Pistons at Celtics, 7:30 p.m.

Winless Celtics have big problems

Doc Rivers’ Celtics team slumped to 0-3 after a loss in New Orleans on Wednesday.

Gerald Herbert/AP

No longer can the Celtics rely on reputation or past accomplishments. They have to reprove themselves, and the question remains whether their aging bodies are capable.

Businesses get ready for first Celtics home game

Companies that depend on the popularity of the Celtics are gearing up for the team’s first home game tonight after a 149-day lockout kept the parquet empty.

Austin Rivers, son of Doc, thriving at Duke

Rivers, whose devotion to basketball knows no boundaries, is the leading scorer for seventh-ranked Duke as a freshman this season.

Peabody, Mass. -12/30/11 - Funeral services were held for Peabody firefighter James M. Rice at St. John The Baptist Church, as hundreds of firefighters from all over came to pay respect. During the funeral service, a Massachusetts State Trooper kept a funeral program with Rice's photo in the inside of his hat he held. Globe staff photo by John Tlumacki (metro)

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Thousands mourn fallen firefighter in Peabody

Firefighter James M. Rice today was eulogized by his father, who said that he and his family have a “giant hole in their hearts.”

Mass. confirms first human case of rabies in 75 years

A Barnstable County man is hospitalized in critical condition after contracting rabies, likely after being exposed to a bat in his home, officials said.

State GOP chair donated to Democrats

The $500 for Governor Deval Patrick’s reelection campaign last year wasn’t the first contribution to Democrats by Massachusetts Republican Party’s new chairman.

“Part of my happiness about how it’s going in the first week is we hoped it would go this well and that’s one of the reasons we’re back playing this soon.”

Wyc Grousbeck,  Celtics owner

Business

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LL Bean boot gets a kick from retro trend

The familiar duck boot with leather uppers and rubber soles has become something of a fashion statement due to its newfound popularity on college campuses.

Nation & World

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Muslims to skip Bloomberg breakfast

Religious leaders upset at police efforts to spy on Muslims plan to skip Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s annual year-end interfaith breakfast, saying Bloomberg shouldn’t be defending the tactics.

Sports

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Wes Welker

Patriots have no peers in YAC

The Patriots lead the NFL in yards after catch with 2,483. With one game remaining, that is the highest YAC total for a season since the statistic was first tracked in 1992.

Movies

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NEW YEAR’S EVE: MOVIES

New Year’s Eve picks: film

If high-decibel parties, chilly strolls, or waiting around for the midnight hour to strike are not your idea of a memorable New Year’s Eve, there’s always the movies.