Sunday, December 30, 2007

Captain Second Half

Paul Pierce was virtually shut out in the first half of the Celtics 104-98 win over the "most mis-named franchise in NBA history" in Utah. He came alive in the second half, finishing with 24 points and 6 boards (one a key grab at the end) to solidify the victory.

It was just the Big Two in the first half, with Tony Allen and Rajon Rondo contributing big once again.

But it was the un-sung defensive intensity of this squad (particularly Garnett and Perkins) that ultimately stopped the Jazz comeback wave. Red would be very proud to know that this resurgent Celtics team is built as much on solid defense as lights out offense. Onto to La-La Land and the perennially overrated Lakers.

Friday, December 28, 2007

Game, Set, Match Last Year's Wins

We've got 24 wins. We got 24 last year sometime in March. The 2007-8 Celtics matched their 2006-7 win total with a clutch 104-96 win over the SuperSonics in Seattle. Ray Allen's return to the land of coffee and rain was overshadowed by a massive 37-point performance by Paul Pierce.

Even Kevin Garnett had to fade into the background on this one, as Piece lit up the second half with 26 of his game-high point total.

Are this year's Cs that good, or was last year's edition that bad? Time will tell.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

4 X 20 Revenge Match

After the Orlando Magic handed the C's their first loss of 2007-2008, you knew there would be a "come-uppance". Witness the wrath of these new Celtics in their 103-91 dispatching of the DisneyBoys.

Four Celtics--count'em--four scored over 20 points. The last time that happened, Hillary was First Lady. In addition to TBT coming through,it was Rajon Rondo who filled out the ledger on this night, netting a career-high 23 points to go along with his first makes from the 3-point arc.

Dwight Howard was immense, but even he could not overcome Pierce's 24, Garnett's 21 and Allen's 22. At 22-3, this Green Team is still on pace for 72 wins--an improvement of only 48 games over last year. No wonder Doc is smiling a lot more.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Celts Trail Pats By One (At Home)

This amazing band of Celtics is still undefeated at home—now 12-0 after beating the Bucks 104-82. This one was even won without one of the NBT (Ray Allen), but many others stepped up to fill the void—particularly the other Allen (Tony) and the always improving Rajon Rondao.

Just for good measure, Captain Paul Pierce plowed in a season-high 32, while Kevin Garnett cruised with 15 and 7 rebounds. The Cs are now undefeated on the year when leading after 3 quarters—and have also yet to be beat on a Friday. This is starting to feel real, folks. Hang on tight.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

10 More Wins To Pass Last year

That headline alone should be enough to make dormant Cs fans sit up and take notice. Your Boston Celtics are now 10 wins away from surpassing last year's win total of 24.

Amazing. Just 17 games into the young season, they are on pace to win 72 games—a net gain of 48 wins.

The Green got their 15th win by hanging on to defeat the despicable 76ers, 113-103. TNBT contributed mightily to the cause—Pierce with 19 and 12 assists; Garnett with 22 points and 7 boards; Ray Allen with 12 points. But it was two of the newly invigorated other new guys who made the big shots when it counted most—particularly James Posey with 17 points and Eddie House with 15. All in all, pretty impressive. The Magical History Tour Continues!