Johnson’s Return Clouded in Defeat

Dennis Johnson had little opportunity to enjoy his return to Boston.

The former Celtic star came back as the coach of the Clippers on Friday night and guided his team to its eighth consecutive loss.

J.R. Bremer scored a career-high 25 points, and Antoine Walker had 22 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in Boston’s 83-72 victory.

Johnson received a standing ovation when he was introduced before the game. But the emotional reunion turned bizarre midway through the second half when the Celtics suddenly evacuated their bench, unable to breathe.

“Everybody started coughing,” center Mark Blount said. “I felt like I was going to throw up, man.”

Paul E. Johnson, the NBA security official assigned to Boston, said police believe four men released a canister of pepper spray as a prank and then left the building. “Immediately after they left, the complaints started,” he said.

Boston police were looking at FleetCenter surveillance video with the goal of identifying the four men.

“The greatest concern is what the element is that has been released on the public,” said Johnson, the security official. “Is it dangerous? Is this some kind of terrorist attack? Obviously, that’s what’s on everybody’s mind.”

There was no odor, but players and fans reported problems with their throats and eyes. No one sought treatment at the FleetCenter’s emergency medical station.

Celtic Coach Jim O’Brien wanted to cancel or postpone the rest of the game, but play resumed after a nine-minute delay when referee Hue Hollins decided that there was no danger.

“I could feel it was strong, but it didn’t last long,” Hollins told a pool reporter. “We really didn’t see any danger in continuing....

“We can’t just arbitrarily say the game is over.”

Even without Paul Pierce (sore back), the Celtics easily sent the Clippers to their third loss since Johnson was promoted to replace Alvin Gentry on Monday. Boston won for the fifth time in six games and swept the Clippers for the third consecutive season.

“Our guys refused to be distracted,” O’Brien said. “They came back out and played good basketball.”

Corey Maggette scored 17 for the Clippers, who trailed by 10 points after three quarters and never made it close after that. Quentin Richardson had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Johnson played for the Celtics from 1983 to ‘90, the fourth player to the Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish that won two NBA titles. Johnson’s No. 3 has been retired by the Celtics.

Since getting promoted to interim coach on Monday, Johnson has heard from many of his former teammates and others from his Celtic days.

What he hasn’t done, though, is win. Johnson has 22 games left in his audition.