Double OT Thriller

What a fun game to watch! As long as Memphis and Philly win, let the Celts keep playing hard.

Well, the Wolves put Garnett on Pierce and dared West, Jefferson and Gomes to beat them— and they did.

That must have been Troy Hudson’s best game in about 4 years. Nice to see Blount play like crap.

great win for the celts. delontes free throw shooting was the key to the win.

Nice game by West…. CLUTCH free throw shooting. Great game by Gomes too, makes Doc look like an idiot for starting Scal over him. Pierce’s shooting is still off, but he always does something to help the team. I think 4 guys had double doubles (PP, Gomes, Al and West). 8)

what a balanced attack!

Well, so much for the tanking… The C’s are indeed better than their record suggests. Young guys are making good progress. Bench scoring 41:11.

its fun to win this one b/c of blount and ricky…but also to introduce Garnett to the brand new Al Jefferson…If this carries on Mchale might do Garnett for jefferson…but i doubt Danny would bite.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

[url=“http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070304/capt.macs10103041912.timberwolves_celtics_basketball_macs101.jpg”You should’ve put up the pic here (even though it might be too small):[/url]

Stop the talk of trading for KG, it doesn’t make sense for anyone. Big Al has a great career ahead of him.

I do see alot of similarities to the 96-97 Spurs. This team is much better than their record because of injuries. But in the long run it may be the best thing to ever happen.

Can we stop messing with Gomes’s mind now and put him back in the starting lineup?

Bankshot, Gomes was awesome today but he earned his bench time with too many soft games. Give Doc credit for sending the message that hard play gets minutes, as Gomes got today. Scal at the end was the only one that hassled Garnett. Scal is a pretty good role player. Great win. I thought yesterday’s game was most fun. This was better. Delonte’s free throw shooting did win the game. He was clutch.

I don’t think doc will tinker anymore with his starting line up of Scal over Gomes as it has given them a 4 game winning streak..the whole point of actually puttng Scal in the starting unit is for us to tank it slightly but not obvious, yet the team b/c of Al still finds a way to stay in the game the first half when you could sometimes hardly see PP’s presence.

Scals gets a bum rap. He is a good role player on a good team. In a few years when we are winning playoff games he will be a glue guy, much like Gomes. And his money isn’t as crazy as everyone is saying (3 mil a year). I still don’t understand Powe, if hard play gets minutes he should play.

I think Gomes has had a little fire lit under him. Because we’re out of the playoffs, maybe this is a way for Doc to keep guys motivated? There’s no other logical explanation for starting Scal. Then again, it’s Doc.

On the flip side, a game like this shows we really need Tony Allen to recover or to pick up a defense-oriented free agent. Athletic shooting guards like Ricky have been lighting us up all year.

There is a common conception that blogs are for the fans to vent and a suspicion that blogs do more harm than good through misinformation re; Maxwell’s over-blown comment.

Nowhere has it been said that blogs may actually be providing a service beyond educating the “faithful” followers. There are so many high I.Q. comments and instuctive critiqes put forth identifying what ails the struggling Celtics. One wonders how often newsmen, players, and even coaching staff quietly tune in to blogs when desperation or curiosity cries for relief.

Bloggers have severely critized Doc (and staff) for not emphasing defense. Gomes post-game comments centered on the new point of coaching emphasis….DEFENSE! If any one aspect of the Celtic’s recent success can be identified, defense has to be “front and center” in that our shooting percentage has been underwhelming during our 4 game win streak.

While Doc has given “lip service” to defense in the past, we are seeing a new commitment to the concept. Another oft mentioned comment has been our inability to break or penetrate a zone defense. That was addressed at half time in that “ball movement” (and player movement) instead of holding the ball is the order of the day.

True, we need an outside game to complement Jefferson’s inside game but the lack of success in an opponent’s defensive scheme opens up the whole gamut of offensive options.

Our recent successes seem to have envigorated our whole squad and developed a team unity and trust through effort and commitment to winning. None of this may be true, but it sure seems like it!

4 Game streak feels good. now if they can start doing that against good to very good teams, that will be the next step. So far they’ve beaten less than that during the streak. One thing to take note of is that they are beating teams with veterans (some very good to great vets) on the floor at the end, which is further reason to doubt the need to trade youth for vets—>just need to let the kids develop naturally unless an overwhelming deal is offered by someone else.

Best part about today’s game is PP didn’t have to carry them at the end or in either OT which is why they were able to pull it out. Defense was much improved at the end too, another reason behind the victory.

