Clock could be nearing midnight for Celtics

Happily for the Celtics, it’s not over when some writer says it’s over, but when the clock actually strikes 12.

Right now, it’s only, say, 11:46 p.m.

Going into the weekend, they were 17-18 since Christmas with recent losses to the lowly Nets at home and last week’s back-to-back games in Milwaukee and at home to Memphis.

Not that losing by 20 to the Grizzlies was torture, but Celtics Coach Doc Rivers called the two-minute warning “the only good message this entire game.”

Celtics don’t even say the A word (age). It’s gospel in Boston that their bodies are able but their spirit is no longer willing, which, at least, gives them a last hope to grasp onto.

Actually, their trademark, Kevin Garnett-inspired ferocity looks fine early.

In the last three seasons, they went an incredible 72-11 from opening night through Christmas.

They’ve then hacked their way through the rest of the season amid a slew of injuries. Assuming those aren’t psychosomatic, it’s not about their spirit.

“I mean they’re a skilled athletic team,” Rivers said of the Grizzlies, tipping his concern.

“When you give them confidence, the way we’re constructed, it makes it difficult.”

Doc’s team is constructed of skilled older players with KG no longer able to roam wherever needed in a defense that suffocates young athletic teams.

Of course, it’s never over ‘til it’s over, especially with guys as gallant as these, or as gallant as they were once, anyway.

AI’s troubles

Puncturing the 76ers’ cover story, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Stephen A. Smith reported Allen Iverson’s “personal problems” involve drinking, gambling and profligate spending.... Smith was then savaged by “Player X” in an ESPN blog who claimed the whole league is mad at him for pinning the 76ers “failure [on] Allen’s drinking and gambling....

Aside from the reprehensible practice of running anonymous opinions — which surely wouldn’t have been tolerated if Smith still worked there — Stephen A. was pleading for AI to pull his life together. The lone mention of the team was identifying Iverson as “the former 76ers star.”... Asked what people could do for AI, his business manager, Gary Moore, told Smith, “Pray.”

Michael Jordan is expected to be approved as Charlotte’s owner next week, raising the possibility he may comment this season! ... MJ reportedly contacted North Carolina teammates Sam Perkins, an Indiana exec, and James Worthy, who does TV for the Lakers, about front office jobs — assuming he’ll maintain the schedule keeping him out of Charlotte much of the time.

Philadelphia’s Eddie Jordan, coaching for his job, benched Andre Iguodala in a win at Toronto, amid reports he won’t even make it to season’s end.... Why Jordan wants to make it to season’s end is the question, with nightly grilling on his treacherous job security and prickly relationship with players....

“They’re good character guys,” bristled Jordan. “Like all teams, every once in a while they need a kick in the pants and motivation and positive thoughts. I don’t know where that comes from. Everyone just puts it out there: ‘The team’s not listening.’ They’re full of ....”... Noted Delaware Online: “After the game [a home loss to Charlotte], it seemed like Jordan was full of....”

— Mark Heisler