Talk » out freshman guard Alterique Gilbert (should

BOSTON -- Al Horford will be back in the Boston lineup when the Celtics host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.Horford, who missed nine games this season because of a concussion, was not with the team in its easy win at Miami on Monday night because his wife gave birth to the couples second child.Amazingly, Horford had to defend not being at the game after a local talk-show host said he should have chartered a jet and joined his team in Florida.My familys very important to me, he said Tuesday. For me, Im in more of a unique situation because this is our first year here (in Boston) and my wife, we all moved in the middle of the pregnancy. And just a lot going on. So I just felt like it was important for me to really be there, supporting her. And we have a son as well.So for her, its been a lot thrown at her these past few months. So I know that it meant a lot for me to be there with her, and knowing our schedule ahead and everything. So Im just very happy that the Celtics really take the time and they consider us not only as players but as people. And people that have families.After Horfords sister came to his defense on Twitter, the player put the whole thing in perspective, saying, I dont really read into any (criticism). I dont read Twitter and stuff, and the radio and all that. I just kind of focus on the court, on my job here, and then off the court on my family.Everybody has their opinion. I respect anything that anybody has to say. I care a lot about the group and our guys. Like I was explaining earlier, for my familys sake it was important for me to be there for them. Just with our transition and everything. So thats that. Now I can put that behind me and get focused again on (Wednesdays game).That contest will be against a Detroit team that won easily beat the Hornets on Tuesday night, a 112-89 win at Charlotte.Give them their due -- four games in five nights, its awfully difficult in this league, Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy said of the Hornets. I think they ran out of gas a little bit in the second half. But still, we did what we were supposed to do. It was important for us to do that, so I was happy.The Pistons won despite the ejection of big man Andre Drummond in the second quarter for throwing an elbow at Roy Hibbert -- a non-believing Drummond laughing and shaking his head as he walked off the court following the flagrant-2 call.Tobias Harris scored 24 points and Marcus Morris and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 18 apiece for the Pistons (9-10).It says a lot about our team, but most importantly about guys like Aron (Baynes) and Jon (Leuer) to fill in for that role and be productive and bring the energy that (Drummond) had when he was out there, Harris said. We just kept playing with them.The Celtics (10-7) cruised to a 112-104 win in Miami and came away saying Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told his players that Boston guard Marcus Smart was a hothead.I was begging for Spoelstra to get a technical foul because he was saying a lot of stuff, Bostons Jae Crowder said. He was everywhere (Monday) night, but thats one of the things he did say. When they went to intentional foul Marcus, it was obvious that what they were trying to do was more than just foul. They were trying to get under his skin and play a little physical, and knowing he wanted to retaliate for the most part. So its just part of the scouting report on I guess Marcus that he wears his emotions on his sleeve.The Pistons and Celtics played Nov. 19 in Auburn Hills, Boston winning 94-92 with Isaiah Thomas scoring 24 points and dishing out eight assists. Jordan Hicks . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Giovanny Gallegos . Blackwood, 28, has played the last three seasons in the San Diego Padres system, including the past two summers with Class AA San Antonio of the Texas League. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-carlos-martinez-jersey-large-1031q.html . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Whitey Herzog . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Ozzie Smith Jersey Large . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. The 33rd Maui Invitational tips off Monday and will feature another field loaded with basketball powers.This years field --?Oregon, Tennessee, Georgetown, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, UConn, North Carolina and host Chaminade -- consists of teams that have a combined 14 NCAA championships, 40 Final Four appearances and 192 NCAA tournament appearances.?The winner in Maui has gone on to win the national title four times, with UConn in 2010-11 the most recent. North Carolina has won the Maui title three times.UConn and Oklahoma State play in a quarterfinal at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU and WatchESPN. The winner will play either No. 5 North Carolina or Chaminade on Tuesday.?UConn is making its fourth overall appearance in the Maui Invitational, and has twice won the event. The Huskies are 8-1 all-time in Maui. The last time they won the tournament was during the 2010-11 season when they were led by Kemba Walker, who averaged 30 points per game in the toourney.dddddddddddd?The Huskies, which started 0-2 before a win against Loyola Marymount, had not lost their first two games to open the season since 1968. Their defense remains a mainstay as they are holding teams to 37.6 percent shooting in three games.But the problem resides on offense, as UConn is shooting 38.9 percent, including 60.8 percent from the free-throw line, and is averaging only 61.3 points per game. The Huskies led the nation in free-throw shooting at 79.3 percent last year.?The Huskies, who are likely without freshman guard Alterique Gilbert (shoulder) for the tournament, are led by transfer Terry Larrier and his 16.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore Jalen Adams is averaging 11 points, while senior Rodney Purvis has struggled scoring 5.7 points on 28 percent shooting.?-- John Silver ' ' '