Celtics on cruise control

Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Michael Finley scored 15 points apiece, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and eight rebounds on Monday night to help the host Boston Celtics coast to a 119-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Boston rested its starters in the fourth quarter while beating up on a non-contender for the second straight home game. But in between was a 104-93 loss at Cleveland that could be a more important measurement of where the Celtics stand in the NBA playoff hunt.

Also Monday

Knicks 94, 76ers 84: Danilo Gallinari scored 21 points as New York won its second straight on the road by rallying past host Philadelphia.

Late Sunday

Suns 120, Hornets 106: Steve Nash had 13 points and 12 assists in his 1,000th NBA game, and his favorite receiver Amare Stoudemire had a 36-point, 12-rebound performance for host Phoenix.

Trail Blazers 109, Raptors 98: Nicolas Batum scored 22 points as host Portland won its fourth straight.

Kings 114, Timberwolves 100: Rookie Tyreke Evans had 29 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds to lead host Sacramento over Minnesota.

Notes

Heat's Wright apologizes: Dorell Wright made an emotional return to practice with the Miami Heat on Monday, four days after being arrested on a driving under the influence charge and being suspended by the team for two games.

Wright did not speak specifically of the circumstances surrounding being charged on Miami Beach around 3:30 a.m. Thursday with DUI and driving with a suspended license, citing pending legal matters. He did, however, say "the thing that disgusts me the most" was feeling that he let the franchise and its fans down, especially during a playoff chase.

"It was way out of character for me," Wright said. "I definitely apologize."

Wright is expected to be in uniform today when Miami hosts San Antonio.

Arenas says he 'deserves' punishment: Gilbert Arenas says he deserves to be punished for bringing guns to the locker room.

The suspended Washington Wizards guard told Esquire magazine that he wasn't using "longevity thinking" when he took out four guns in what he says was an attempt to play a prank on teammate Javaris Crittenton in December.

Arenas pleaded guilty to a felony gun charge in January and will be sentenced next week. He has been suspended until the end of the season by the NBA.

Shaq back: Injured Cleveland center Shaquille O'Neal has rejoined the Cavaliers.

O'Neal, who has been out since tearing a ligament in his thumb on Feb. 25 and undergoing surgery, has been resting at home in Florida since the operation. He was back at the team's facility on Monday but did not speak to reporters after the Cavs practiced and left for a game in Detroit.

General manager Danny Ferry said O'Neal met with doctors and will be starting rehabilitation. He will not be traveling with the team.