"The Celtics pursued a handful of released veterans to supplement their bench for the stretch run, including Dallas swingman Corey Brewer, who told the Globe yesterday that he was very close to choosing Boston.

Brewer, the seventh overall pick in 2007 by the Minnesota Timberwolves, received offers from the Mavericks and the Celtics after being released by the New York Knicks.

"I seriously considered the Celtics, a lot," said Brewer, who is making his first career NBA Finals appearance with Dallas. "And eventually I thought I was going to go to Boston. But then at the last minute we struck a nice deal with Dallas and we felt like this was the best situation for us.""