Pistons' Wallace replaces gimpy Garnett in All-Star Game

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BOSTON -- Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett withdrew from the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday and was replaced on the Eastern Conference roster by Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace.

Wallace

Garnett

The announcement was made by the commissioner's office after Garnett missed his seventh consecutive game with an abdominal strain. Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who will coach the East in the Feb. 17 game in New Orleans, said Garnett will not play until the team returns from the break.

"He's out until after the All-Star break," Rivers said after the Celtics beat the San Antonio Spurs 98-90 to improve to 5-2 since Garnett was injured.

Garnett was averaging 19.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game before being sidelined two weeks ago after straining a stomach muscle on Jan. 25 against the Timberwolves. He was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game, but Rivers said that Garnett would probably not play Tuesday or Wednesday, in Boston's last two games before the break.

Rivers, who will coach the East in the game, said he hoped Ray Allen would be considered as Garnett's replacement.

"He should be [an All-Star] anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't Ray they use," Rivers said. "It would be nice to have Ray on. I would take Ray."

Wallace will join teammates Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton for the All-Star Game New Orleans. It will be his fourth All-Star appearance.

The Pistons forward will have to alter his vacation plans after being selected to replace Garnett in the game.

"This time I'll go for the kids," Wallace said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "I guess once I get older or out of the game, they can look back on it and check it out."

Wallace is averaging 12.9 points and 7.3 rebounds this season, and leads Detroit in blocks and steals.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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