'Peaceand quiet': Celtics regroup in S.L. following All-Star weekend News Utah Jazz

Not all of his team agreed, but Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers felt Salt Lake City was the perfect place for his guys to spend three days at the conclusion of the All-Star break. "We wanted to ski," deadpanned Rivers when asked why the defending NBA champs came to town so early in preparation for tonight's 8:30 game against the Utah Jazz . "We were going to go on a ski trip to Park City, but the guys didn't want to do it. So we decided to practice instead."

The reality is that with so many of the Celtics players ? including the "big three" of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen ? participating in All-Star related events in Phoenix last weekend, it didn't make sense for them to meet back in New England before flying together across the country again to Utah. There was no question that they were going to meet on Tuesday in the West. It was just a matter of where. "We had two choices," explained Rivers. "We thought (we could go to) Vegas for two days or Salt Lake City. The players wanted Vegas. The coach wanted Salt Lake City. It wasn't that hard (of a decision). I wanted them to have some legs for this trip." So the Celtics worked out Tuesday afternoon at the Jazz's Zions Bank practice facility and then again Wednesday at EnergySolutions Arena. "It's been really good," said Rivers. "Good for team building, being around each other for team breakfast and team lunch. It's been like a mini training camp starting the second half of the year." While Salt Lake may not have as many distractions as Las Vegas, Garnett, for one, is fine with that. "In Utah, I've always found some peace and quiet here," said Garnett. "Peace and quiet is not always a bad thing, so it's been cool. ? We've been sitting back, chilling out and enjoying each other's company." Garnett and some teammates went to the Oscar-nominated "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" to help pass some time. He didn't sound too impressed by it, though. "It's like four hours long ? plenty of sleep," Garnett said of the Brad Pitt movie. With their mini-training camp now over, the 44-11 Celtics are ready to face the 31-23 Jazz tonight in a TNT-televised game. Utah and Boston have had three memorable, close games in the past two seasons, with Boston coming out on top twice ? including in December on the Celtics' home floor. "When it comes to Utah ? and I've said this since Day 1 ? they are a well-oiled machine," said Garnett. "You know what they are going to do. They play really hard. We've been trying to get our team to execute like they do. Both teams take a lot of pride in defense and both teams are physical." Rivers echoes those thoughts. "Two good teams," said the Celtics coach of his club and the Jazz. "They are terrific and, obviously, of late we've been pretty good. That makes for a good game. We get up for each other and both teams like to play defense and both teams are physical, so it makes for a good matchup." E-mail: lojo@desnews.com