Posts tagged ‘NBA Finals’

Paul Pierce’s words after the game. Who would’ve thought? After the first quarter down 21 points (the largest first quarter deficit in NBA Finals history by the way - looks like teams are 1-0 when trailing by more than 20 points after one in the Finals). After the Celtics rallied and then got thrown down again at the half to be down by 18. After Perk got hurt and didn’t come back with a shoulder injury. After Sam Cassell came in the game. But the C’s did come back and it’s even more amazing than that Nets game because it’s the Finals (obviously) and it’s in LA. The C’s usually play better in LA than most road venues (Antoine Walker banking in a fall-away three for a win at the Lakers always sticks in my mind) but still.

Here’s what sticks out in my mind: that second quarter rally that was squashed was still huge. It showed that the Celts could come back in the game - they could roll off 12 straight and not be stymied to say a 6 point rally over 2 minutes like the Pistons often did. Late in the third quarter when Posey picked up his 5th foul and Tony Allen came in for only 2+ minutes, the Celtics went on a 12-2 run to finish the quarter. That was huge…no one will get this but it was Billy Fucillo huge (look online or ask your friends in upstate New York or Mexico). Allen didn’t score but he stepped right into Posey’s shoes and was a factor with a defensive rebound.

Rondo played less than 20 minutes in this game and down the stretch Ray Allen and sometimes Posey handled the ball. No Cassell either - House was in. Ray Allen/House/Posey/Pierce/Garnett - small lineup with tons of shooters. A lineup that Chris and I talked about extensively during the year as being a dynamic shooting lineup that spread the floor like none other and with 20 seconds left, Ray beats Vucacic and with everyone in the four corners and KG setting the screen, Allen just laid it in. Paul said right after the game they knew no one could help on defense because they’d be too far away. I love that lineup and it only took 24 playoff games to get it in for an extended stretch in a big moment (that I can remember).

Celtics finished with 11 turnovers - I don’t have it in front of me but I think they had nine in the first half and six in the first quarter. And the defense obviously worked after the first quarter, points wise, intensity wise and not-letting-Gasol dunk wise. Two off days and then maybe the clincher Sunday in LA. Oh also let it be known our loyal listener Adam from Wellesley has seen three wins and 0 losses in person for these finals and he’s going to be there for game five. Celticscast luck is on his side. He also pointed out via email the C’s were 16-21 when trailing by 8 or more in a game this year. Now they’re 17-21 and in my opinion that’s better than I would ever think - down nearly double digits and winning nearly half the time? Great game great finish and now onto the fifth game for hopefully the pinnacle of a great season.

In today’s episode not even the heat could slow us down. Chris and Andrew get back to it looking forward to game three and with some thoughts on the near-collapse but still win in game two:

• We start it off with some emails on the foul situation (C’s 38 FT attempts, Lakers 10) and why that happened
• Containing Kobe: Part Two
• Off to Los Angeles for Game Three: the keys to winning in a 2-3-2 format with the next three games on the West Coast

All this and more just a click away on Celticscast, and don’t forget to send us an E-mail at hosts@celticscast.com!

Gotta love it. Very entertaining game - the subplots of Pierce going down and coming back. But the key as in almost any sport at a championship level was defense and (a little more basketball specific) rebounding.

Pierce/Posey and yes Ray Allen did a tremendous second half job on Kobe. He could not get to the rim - even when one of the two was guarding Kobe he couldn’t shake them most of the time and help was always there in the few instances the D was initially beat. Bryant to the tune of 9-26 shows that. In postgame, Kobe insisted he had lots of good looks. I’ll be happy to see him have those good looks for the second half.

Chris and I were pretty confident back in February when PJ and Cassell joined the fold that Brown would be the bigger acquisition. I know Cassell made some shots in the first half, but he still drives me crazy with those “I’ll take it up, dribble, dribble, then dribble then shoot” possessions that he still has. PJ was noticed by the announcing crew and found his way into the spotlight but again it wasn’t boxscore - it was intensity and being a part of moving the ball that worked for him.

I love the crowd - Boston doesn’t need ‘de-fense’ on the scoreboard every possession or noise meters constantly to have chants or loudness. Sure those things happen but not as much as in other NBA arenas. Lakers fans will be good as well - thank goodness it’s not San Antonio with 10 seconds of hip-hop, pop and drumbeats playing every time up the floor.

Shot of the game: Pierce’s (two) threes at the end of the third quarter. Momentum, 6 points, a lead, crowd intensity, a statement - these two had it all and they happened because the Celtics “RAN THE BALL!” Yes Tommy they ran and it worked twice…in a row. Awesome.

Check the site often thru the series - Chris has got interviews lined up for tomorrow and we’ll be back Saturday for our game 2 preview and game one thoughts via the audio platform.

In today’s episode of Celticscast…The Starting Five: Position by Position, Celtics and Lakers

• Rondo v. Fisher
• Allen v. Kobe
• Pierce v. Odom
• Garnett v. Gasol
• Perkins v. Radmanovic

Plus..

• We examine the coaching of Doc v. Phil Jackson and the advantages the Lakers have
• Why would these matchups shift around?
• General Excitement of the NBA Finals

All this and more just a click away on Celticscast! Remember to E-mail hosts@celticscast.com and be a part of the Show!

So he’s not bought out yet and he needs to be this week in order for him to play with another team (such as the Celtics) in the playoffs. It’s like the September 1st deadline in baseball - player can join the team for the stretch run just not the postseason. Here’s some coverage from LA. Also, here’s a fun Lakers-Celtics article where a Lakers writer goes wishing….Meanwhile, Marc Spears from the Globe reports
“An NBA source said that the Spurs, Rockets and Suns are now the front-runners to sign soon to be free agent guard Brent Barry. Barry will clear waivers Tuesday morning after being released by Seattle following a recent trade from San Antonio. The Celtics now seem to be a long shot.”

Seems to make sense for Houston to grab somebody if they can with Yao Ming done for the season.It’s not exactly another center but Barry could help. Personally, I don’t know how this could happen - he plays a full game two nights ago, practices fully yesterday and bam out for the season. I’m not going to question Yao playing thru pain - it’s just strange to not see him go down in a game and then be out for four months.

C’s and Cavs tomorrow and now the matchups look like this:

Rondo vs. West - Delonte is quick and a shooter but Rondo should be able to stick with him as long as he makes the southpaw go right

Ray Allen vs. Devin Brown - advantage Allen, the experience factor and really offensive talent factor sways this one. Brown’s on his 5th team in 7 years in the league by the way.

Pierce vs. LeBron - Hoo boy. Actually, Allen guarded LeBron a bunch last time they matched up as did Posey and Tony Allen. They all did the best they could but James kept hitting impossible to guard fallaways. LeBron should guard Pierce to start and Paul should try to get LeBron in foul trouble if he can.

KG vs. Ben Wallace: a physical matchup for sure: Assuming Ilgauskas plays tomorrow (he didn’t tonight with an “upper respiratory infection”), this matchup would be one to watch every time down the floor just like Amare vs. KG was in PHX

Perk vs. Ilgauskas: If Perkins can make sure he doesn’t give up plenty of offensive boards and stays with Big Z on his jumpshots, this could be a push…

Bench vs. bench: Anderson Varejou is back, Wally, Joe Smith and Damon Jones are the main threats. Another important one for Posey, Powe and Davis to matchup defensively with a lot of athletic semi-big guys that can shoot.