NEW YORK - The Boston Celtics are aware of Stephon Marbury's reputation. They're also aware they may need more depth to win another title.
So if general manager Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers decide the banished New York Knicks guard can help them, the Celtics players sound willing to go along with it.
"He's been a great talent in this league for a long time," All-Star Ray Allen said Sunday. "I don't know the situation that happened with him in New York, but I know he's got a lot of basketball left in him."
It won't be played in New York, though. The Knicks haven't used Marbury this season and have ordered him to stay away while they work toward a buyout. It still hasn't been completed, because Marbury has refused to give up much or any of his nearly $21 million salary in negotiations, and there were no discussions during the holidays.
Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Marbury's representation from the NBA players' association could resume talks next week toward a divorce. If that gets completed, ESPN.com reported last week that the Celtics would be interested in signing him, confident they could deal with any questions about Marbury's character.
"People may think it's a bad idea, but I think that they could help you," point guard Rajon Rondo said of bringing in help. "Anybody that is a great player in this league that could help out - we are 15 strong but this is a business and that's how it goes. I'm new in this league and I heard a little bit about his reputation, but I'm not going to judge him."
If the Celtics' potential pursuit of a malcontent like Marbury seems confusing, try listening to Rivers talk about it.
"I can't answer the question," he said when first asked about Marbury. "I can, but I'm not. Actually I don't think I can, but if I could, I wouldn't. So I'm just going to leave it alone."
The Celtics added veteran help late last season with the additions of P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell, who helped them win their 17th NBA championship. However, they were respected leaders, while Marbury has feuded with coaches and alienated teammates during his five years in New York.
Rivers said he didn't know Marbury, but a few Celtics do. Allen was traded for him on draft night in 1996, and Kevin Garnett played with him in Minnesota early in their careers before Marbury broke up their promising partnership by asking out.
Rivers said he would discuss bringing in any player with his team. He would likely find support in the locker room.
"Stephon is very talented, definitely," Paul Pierce said. "I've had a chance to see him in face (to face) since I was in the 10th grade or so. It's an unfortunate situation that he's not able to be on the court right now."
New York 100, Boston 88: Wilson Chandler scored a career-high 31 points and the host New York Knicks snapped an eight-game losing streak against the sputtering Boston Celtics with a 100-88 victory Sunday night.
Al Harrington added 30 for the Knicks, who hadn't beaten Boston at Madison Square Garden since March 23, 2005, dropping the last six meetings. Capitalizing on a quiet night for Kevin Garnett, they seized control in the third quarter, never let it get too close in the fourth and added to what is now clearly a Celtics slump.
Chandler put the finishing touches on the upset when he took a long outlet pass from David Lee and made a layup while being fouled, hitting the free throw for a 98-86 lead with 2:11 to play.
Paul Pierce scored 31 points for the Celtics, who lost for the fourth time in six games following a 27-2 start.
Toronto 108, Orlando 102: Anthony Parker scored a season-high 26 points, Chris Bosh added 23 points and 10 rebounds and the Toronto Raptors overcame a 39-point performance by Orlando's Dwight Howard to beat the Magic 108-102.
Parker was 13-of-16 from the field and came within one point of his career high. The Raptors also got 18 points from Andrea Bargnani, 12 from Roko Ukic and 11 from Will Solomon.
Washington 80, Cleveland 77: LeBron James was called for traveling while driving for the potential tying basket with 2.3 seconds left, and his Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Eastern Conference-worst Washington Wizards 80-77.
James finished with 30 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. But nobody else on the Cavaliers scored more than 13, and they were held to their lowest point total this season.
Antawn Jamison's 26 points and 13 rebounds included a baseline jumper with 10.5 seconds left that put Washington ahead 79-77. Cleveland's next possession ended with James' turnover, and Caron Butler added a free throw for the final margin.
Detroit 88, L.A. Clippers 87: Rodney Stuckey scored 24 points, Tayshaun Prince added 20, and the Detroit Pistons got a critical goaltending call in the final seconds to beat the host Los Angeles Clippers 88-87 for their seventh straight victory in a matchup of injury-depleted teams.
Allen Iverson had 18 points and 10 assists for the Pistons, who have beaten the Clippers 12 straight times.
Memphis 102, Dallas 82: O.J. Mayo scored 18 of his 21 points in the second half, and the Memphis Grizzlies snapped a 13-game losing skid to the visiting Dallas Mavericks with a 102-82 victory.
Marc Gasol had 19 points for Memphis, and Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick added 18 apiece.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 28 points, hitting 11 of 21 shots. Jason Terry scored 18 and Josh Howard finished with 12 points, but was 5-of-12 from the field.