Paul Pierce delivers in Celtics victory, 92-86

It’s only fitting that the Boston Celtics won the last game played at the Garden on Causeway Street for the season.  The win gives the Celtics a 3-2 series advantage heading back to Los Angeles.  If the Celts can win one of the next two games, they will be crowned NBA Champions for the 18th time in franchise history, a feat that many people felt was impossible given the way the Green team finished the season. 

Leading the way for the Celtics last night was Paul Pierce (27 points, 12-21 fg), who submitted his best performance in this series, and it couldn’t have come at a better time; especially with the way Kobe Bryant (38 points) was filling it up.  Pierce utilized every square inch of the parquet floorboards, from his patented mid-range step-back jumper, to the two clutch three’s, and the carving of the Lakers defense to the hole, “The Truth” had his offense clicking on all cylinders.  Basically, when Bryant went off in the third-quarter, it was Pierce who matched him at the other end. 

Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo made strong contributions as well, scoring 18 points each, while Garnett grabbed 10 rebounds, along with 5 steals and 2 blocks.  Rondo added 8 assists, to go with two outstanding defensive plays late in the fourth-quarter.  Ray Allen may have finished with only 12 points on the stat sheet, but 10 of those points came in the second half, although he is now a combined 0-16 from beyond the arc since his record-setting three-point performance in Game 2.  The “Big 3 + Rondo” had its most balanced offensive attack of the series, combining for 75 points.  

The bench may not have put up the gaudy numbers as it did in Game 4, but the likes of Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, and Tony Allen, still provided an overflow of energy that got the crowd going, and more importantly, kept the lead in tact.  It’s been the Celtics bench that has really provided the difference in these Finals.  When you have four players that can come off your bench at any time, and make an immediate impact, it’s quite a luxury to have.  

The Staples Center will be the site for Game 6, as the Lakers will look to force a Game 7.  Tip-off is scheduled for 9pm, ABC will have the coverage. 

Davis and Robinson spark Celtics win, 96-89

With perhaps the season on the line, trailing 62-60 entering the fourth-quarter, Doc Rivers opted to go with the bench to provide a lift.  Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, Rasheed Wallace, and Tony Allen combined their powers with Ray Allen, the only starter on the floor, fueling a 36-point fourth-quarter outburst that left the Lakers in defeat, and knotting this series at 2. 

You really can’t say enough about the impact this unit made in the fourth-quarter.  Kobe Bryant, who was shooting the lights out in the third, connecting on 5-6 three-pointer at this point, could not shake the in-your-jersey defense applied by Tony Allen.  TA was so tough on Bryant, that he wasn’t able to get touches, never mind “good looks”, since his off-the-ball defense should be made into an instructional video.  Then, channel TA’s effort with the unstoppable play of Davis (18 points, 7-10 fg) and Robinson (12 points, 2-4 3pt), add in a 26-footer from the top of the key by Wallace, and it was evident that this lineup was going to win the game. 

Rivers entered the starters back into the game with just under three minutes remaining, that’s when the captain Paul Pierce (19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) decided to provide the finishing blow.  Pierce appeared to be well rested from watching the bench take over, and it showed, as he immediately scored the first 5 points, finishing with 7 overall in a span of 2:18 seconds.

Tonight is the all-important Game 5, where the winner finds themselves one game away from raising the hardware.  The C’s especially cannot afford to lose this one, as they would have to win two in a row at Los Angeles to become champions, a feat that seems just about impossible.  The last home game for the Celtics this year will tip-off at 8pm, ABC will have the coverage.

Lakers steal one in Boston, 91-84

The Celtics started the game off like world-beaters, led by a furious scoring attack by Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo who appeared to start right where he left off from his Game 2 excellence.  But, the adrenaline quickly wore off, and after the Celtics led 12-5 early, the Lakers embarked on a 21-5 run to end the quarter with a 9 point lead. 

In the early going, it was Garnett and Rondo who provided the scoring, literally.  At one point they had 16 points between them, while the rest of the team was 0-13 from the field.  Paul Pierce couldn’t find his touch, and it didn’t help that he found himself in foul trouble.  Ray Allen also had a night to forget, after his NBA record-setting 8 three-point performance in Game 2, he was shutout, shooting 0-8 from downtown, and 0-13 overall, finishing with 2 points, courtesy of the foul line.  I realize you’re not going to get the performance he gave in Game 2 on a regular basis, but he continued to get great looks throughout the game, unfortunately, he was unable to connect.  Pierce eventually found his touch in the 2nd half, by way of the three-pointer no less, but the officiating would not allow him to stay on the floor for prolonged amounts of time, picking up his fifth foul just as the 4th quarter began (it was a phantom off the ball call as he and Ron Artest battled for position on the block). 