I think we’ve really learned a couple things this game:

1. Al Jefferson is obviously “just another 20-10 guy.”
2. It’s apparent now that Gomes will never be anything than just a “role player” on a team.
3. We clearly over value the youth on this team since they’re nothing better than “subs on any other team.”

uh -hunh . . .
I’ll take Al over any other 20-10 post guy 27 and under. If Gomes is a “role player” you’ve got a pretty frippin good role player in a guy who gives you a double double.
If West isn’t a legit starter, and Gerald isn’t going to be a star . . . then I’ve been really missing something the last 40yrs or so.

NIce to see them pull out some wins in close games for once instead of blowing it. They nearly did though. PS- The refs were clueless on Ricky’s 3pt attempt, but we’ll take it!

It’s almost a shoo-in, Memphis will get the most shots at #1…Please God, let Philly at least keep winning…It’s 1 or 2 that count in this game of chance…I really don’t know what to think about the C’s coming together somewhat at this time, but to lose on purpose is against the basketball Gods (if of course Gods exist at all)…
“To Tank, or not to Tank.” That is the question that roams around in the mind of every Celtic player, coach and fan…The player’s answer seems obvious, thus far.

I am glad that we won 4 in a row. We will still probably play 500 the rest of the way. Delonte needs to look for his shot more. Only 1 attempt in the first half. Needs to play off guard more. This group has potential with another coach. Sorry, Doc is just not the right man.

Speaking of Maxwell, I listened to much of this game in the car and those two need to get over themselves. The broadcasts was riddled with snide references to bloggers and the heat Max got (violet palmer was working this one). IMHO, they should be more professional and just call the game.

am i seeing something or not? gomes looks a bit slimmer lately, and if he is, it is helping him. his movement seems quicker. al is something else. i am not a doc man at all, but his post game comment on the verbal bullcrap between players was right on. let the final score speak for you.

gee, only 1 doc-basher after a 4-game win streak?
and thats for not starting a guy that came off the bench to play 50 minutes and go 21-17-5.

“STOOOPID boston fans” – m.vaugn

it is sooooo good to see the celtics win. and it is amazing what a 4 game winning strike does to the general demeanor and tone of the posts here. 4 in a row, life is good again.

These kids are showing a lot of heart and that is important. I was looking at the remainder of the schedule last night and unfortunately it’s not hard to imagine them getting on a run and going like 15 – 8 or 12 – 11.

If that happens it’s a safe bet that Philly, Atlanta or even Milwaukee goes into intentional tank mode and we end up with the third or fourth worst record in the league. Which would suck. That said we are due for a break with the basketball gods and the association would be better off with a strong Celtics Franchise.

btw…i kind of liked the old design of this site better. Maybe it just takes some getting used to.

Great win, but let’s not get carried away. There were clouds in that silver lining.

1. There were numerous defensive lapses. Gomes just waived at Ricky Davis, and Pierce had serious defensive issues too. Just get those two matadors a couple of capes. Hudson was running West off multiple picks at the top of the key. He’d fight through one, and then Hudson would crossover and run him off another. It took them three quarters to figure out how to defend it. And you don’t switch at the top of the key when West is going to end up with Garnett.

2. West played a great second half, but what about the first half? He did way too much dribbling, caused in part by the other 4 guys just standing around, but also by his own indecisiveness. Why should it take 10-12 seconds to get into the offense? By that time, a team like Phoenix is already back on defense after having shot the ball twice. If the Celtics had a fast break point I don’t remember it.

3. Gomes had a foul to give on two occasions and failed to do it, giving up game tying shots. I also blame Rivers. If Gomes isn’t quick enough to catch his man and foul, why not put Rondo in to give the foul?

4. Horrible play by Pierce at the end of the first overtime. He had two guys on him, one of whom was Garnett. Instead of dishing to a wide open West (who had inbounded the ball) he took a ridiculous 35 foot fallaway jumper.

5. Scalabrine played the worst half of basketball in the history of man, and you knew he was going to have a bad day after the first three minutes. Why not start Powe and let him bang people? Powe gets six fouls. Use them.

6. The Celtics benefitted from two gift calls, one where Davis was fouled shooting a three, and another where he was fouled by Pierce driving the lane. Davis then bowled into Jefferson, which was a clear offensive foul, but I guess the officials decided that the two fouls cancelled each other and there was no call. Unbelievable.

7. The only guy who played a relatively mistake-free game was Jefferson. He missed a couple of rotations, but for the most part he was where he was supposed to be on defense. And he knew just what to do when single-covered by Blount. Rivers’ offense is very poorly designed when it comes to Jefferson. It’s too difficult to get him the ball. Didn’t Rivers ever hear of a baseline pick?

