Celtics return to Central MA tonight

From the Worcester Telegram & Gazette (telegram.com):

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Celtics played annual preseason games at the DCU Center when it was known as the Centrum and drew large crowds. Then after Larry Bird retired, the team began losing, Worcester crowds fell off dramatically, and the Celtics stopped making the hour drive down the turnpike. In their only visit here over the past decade, the Celtics attracted just 5,521 fans to watch them get drilled by San Antonio, 100-80, on Oct. 12, 2000. Rick Pitino quit as president and coach in frustration three months later.

DCU Center general manager Sandy Dunn admits she wasn’t interested in hosting Celtics preseason games in recent years because she didn’t think they’d sell enough tickets. But the Celtics return to the DCU Center for a 7:30 tipoff tonight against the New Jersey Nets, and a crowd of more than 10,000 is expected. The third level will be curtained off, lowering capacity to about 11,500, and Dunn said sales have picked up over the past two weeks, so a sellout isn’t out of the question.

However, I didn't like seeing this quote from the captain:

“You’re probably not going to find me in Worcester unless we’re playing a game,” Pierce said. “I haven’t heard of any nice places to eat out there. I always drive past it when I’m going to Mohegan, though.”

I'm going to the game, if I see Paul I should invite him out for a night on Shrewsbury Street (shrewsburystreet.org), show him what the city has to offer ...