Game Two Notes: First Half

Let’s do it folks.

2-0 Pistons, 1 minute in: Good point by announcing crew on Pistons’ first offensive possession that Rondo should’ve gone and taken Perk’s spot who was guarding Billups on a switch…then a great first defensive possession by Detroit

14-10 Celtics, 4:16 1st qtr.: Lots to notice: Rondo with a great rebound skying on the low block but then gave it away…the good thing: very next possession he works a pick and pop with Garnett and realizes the switch and gets KG a rather uncontested jumper (with a point guard on him)…Rasheed’s got a technincal already and Billups has drawn 2 fouls already (one Rondo, one Perk- both things to watch the rest of the game…Hamilton gets 2 free thows on a brutal foul call on Ray Alllen…Rondo still balking on taking open jumpers…signs of a track meet at the 5 minute mark but the Pistons are so composed they slow it down every time…great blocks by Perk and Pierce and a good defensive start.

14-14, 2:15 1st qtr.: With Rondo so inconsistent/unconfident in taking jump shots, getting Eddie House into the game would be a great idea.

16-16, 1:45 1st qtr: Right on cue, House comes in and fouls Billups shooting a 3 (doh!). Um did I say put him in? Can I just delete that last post? No way for Tommy to argue that call either…

20-18 Celtics, End of 1: OK it’s Pierce (7 pts.) vs. Billups (6 pts.) so far. The numbers may not show that obviously but the ball is running thru these two guys. KG’s had his chances and made a couple nasty jumpers…Rasheed’s doing very little, Rip made a few buckets and McDyess knocked one down. Tight, low-scoring and a pretty slow pace. That’s what to expect right?

23-20 Pistons, 8:41 2nd qtr: Ray Allen’s got three fouls after a brutally late call by the officials. This second quarter is reminding me of a college game - specifically the ones that I watch all the time, a smaller outsized outgunned team trying to pull off the upset. Doc started the bench along with Pierce so it was one playmaker and a bunch of guys who work off of his game (like a lower-level college team) against the Pistons. The Celtics had tons of chances (3 offensive boards on one possession) but can’t score. They’re “running the offense” (a term you only hear from Jay Bilas) but it’s not working while Detroit looks confident in what they’re doing. Once Garnett is back in the dynamic will change again but that 3:30 did not help the C’s momentum.

31-27 Pistons, 5:55 2nd qtr: McDyess has got ten and a free throw coming after a late call foul on Big Baby…with Posey in the drive and kick offense is flowng a little better, but boy nobody except for Houes and Posey (and Garnett from 20 feet) are shooting right off the catch…Detroit’s offense is looking pretty smooth right now and that killer from their first regular season matchup Lindsey Hunter is again doing the damage (3 mins, 2-2 FG, 5 pts, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 turnovers).

40-37 Pistons, 2:33 2nd qtr: Garnett continues to be awesome, he’s got 12 - Pierce has 13. I’m concerned that the C’s are mostly going with 1 on 1 offense. In fact they’ve only got 5 assists on 12 field goals - a much lower rate than game 1 when the C’s had dimes on 13 of their first 15 buckets…Stat update: Rebounds Boston 20, Detroit 10, Turnovers Boston 9, Detroit 4, FG%: Detroit 45%, Boston 40%, points on free throws: Pistons 14, Celtics 10…hang in there guys.

50-43 Pistons at the half: Detroit’s offense couldn’t be stopped for the most part in that second quarter. Doc tried Tony Allen for the first time in forever and he looked real rusty getting caught in the air on jump fakes a bunch and also missing two free throws..Pistons shooting 52% which the Celtics almost never allow at home…See ya in the second half.