along the way. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen contributed 20 and 18, respectively. The Knicks were able to keep it close without All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire (back spasms) and veteran PG Chauncey Billups (strained left knee). Both Stoudemire and Billups are expected to return to game-action Friday. The sixth-seeded Knicks will have to win at least one of two in order to push the series back to Boston for Game 5. “The Celtics didn’t do anything special,” said Anthony. “They won two games on their home court. Now it’s our turn to go to our home court and try to do the same thing.” Despite Carmelo’s remarks, it’s hard to ignore New York’s inabilities to execute as the Celts continue to lock down on defense and convert down the stretch. Celtics vs. Knicks playoff tickets are now available!

The Boston Celtics were content in holding the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference in light of head coach Doc Rivers resting his starters in yesterday’s 95-94 overtime loss to the Washington Wizards last night at the Verizon Center. “I usually don’t seek out – it comes from me all the time – but this was one where I asked a lot of questions to some players, all our coaches, to Danny, so this was a tough one, but this was the right one,” said Rivers after the game. “At the end of the day for us, it’s got to be right for our team and whatever is best for our team, even over seeding.” The C’s are now lined up to battle the sixth-seeded New York Knicks in the opening round of the 2011 post-season. The two teams will meet for their final regular season contest at the TD Garden this Wednesday. Boston is 3-0 against the Knicks this year, defeating them once at home and twice on the road. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 17th with Game 2 set for the following Tuesday. Celtics vs. Knicks playoff tickets are now available!

Although no official announcement has been made, the Boston Bruins will open their 2011 playoff run Tuesday, April 14th with Game 2 slated for the following Saturday at the TD Garden. The B’s are riding high after defeating the New York Islanders Wednesday to hold the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference. Possible first round opponents for Boston include the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres. They will next host the Ottawa Senators tomorrow night before concluding their regular season in New Jersey on Sunday. The Boston Celtics are now tied with the Miami Heat at 54-24 with four games to play before their quest for banner #18 officially begins. The Chicago Bulls have proven themselves as title contenders in light of their recent 97-81 victory over the C’s last night at the United Center. It’s likely for Boston to finish second or third in the East with home court advantage already solidified for the opening round. They will either start up their post-season campaign against the Philadelphia 76ers or New York Knicks. Games 1 and 2 are set for Sunday, April 17th and Tuesday, April 19th. Find the best available Bruins and Celtics playoff ticket deals right here at AceTicket.com!