The Celtics picked up their defensive effort in the 2nd half, although they allowed the Lakers to get too many 2nd chance opportunities, and were out-rebounded 43-35.  It just hurts to lose a game like this, considering the poor shooting effort by Kobe Bryant (10-29), and limited offense by Pau Gasol (13 points).  One would assume when Bryant and Gasol aren’t clicking that the C’s would be victorious, but a combination of poor shooting from the Celts, and superhuman play from Derek Fisher, was enough to overcome.  Fisher was tremendous in the 4th, hitting an array of shots that were by no means “good looks”.  He was the reason that the Lakers won this game.  The C’s also shot themselves in the foot at the free-throw line, shooting a horrid 16-24; LA on the other hand, missed only three attempts, going 21-24.  No excuses there. 

I really didn’t expect the Celtics to win three straight at home, and they still have the chance to leave Boston with a 3-2 series lead, but they’re going to have to dig deep, because they simply cannot afford to lose two at home.  Game 4 will be played on Thursday night at 9pm, ABC will have the coverage. 

Celtics come off the mat to tie this at 1, 103-94

In most cases, when Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett only combine for 16 points on 4-16 shooting, the Boston Celtics aren’t going to be successful.  Unless of course, Ray Allen decides to go unconscious with an NBA Finals record 8 three-pointers, leading the way with 32 points.  Add-in the first triple-double in the NBA Finals since 2003, courtesy of Rajon Rondo’s 19 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists (5th career playoff triple-double), and you have a Game 2 victory in enemy territory heading back to Boston. 

Once again, it was the Officials who were whistle-happy.  The Celtics Bigs spend time relieving each other due to foul trouble, and Lamar Odom was sent to the bench early with three quick fouls, while Kobe Bryant picked up his 5th foul with 11 minutes remaining in the game.  For the second straight game, the officials made their presence felt by making nauseating foul calls, but the fact of the matter is the officials aren’t going anywhere, and it’s going to come down to the team that can overcome the calls, who will enjoy success.  

The Celtics bench was also huge in the victory.  Rasheed Wallace and Glen Davis led the relief effort, combining for 15 points, and 14 rebounds, including some great individual defense.  Tony Allen made some key defensive plays as well, coming up with two steals, and how about the six minutes that Nate Robinson provided in the 4th quarter.  Robinson entered the game at the beginning of the final quarter to give Rondo his first break of the game, and the spark-plug that wears #4 poured in 7 points, highlighted by a three-pointer, and a fast-break lay-up.  I guess you could sum up Nate’s performance as highly efficient. 

With the series now tied at 1, the Celtics accomplished the split they were looking for.  Now it’s on to the Garden, where Causeway Street will be completely insane.  Game 3 will tip-off tomorrow night at 9 pm, ABC will have the coverage.

Lakers draw first blood, taking Game 1, 102-89

If last night was a heavyweight bout, then score the knockdowns to the Lakers corner, because it was the Celtics who were sent to the canvas.  The Lakers outplayed, outhustled, and outmuscled the Celtics for 48 minutes, giving our beloved C’s a taste of their own medicine. 

They dictated the pace of the game, never allowing the Celtics to get running; although it was hard for any flow to be sustained throughout the game because the refs were blowing the whistle every other play, and I mean that for both teams.  It’s not like the Celts would’ve been able to get their transition offense going anyway, as Pau Gasol and company ate up the boards, taking a +11 advantage.  In fact, Gasol was such a nuisance on the glass, that 8 of his 14 rebounds came on the offensive end, one shy of the most boards grabbed by any Celtic (Pierce: 9 total).  The other glaring statistic was the second-chance points, that went 16-0 LA’s favor, that simply cannot happen if the Celts envision themselves raising the hardware.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 30 points, which has become routine for him throughout these playoffs (averaged 33 per game in the two previous series), but it wasn’t Bryant who killed the C’s, it was the aforementioned Gasol who kept Lakers possessions alive with rebounds and tip-in’s.  Gasol finished with 23 points, and if those numbers continue the Lakers will be going back-to-back.  Ron Artest also contributed big minutes, scoring 15 points, and connecting on 3-5 from downtown.  The wild-card Artest has proven to be a steady hand for LA this postseason, providing stingy defense, with the ability to knock down the three.

