The Celtics improved to 17-2 on the season with a 107-88 thrashing of the visiting Orlando Magic last night at the Garden. Paul Pierce had 24 points, Ray Allen 21, and Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 12 assists in the win.

Frank Dell’Apa says that last night’s game reflected playoff intensity from the two clubs, with eight technical fouls being assessed. Steve Bulpett has the Celtics warding off yet another challenger on the Garden floor. Robert Lee has the Celtics breezing past the Magic at the Garden. Scott Souza has Rajon Rondo leading the way in the win. Jeff Howe says no amount of Magic by Orlando could slow the Celtics down. Bill Doyle has Rondo giving him mom a birthday present with his play.

Barbara Matson has Paul Pierce defining the shape of last night’s game. Mark Murphy has a feature on Ray Allen’s work with the Joslin Centers – the world’s most renowned diabetes clinic. Dan Duggan has Kendrick Perkins treating his matchup with Dwight Howard as a personal challenge. Duggan also has Tony Battie talking about his close friend and former teammate, Paul Pierce. Paul Flannery has Doc Rivers picking up Coach of the Month honors for November.

Dell’Apa’s notebook looks at the strong game from Rondo last night, as well as the flurry of technical fouls. Bulpett’s notebook has Doc Rivers winning coach of the month honors. Lee’s notebook has more on the bond between Battie and Pierce. Doyle’s notebook has more on Doc’s coach of the month honor. Jim Fenton’s notebook has Doc saying he enjoyed having the NBA Championship trophy in his Orlando home this summer.

Patriots

Report Card day. You can probably guess how they turn out, so here is a simple list of them if you want to go through them:

Felger: Patriots Report Card: At Least the Running Backs Were Good

McHugh: PATRIOTS REPORT CARD Look at it this way, the Patriots could play the revenge card if they make the playoffs.

Borges: Patriots Report Card

Clark: Patriots Report Card: Nothing pretty

Christopher Price has Belichick feeling good about his team’s chances down the stretch. Bill Burt says that the season will come down to the Arizona game for the Patriots. Rich Garven says that the Patriots have to win out to have any shot at the postseason. Christopher L. Gasper has the Patriots keeping things simple. Just win. Shalise Manza Young says that the Patriots can ill afford any more losses.

Rob Bradford and Tony Massarotti assert that the Patriots era is over and we’re headed back to the Rod Rust days.

Mark Farinella has the Patriots set to cross the pond next season for a game in London. Thomas Grillo says that the game is a chance to pick up new fans. John Tomase has Jarvis Green upset at the low sack total by the club and himself. Young has Richard Seymour unhappy with his reduced playing time on Sunday.

Farinella’s notebook says that the Patriots aren’t about to panic over their current predicament. Gasper’s notebook has Bob Kraft thrilled at the London trip, the players less so. Tomase’s notebook has Wes Welker earning praise for his toughness.

Misc

My computer has been acting up all morning, so that’s going to do it for the links. There are plenty of Bruins and Red Sox stories out there today, check them out at BruinsLinks.com and RedSoxLinks.com.

Dan Lamothe has Evan Grant not happy with how he was treated on WEEI.

Paul Doyle reports on the launch of Connecticut’s new Sports TV Network.

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