Celtics-Cavs Game Highlights and After-thoughts

If you have missed the game, like me, here is the highlights (ESPN).

Two after-thoughts.

It seems that Ray Allen's legs are tied towards the end of regulation, as he missed two free-flows uncharacteristicly (he has played 44 minutes up to that point). I guess his sore ankle, hurt in previous game, also making it difficult to play the long minutes. Given the Celtics' bench is thin in guard-position due to injury, let's keep monitoring how coach Doc Rivers will handle Allen's playing time tomorrow against the Knicks.

It is reported that LeBron James has been talking trash with Paul Pierce the entire second half. After LeBron James misses an 'in his face' attempt to end the regulation, he becomes more focus and asserts his dominance during OT. I know that it is only November, but Paul Pierce and his team will remember this loss.

Both teams will meet two more times during regular season, including the one coming this weekend (Dec. 2, local time) at home. I can almost sense that the Celtics will do anything for revenge.

Celtics-Bobcats Game Highlights

It's a tense game, going all the way to the buzzer (ESPN).

"Trailing by 2 points and the Bobcats inbound the ball, the Celtics needed a dumb play by Jason Richardson, a great defensive tip by Eddie House, a smart feed by Paul Pierce, and the nerveless Allen to connect from international waters, all in the last 4.7 seconds." (Boston Globe).

The New Big Three are meshing

Before the season starts, speculation is on about who will be the primary offence (Pierce or Garnett or Allen). I think the consensus concludes that it will be between Garnett and Pierce, through the high/low post, while Allen will wait for the double-team.

Bethlehem Shoals of FanHouse has posted an interesting observation. Shoals compares the New Three's game with Spurs' trio as follow,

But whereas as the serene Tim Duncan has remained the philosophical center of the Spurs, the Celts orient themselves around Paul Pierce--perhaps the most flawed of the team's trio of All-Stars ... he's expected to play to his greatest strength: Pure, unadulterated go-for-self scoring.

Even though Pierce may not be their best player, Shoals believes that the flaw in his game should be viewed as "honest, indefatigable scoring to the table, which at his level is a very valuable commodity."

We have seen how well Celtics have played so far. They won games by the margins of 20, 3, 26, 23 and 11 respectively. While Garnett has streamlined his rebounding and passing game, Pierce and sometimes Allen looks for their shots. If and when Pierce struggles, the other two compensates (Allen won it in OT in the second game).

I have to tip my hat off to Danny Ainge, who "figures out a way (bringing in two of the most adaptable all-stars) to neutralize Pierce's drawbacks while still allowing him to do what he does best".

As Shoals sums up, "that's what makes this Big Three such an ingenious combination."

Commercial ad by the New Big Three

One of the new ESPN commercial, using the movie 'Hoosiers' as storyline.






They actually have some stuff put on Jeff Van Gundy's cheeks that makes it looks like he has been crying.

Roundup the first week

As the end of first week of the season approaches, we have already been entertained with a few surprises (especially if you are fan of the Bulls, the Pacers or the Heat). But here comes an interesting one.

According to Peter May, the respectful pro-sport journalist, the #1 defensive team in the NBA, in terms of field goal percentage (35.9%), is the Boston Celtics. And not only are they tops in that category, they also were third in points allowed (article).

I should point out that Celtics have had a relative easy schedule so far (played only two games). Both wins, however, are against play-off teams with pretty good offence.

So the sign is there, with fresh legs and light travelling schedule. Let's see if they can keep this up.