Posts tagged ‘playoffs’

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.

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.

C’s up a point at the half: Doc wants more free throws and agressive takes to the hoop, Flip wants better rebounding and a quick start: I guess I noticed similar things as the coaches in the first half: mad props to Celticscast. My key is the bench, can Lindsey Hunter make an impact or Stuckey, if they can watch out.

52-46 Boston, 7:56 Left 3rd qtr.: C’s trading hoops with Richard Hamilton and then tack on a couple for good measure. I like the unselfish possessions by the Celtics - maybe too many passes but that’s better than none (hear that Cassell?). On another note, you know that sign that counts down from 16 to 1 to win the championship. Shouldn’t the Celtics have a sign with 1-16 crossed out and 17 waiting?

60-52 Boston, 2:39 left 3rd qtr: Boy this is a grinding game. Free throws really matter and Celts reached bonus with five minutes left in third quarter thanks to Pierce driving. I like the timing on taking Garnett out with an 8 point lead with 4:30 to go in the third and PJ Brown some minutes - get KG ready to play the last 8 or 9 of the game. Pierce still has the team on his shoulders with 14 pts and 5 dimes.

69-57 Celts, End of 3rd qtr.: The way Pierce is playing, he deserves to have Tommy Heinsohn ranting and raving. A great fallaway bucket and then good take that set up a Powe offensive board and foul. Eddie House finishes off the quarter in style. Play this guy!!

73-65 Boston: 8 mins to go: Doc says keep the pace. I agree - I saw Syracuse lose enough games this year trying to milk clock with less than time this left to know don’t quit your game yet.

It’s all over: 88-79 Celtics and the C’s are now 9-0 at home in the playoffs. KG had 26 but when this game was really taking its turn in the third quarter, Paul Pierce was guiding this team and he finished with 22. 27 assists on the game while the Pistons had only 15. Not bad team not bad. Have a good night everyone and we look forward to your emails at hosts@celticscast.com

Cheers!

We had a day game today so I’m settled in to watch the C’s and Pistons. By the way, Yankees are losing 10-0 to Baltimore at the start of this game and Masterson’s throwing well so we’re off to a good start tonight. As always, feel free to post comments as we roll along tonight.

8:25: The Bulls win the draft lottery. Good for them…good to see the tanking Heat not get that top pick but I wouldn’t incredibly pumped about drafting Michael Beasley for this year, like Durant he probably will need at least a year of adjustment but whoever goes to Chicago (and even Miami) should have something around them.

8:31: Cool open with historic footage: that’s what ABC and ESPN haven’t done much since they got rights to the NBA. Remember when NBC started their coverage flying thru pictures of Jordan and Bird and Hakeem and the rest of the greats in the game?

8-0 Celts, 8:30 left 1st qtr.: First look of first possession was to Ray Allen - I like it, he missed but give him a shot, KG with an open jumper and then muscling up inside for 2 quick hoops in the games first two minutes is a good sign and the Pistons jump shooting is cold (0-4), no big surprise with the long layoff after beating the Magic in 5…a good take by Ray after passing up the jump shot he could do that all day until they collapse on him and somebody will be open either way.

12-11, 3:13 1st qtr.: Boy the C’s are trying to run on almost every miss. Allen’s cold and ugly with his jump shot - airballed the leaner. I like how the Celtics are rebounding the ball early, Perkins very strong underneath (8 rebounds!).  Remember that was the key in Detroit when Big Baby dominated the fourth quarter. McDyess is hurting them, he’s pulling a KG and shooting 18 footers - Garnett’s missed three straight as they’re becoming contested…

22-17 Boston, End of 1st Qtr: Checked in on the Yankees (still down 10-0) to see LaTroy Hawkins get tossed for throwing at a Baltimore guy’s head. Way to go New York. Ray Allen drove again for a dunk after a good series by Rondo…Rajon’s holding his own against Billups one quarter in…Your first bench player in: PJ Brown. I’m pumped that Chris and I were correct in being more pumped for PJ joining the team instead of Cassell (at least for the last few games). A Tony Allen sighting also! Wow. Good.

28-24 Celtics, 8:28 left 2nd qtr: Detriot did tie it up but hasn’t led.  Pierce/Posey/Powe/PJ and House in the game for the early stint of the second quarter after Ray Allen sits down. I doubt if we saw this lineup play in an important situation in the regular season and it’s staying level. C’s still pushing the ball despite the low score…

32-32, 6:12 2nd qtr.: Two important early stats shown by the TV crew: points on free throws: 11-0 Pistons (that’s why seems like C’s are dominating more than score shows) and Celts had 13 assists on first 15 field goals: that’s what we talked about in the last cast…do it with the passing not isolation and one on one. Mystery foul on KG at the 6:12 mark and C’s are in early bonus trouble in 2nd quarter: good teams like detroit exploit this.

39-37 Pistons, 2:08 left 2nd qtr.: I’m siding with Mike Breen on the foul with the body on Perk’s ‘block’ whose foul gave the Pistons their first lead…whistle’s gettin tight and C’s aren’t hitting their free throws (3-7). Pace has slowed right to Detroit, long possessions and the Celts crisp passing has disappeared, it’s really put it in Pierce or Garnett’s hands and make them do something - not what it should be every time down. Pistons offense really flowing now with good jump shots.

41-40 Celtics at the Half: Not a bad half of basketball. The ball is really running thru Pierce so far tonight but Rondo’s doing OK. Eight bench points for the Celtics but I’d like to see House get a 6 minute stretch in the second half to give Rondo some rest for the end-game situations. Somehow I doubt that’ll happen. So much is on Garnett and Pierce’s shoulders. Back for the second half in a while.

In today’s episode of Celticscast…No Starting Five, just some C’s talk as Game Six comes up against the Cavs

The Celtics were awesome at home against Atlanta and awful on the road. So here we are three games into series #2 and the C’s were good at home and bad on the road. Am I worried that they’ll lose game four? Not really - in fact the way the playoffs are going you can chalk this one up for the Cavs and move to game five and must win that one. Can the Celtics home fans will their team into the Eastern conference finals? You know I think they can. Against Detroit - no. But in this round I think four home wins could do it just like in the first round.

Look at the other series - 14 home wins, one home loss. The Spurs lost twice on the road but won at home, same deal for the Lakers, Jazz and Hornets. It’s just making home court look bigger and bigger and do you think that the Jazz and Spurs can win a game on the road? Yes - can the Cavs do it? I don’t think so. I hope I’m not too overconfident but what does it matter if I am? Go C’s.

 Cheers

All the talk that had crept in about Kevin Garnett not being able to play in the playoffs…not being clutch. This game tonight was ugly but game one down the stretch was played in the hands mainly of two players. One made a shot to go ahead - one could not match. Kevin Garnett was strong, LeBron James was…well. 2-18 with 10 turnovers! King James had nine rebounds, nine assists and a bunch of free throws but in the end he could not tie the game after Garnett had put the Celtics ahead.

It’s game one and every game counts just as much but at least to start this series KG came up big. I’d love to see him do it in Cleveland over the weekend or again in game two but for now I’m taking it.

By the way, at least it was game one because the start of this game was so bad it would be far too far frustrating for a game five, six or seven.

Cheers!