Wednesday, November 30, 2005

The Answer is "You Lose"!


The Celtics pulled off one of their most inspiring victories of the season in a gutsy 110-103 victory over the 76ers. Alan Iverson's 40-point effort was neutralized in the 4th Quarter by the hard defensive work of Delonte West.

Paul Pierce tossed in 32 to aid the cause of the 16-time World Champions, while little-used Kendrick Perkins came up huge with 12 points--but more importantly 19 rebounds and 4 assists. Ricky Davis added 26, and Raef LaFrentz hit a key three-pointer to trigger a Celtic run.

This was a night in which the Green had BOTH the offense and defense working together seamlessly. This, and the mental toughness to stay focused in crunch time, was the reason for this sweet "W". So, you let Iverson score 40--a TEAM effort will beat that kind of performance every time.

Sunday, November 27, 2005

The Truth "Pierces" Bobcats' Hide


Ho-hum. Another taut, last-second victory for the 16-time World Champions, this time a 90-89 buzzer-beater over the Charlotte Bobcats. Inexplicably in their new "road" unis (which, by the way, actually combine tradition, style AND coolness), the Celts erased two straight defeats with a dearly-needed victory at the Gaaden.

Raef LaFrentz added 22 points and 10 boards along with 25 points from Ricky Davis, as the Green, who won without Delonte West (hurt) or Mark Blount (DNP), improved to 5-7 and next face the Magic at home on Monday.

Monday, November 21, 2005

Ve-LOSS-o-RAPTORS Just The Ticket


What better opponent to waltz into our midst than the woeful Toronto Raptors? The Celtics took care of the winless cagers from AmericaLite with little trouble in a 100-93 win at the Gaaden. The emerging offensive duo of Paul Pierce and Ricky Davis scored 26 each--with The Truth adding 11 rebounds. Mark Blount and Delonte West also hit double-figures in scoring--with Blount nailing key buckets down the stretch.

It is still so hard to say whether this Celtic team will be as interesting to watch in the dog days of February and March, but as for right now, they sure beat the Bruins!

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Facing The Iron Now


After Sunday's electrifying win over the once mighty Rockets, the Celtics face an undefeated foe in the Pistons, and a true test of their 2005-2006 mettle. In the wake of Raef LaFrentz's astonishing 7-for-7 3-point show, the Celts will need to tighten up the defensive screws against Detroit. They were able to run wild on the slothful Rockets, but tonight will likely be a quite different story.

Thursday, November 10, 2005

A Dish In Time..............


Now that's more like it! This intriguing cadre of Celtics got it right this time, pulling out a come from behind, buzzer-beating win over Memphis 99-98. Paul Pierce had another All-Star caliber night with 29 points, 7 boards and 8 assists. But his best contribution was on assist #8, dishing off to Ricky Davis for a foul-line jumper that sealed the deal.

You start to get the sense that Doc Rivers may be molding something kind of special here. These guys (young and old, compliant and cantankerous) are listening and, as a result, playing pretty smart basketball. Solid contributions by Mark Blount (comeback player of the year so far) and Delonte West as well as great bench minutes from Ryan Gomes made this seem like a total team effort. Coming from 18 down to win this one may not presage a 17th World Championship, but it is just what the DOC-tor ordered.

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Double-Digit Disaster


Is it going to be like this all year? In another painful loss (this time in OT), the Celtics relinquished a double-digit 4th Quarter lead and fell to the lowly Bobcats 107-105. This one should have gone in the win column, as Paul Pierce knocked in 32 and young Delonte West again impressed with big plays that got the team back in the flow. Once again, the glass appears half-full, it's just that it would be nice to quench our collective thirst a couple of more times early in the year.

Saturday, November 05, 2005

What's Up, Doc??!!??


I promise I won't use the "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" line, but, WOW! Doc Rivers' decision to back off the in-bounds pass with .8 seconds left in last night's game directly led to the excruciating 82-81 loss to the Pistons. Rarely has a Garden crowd been taken from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat so dramatically in less than one second, as Richard Hamilton nailed the buzzer-beater.

Grady little-like gaffe aside, the fact remains that this young team almost knocked off a much more seasoned and talented squad. This was not your New York Knickerbockers, so take heart, Nation!

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Go West, Young Team!


The Celtic's "point-guard" controversy may have ended on opening night. Delonte West delivered a near triple-double (14-9-9) and dazzled the crowd in the Green's 114-100 overtime win over the Knicks. While "The Truth" put on his usual All-Star performance (30 points) and Ricky Davis was nearly as good (27 points), it was West who seemed to make most of the big, momentum-turning plays (from key steals to monster offensive rebounds). West, who skies well beyond his height, out-played New York's Stephon Marbury at every turn.

Other notable positives have to be Mark Blount's lethargy-free romp to a 19-point night and Raef LaFrentz's respectable 14-point effort. Five guys in double figures is a good way to win ball games in today's NBA. Hey, they may not repeat as Atlantic Division Champs, but the first act in this 2005-2006 show has us salivating for an encore.