I could go on… but that’s enough for now.

lovethecees, don’t say that!…Don’t even think it for a moment…We need reverse Karma around here, and Philly is up big over NJ right now with 8 minutes left…There’ll be no tanking (except for Memphis’ beautific walze: West, LA, the celluloid heroes…) Philly is our only worry from above…I truly feel that way, and Philly won’t tank, just as we won’t…That’s a pitiful fact…Just a second, I’m going back to the Philly game. I’m insecure…OOOps! Philly by 10 with five to play…getting close….HHHHHHrrrruuuummmmpppphhhh!

Offensive rebounds!!! 23-6!!! 18-13 minus in turnovers. Not great but not killer. Weird game. They shot 50% to our 45 but with our plus 17 on extra shots you’d think we win by a lot more. But we both had 88 attempts. ? They had more 3’s but we got them at the line. Still a good win especially cause Blount and Ricky can dance all the way back to Minny. Brick is right though, we need someone who can cover guys like Davis and it won’t be Pierce or Gomes. How about Corey Brewer

Well it will be an interesting month and a half…In my heart, I feel that the next six weeks are perhaps the most important six weeks in Celtic history since 1986 and the last championship…Even the Duncan sweepstakes wasn’t like this one cause, you see, most of us thought it was a sure thing, or close to it…and in this one, the kids might not even come out…Holy leaping jehosephats!!! May the leprechaun revive himself…Hopefully our dues are paid in full!

What are you guys talking about?!! Only 11 games out of the playoffs with 23 to play. It ain’t over til the fat lady sings.

Love winning, love winning, love winning.

Strange, but it beats losing everytime in my mind.

Did not get to see the game live, but I can’t wait to see a replay, it sounds like a corker with a fair bit of feeling.

At the moment everyone is contributing to some degree with different folks turning up the volume on different nights. This is how you become a formidable team, when there are many weapons and a team can beat you in many different ways.

Big Al, wow !!! I presume that was against KG. If anyone thinks this guy is tradeable, they need to give themselves an upper cut.

This young man represents the future and in the highlights I saw, I loved the look he gave Skippy, pure gold.

Al is on his way to becoming an All Star, I have now annointed him the status of genuine NBA player / threat.

This is fun to watch, the kids coming together.

Let’s keep on winning, it feels soooooooooo good.

Hat tip to Ryan and DWest, they are some impressive stats right there and great to see Gerald chip in again.

Cheers

Aussie

Nice win, Violet or not. Great overall effort. Whatever happened to Mike James? Wasn’t he a decent guard at some point? A least he could hit some shots. Nice to know Blount’s stayed consistant: 12pts, 3 boards, 0 ast, 0 blocks, 2 to, 6 pf.

i was at the game, so i’m curious – did mike and/or tommy say anything about blount skipping down the court after hitting a jumpshot in the first overtime? what a class act that dude is – 12/3 and 6 fouls in 36 minutes, and he prances around like he just landed halle berry.

oh fantastic game for celtics, they really want the victory
thanks men
just do it again ;D ;D win win ;D

I think I like the “old new ball” Celtics better than the “new old ball” team. There is a plot going on here. The Cardiologist Union has slipped someone some money$$. I’ve heard that visits to Cardiologist’s offices this morning are up by 60%. And how about that late shot by Big Al when he was pushed off the floor (no call of course)in the 2nd OT.

LuckyNumber07 said:
  “Whatever happened to Mike James? Wasn’t he a decent guard at some point?”
————————————————————————————————
That’s what happens when you overpay a mediocre vet. Thank you Danny for not falling into this trap.

From Bullpett’s Herald article today
    "The Celts then finished the second OT with an 11-2 run, finally getting stops on Garnett, who had hit three of the Wolvesâ€â"¢ first four shots in the session. Brian Scalabrine credited Rivers. The idea was to get Scalabrine on the big man, but Minnesota kept running him off picks.
    [â€Å"Doc sniffed it out,” Scalabrine said. â€Å"He had Paul take Kevin and had Delonte switch off (with Scalabrine helping from the weak side). It allowed me to guard Kevin, and thatâ€â"¢s when we got those three stops in a row, which allowed us to go down and build the lead.”]
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Can someone besides me give Doc a little credit here? And what about Scals. A coach can coach when players execute. When players execute we can win games. That’s what happened here.

Incidently, my favorite moment of that game was when Al scores against Blount in the post in Overtime, and then give MB a look that says “Eat that, you sour old $&#*&^$#!”