It’s only one game, and there is plenty of basketball to be played in this series.  The C’s really need to show up with a chip on their shoulder Sunday night, and get back to that physical, grind-it-out style that we know best.  The rebounding battle has to be one, and please, put a body on Gasol, I know he has a tremendous skill-set for a 7-footer, but it’s not like the guy has an imposing frame.  And for the love of Bill Russell, KG needs to turn his body of work around from now until Sunday, because 4 rebounds is inexcusable, that just can’t happen.     

The Celtics are heading back to the Finals

It’s been a little over 24 hours since the Boston Celtics avoided being a part of history, wiping the floor with the Orlando Magic, 96-84.  The joy is still plastered all over my face, my voice is raspy from the concert-like atmosphere that is TD Garden, and my Celtics are making their second NBA Finals appearance in the last three seasons.  It doesn’t get any better than this… Actually, a win over the Lakers would do just about that.  That’s right, the Los Angeles Lakers finished off the Phoenix Suns last night, 111-103, putting their stamp on another date featuring one of the best rivalries in all of sports. 

It was the captain, Paul Pierce, who made sure the Celtics weren’t going to be a part of the first 3-0 collapse in NBA history.  Pierce was “the truth”, scoring 31 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and knocking down 4 of 5 from downtown.  Ray Allen added 20 points, and Rajon Rondo finished with 14 points (12 in the 1st quarter).  Perhaps the story of the night wasn’t Pierce’s 31, or Rondo’s dominating first quarter, but Nate Robinson’s 13 points (all in just under nine minutes in the 2nd quarter) stole the headlines, and rightfully so. 

After Rondo was sent crashing to the floor courtesy of Dwight Howard, Doc Rivers opted to call on #4 to provide some relief.  Nate Robinson answered the bell and then some.  He was incredible, bringing energy off the bench that overwhelmed the Magic.  It’s not easy being lost in the rotation, finding yourself at the deep part of the bench, and then, your number’s called, and you’re expected to produce.  Robinson did just that, although, if he had just come in for the same minutes, and played turnover-free basketball, he would’ve fulfilled his role.  Instead, Robinson decided to bury the Magic, and his scoring burst all but did that.  Never mind the 13 points, Robinson stayed in Jameer Nelson’s jersey, not allowing the premier point guard to get Orlando’s offense going.  Robinson could prove to be quite the secret-weapon going forward in the Finals, but at the very least, he will be dually-noted for his performance that helped the C’s get back to the Finals.  

Game 1 of the NBA Finals will start on Thursday at 9pm, from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  All games will be played on ABC.  Let’s go Celtics! Beat LA!

Celtics face must-win situation tonight

First it was an overtime loss that escaped the Celtics grasps in Game 4, on Wednesday night, it was a 21-point beat down in the fashion of a boxing match, where the C’s absorbed body-blows and head-shots (literally), which included two concussions, and some of Glen Davis’ teeth left on the floor.  Now, it’s time for Celtics to restore order, as Game 6 returns to the Garden on Causeway Street, where the C’s once again, will try to end this series. 

Panic has started to set in throughout the Commonwealth.  In large part, due to the fresh wounds that Bruins opened up when they lost their 3-0 series lead just two weeks ago.  The Bruins lost in overtime in Game 4, and were blown out in Game 5, sound familiar.  You can see why a lot of the Boston faithful are showing their nerves, but let us remember one key thing to this equation, the Celtics are not the Bruins.  The Bruins have seen Lord Stanley’s Cup elude them for the last 38 years; the Celtics raised their 17th banner just two years ago, with just about the same cast of characters.  The Bruins have had their issues in Game 7’s the last few years; the Celtics have been involved in seven series’ that have gone to a Game 6 or Game 7 in the last two years, winning all but one.  Like I said, the Celtics are not the Bruins.

I will be taking in the action from the Garden tonight, and I simply cannot wait for tip-off.  I’m feeling good about tonight’s game.  A lot of so-called experts out there have already written off the Celtics, claiming that they’re too old, and the Magic have figured them out.  If the Magic win tonight’s game, it will not be due to the Celtics age, but the fact that the Magic were the better team.  I believe that the better team will win this series, and I’m sticking with the Celtics as the better team.  The key match up, and basically how this game will be decided, will come down to the point guard battle between Rajon Rondo and Jameer Nelson.  Rondo needs to equal Nelson’s aggression, and be the guy that he we got used to seeing in the Cavs series, and the first three games of this series.  Let’s go Celts, business needs to be taken care of tonight. 

