With KG back in the mix, the Celts find their way
The Boston Celtics have lost 8 of their last 12 games. Last night’s loss to the lowly Detroit Pistons sums up the way the Celtics have been losing, and that is, starting out strong, only to fade late.
The C’s opened up the game shooting 61 % from the floor in the first half. Paul Pierce (21 points), Rajon Rondo (21 points), and Rasheed Wallace (16 points), all started off with hot-hands. Once again, it was the Celtics who led at the half (56-48), and once again, the lead evaporated in the beginning of the third quarter.
Cleveland now has a 2-game lead for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics hold a half-game lead on the Atlanta Hawks for the two seed, and the boys in green will have a critical 2-game road stretch coming up when they travel to Orlando, and Atlanta. They return to action tomorrow night when they host the Portland Trail Blazers, and look to improve their 11-7 record at home.
The Boston Bruins were blown out yesterday by the Ottawa Senators, 5-1. The Senators and Bruins are now tied for second place with 54 points.
Tim Thomas had another woeful performance, yielding three goals on nine shots before getting pulled in the second period. Thomas has been tough to figure out this season. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner has seen his goals-against average soar to 2.45, while his record is a mediocre 13-12-6. I’m not calling for Timmy to be booed out of town, because the guy has simply been a stud here for the better part of the decade. But, it’s apparent that he hasn’t been the same guy this year, and rookie Tuukka Rask is beginning to make a name for himself, posting a 10-5-2 record, with a 2.04 GAA.
The Bruins have the next two nights off before welcoming the Columbus Blue Jackets to town. The Blue Jackets are currently in last place in the Western Conference’s Central division.
The Boston Celtics were dealt their seventh loss at home this season, as the Dallas Mavericks came away with a 99-90 win. Dirk Nowitzki went off, shooting over Celtics defenders with ease, finishing with 37 points (22 in 2nd half) on 14-22 shooting from the floor.
The Celtics played well in the first half, building up a double-digit lead before settling for a nine point advantage at the break (50-41). The tables were turned in the third quarter when Rasheed Wallace picked up his fourth foul, landing him on the bench. The Celts became a lot smaller with Wallace on the bench, and Nowitzki took full advantage, scoring 14 points in a five-minute span that occurred after Wallace’s fourth foul.
Paul Pierce (24 points) and Ray Allen (21 points) fueled the scoring for the C’s, but it was the defense that had no answers for Nowitzki. Boston will look to regroup tomorrow night in Detroit.
Here are my picks for this week’s playoffs…
AFC
Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts
A lot of people are thinking the Colts are going to come out rusty (and maybe they will for a little bit), but Peyton and company have had too good of a season to get bounced early. Prediction: Colts 24-17
New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers
This is the toughest game to predict, as both teams come in playing at an elite level. It’s hard to go against the Chargers since they have won 11 in a row, but the Jets just look like a team that possesses a championship swagger right now. Prediction: Jets 20-17
NFC
Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints
Another tough one to call, but I like the Saints to upend the inconsistent play of the Cardinals. Prediction: Saints 34-24
Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings
This is the gimme of the week, as the Cowboys are rolling right now. I liked the Vikes all year, but the Cowboys present some problems. Prediction: Cowboys 28-13
The Everett Crimson Tide came out of the gates strong, building an early lead, and racing to a 64-47 victory over the Somerville Highlanders last night. Both teams made runs throughout the game. The Somerville deficit fluctuated from as many as 20 points, to as little as 8, but Everett (5-2, 3-1) proved to be too much in the end.
Rodman Noel led the host Crimson Tide with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Erno Deshommes added a double-double as well, scoring 12 points, and grabbing 10 rebounds, including a monster throw-down that had everyone out of their seats. The backcourt duo of Dequan Lee and Matt Costello, continued their strong play, adding 8 points each. Franklin Salvador scored 23 points for Somerville (4-5, 0-3) in the losing effort.
The Boston Celtics were beaten at home again last night, losing to the Chicago Bulls, 96-83. Luol Deng led five Bulls in double-figures with 25 points, including 8-13 from the field, and 9-10 at the free-throw line. Derrick Rose won the highly anticipated point guard match up, scoring 17 points, and pulling down eight rebounds.
The absence of Kevin Garnett, and Rasheed Wallace really hurt the C’s, as they were out-rebounded 50-39. The Celts appeared to be a step slower than the Bulls, losing by about ten throughout the whole game. The Bulls (17-20) basically ran the Celtics out of their own gym, and showed why the C’s need to be 100% to achieve any greatness this season.
The Celts have the weekend off before they welcome the Dallas Mavericks to town on Monday night. It’s another TNT game for the C’s, so tip-off is scheduled for 8. Rasheed Wallace is expected to return to the lineup, and his presence will be needed. The Mavs are sporting the second best record in the Western Conference at 25-13. They lost by five last night (100-95) at home against the Lakers. The Celtics will need to pay close attention to Dirk Nowitzki, who is averaging 25.1 ppg, and 8.2 rpg.
The Boston Bruins notched a big win last night, outlasting the San Jose Sharks in a shootout, 2-1. Zdeno Chara provided the heroics, scoring the only goal in the shootout. Chara scored on the 4th attempt, leaving only one chance for the Sharks to answer. Patrick Marleau had the fate of the game in his hands, but Tim Thomas (41 saves) had other ideas, denying Marleau, and putting the exclamation point on a great win at the Shark Tank.
Daniel Paille scored the game’s first goal in the second period, receiving a nice feed from Shawn Thornton, and getting a little help from the Sharks Dan Boyle, as the puck deflected off his stick, and underneath the pads of Evgeni Nabokov (30 saves). Old friend Joe Thornton tied the game later in the second, using his strength to overpower Bruins defenders, and poking in a rebound past Thomas.
The B’s will wrap up their west coast trip when they visit the Los Angeles Kings tomorrow at 4pm.
The Boston Bruins squandered a 3-2 lead in the third period, and lost to the Anahiem Ducks, 4-3. Ryan Getzlaf tied the game at 3, and Steve Eminger netted the game-winner, stuffing a rebound past Tuukka Rask (32 shots, 28 saves) with 11:53 remaining in the game.
Zdeno Chara (4), Matt Hunwick (6), and Marco Sturm (15) highlighted the Bruins scoring department. The shots on goal were just about even, with a slight edge going to Anahiem (32-30).
It was a tough loss for the Bruins, who remain in a tie with the New York Rangers for the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. The B’s return to action tonight, as they continue their west coast trip with a visit to the Shark Tank, and reunite acquaintances with Joe Thornton. San Jose currently holds a one-point lead over the Blackawks for the best record in the NHL. The puck drops at 10:30.