Magic refuse to lay down, keeping series alive

Ok, so the Orlando Magic aren’t going to go home quietly.  They showed some moxy last night, and pulled out an exciting overtime victory over the Boston Celtics, 96-92.  A lot of teams in the same situation as the Magic would’ve laid down, but Stan Van Gundy and his players kept their heads, and now they return home with some much needed momentum looking to continue this series. 

The Magic were led by Dwight Howard (32 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Jameer Nelson (23 points, 9 assists), who both had their best games of the series at that right time.  Nelson was very aggressive, getting to the lane with relative ease throughout the evening.  When the defense helped on Nelson, he would dish to open teammates, most notably, Howard.  Matt Barnes and Rashard Lewis finally contributed to the cause, both reaching double figures for the first time this series; and J.J. Redick continued to be a threat from the outside, knocking down 3 3’s. 

The Celtics appeared a little flat to start the game, and it didn’t help that Rajon Rondo was limited to the bench with two early fouls.  The C’s never really established their tempo, yet were down by just four at the half, before taking a one-point lead entering the fourth.  However, it was in that 4th quarter where the Celts didn’t display that killer instinct that we expected.  They plagued themselves with turnovers (credit Orlando’s D), and shot miserably from the field.  Even with that, they still were in position to win the game when Nelson’s jumper rimmed out, and Kevin Garnett came up with the rebound.  The C’s had 15 seconds to work with, but Paul Pierce (32 points, 11 rebounds) was unable to get a shot off, turning the ball over as time expired. 

Both teams started the overtime cold, but eventually, it was Nelson who banked in a three (really?! you don’t get any luckier than a bank-shot 3), and after another failed attempt to score, Nelson buried his second three in as many trips down the floor (this one touched nothing but nylon).  Ray Allen tried to rescue the Celts, sticking his 5th three of the night, cutting the lead in half, but that was as close as it would get, and now it’s back to Orlando for Game 5. 

Celtics look to punch their tickets to the Finals in sweeping fashion

Don’t look now, but the Boston Celtics are one game away from sweeping the Orlando Magic, and advancing back to the NBA Finals.  On Saturday night, it was the Celtics who embarrassed the Magic, 94-71 (and it wasn’t even that close).  The C’s were fueled by dominating first and third quarter runs, where they held the Magic to 12 and 13 points respectively. 

Once again (like this hasn’t been a recurring theme), Rajon Rondo provided the breathtaking plays that brought the Garden crowd into a frenzy.  Rondo (11 points, 12 assists, 4 steals) was everywhere, making his presence felt offensively, and defensively.  The play of the night, and perhaps the playoffs, came when Rondo outraced Jason Williams to a loose ball, diving to the floor, and and taking the ball from between the legs of Williams, all while rising to his feet simultaneously, only to cross-over Williams and lay it in.  The crowd resembled screams only heard from a psych-ward, and the game would only get completely out of hand from this point forward.  The Celts led by as many as 32 before emptying the bench, and the Magic were able to bring the score somewhat back to earth.

Glen Davis became the fifth different Celtic to lead the team in scoring, as he poured in 17 points, leading six different Celtics in double figures.  That’s a feat that very few teams can pull off.

Can the Celtics continue to keep their focus, and avoid any such letdown that would almost be expected?  We’ll find out tonight, as the Magic look to keep their season alive.  Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 on ESPN.

Red Sox showing signs of life?

Don’t look now, but the Boston Red Sox have actually started playing good baseball.  They have won three in a row, and find themselves two games over .500.  The question that remains now, will they be able to sustain this consistent play?

The Sox have a tough 6-game road-trip coming up as they head to Philadelphia for a 3-game set to take on the 25-15 Phillies.  That will be followed with a trip to the Trop for three with the Rays.  If there are such things as big games in May, this would be it.  The Sox could start to turn the corner if they have success in these upcoming series. 

Last night, it was the ace of the staff Jon Lester, who went the distance, giving up one earned, and striking out 9, while tossing an efficient 103 pitches.  Lester was dominant, getting ahead of hitters throughout the evening, and sitting them down by way of the K.  The lefty is a big reason why the Sox are starting to look like a team, hopefully the rest of the rotation will follow.  

Tonight, it will be John Lackey (4-2, 4.86 ERA) taking the bump against Cole Hamels (4-2, 4.29 ERA) from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.  First pitch is scheduled for 7:05; NESN will have the coverage.