Celtics-Lakers Game Highlights

Here is the game highlights from NBA TV and ESPN, including those sexy Lakers' shorts. Had they wear tight jerseys as well, they will be looked more like the Aussie Rule Football (AFL) team.

(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Celtics-Pistons Game Highlight and After-thought

If you do not have ESPN TV, like me, here is the highlight (ESPN), and more.

As expected, the game is competitive and intense as both teams treat it as a self-measuring stick for the best team in the East.

As Chris Sheridan summarises, "experience, savvy and depth" to be the deciding factors for the outcome. Early in the fourth quarter with a 4 points lead, when Doc Rivers gives Rajon Rondo (who has an impressive first-half) a rest and hands over the ballhandling to Eddie House, he could barely get the ball over the halfcourt line against the suffocating defense of Lindsey Hunter. A 9-2 run put the Pistons ahead 70-67 before Rondo returns, and Detroit never trails again.

Next crucial moment, on their final possession, it looks like the play is drawn for Paul Pierce even though he already has a tentative shooting night (instead of going to the hot-hands). I can understand this from Doc Rivers perspective and i know he is willing to live with the decision. Pierce nevertheless has missed his 15-foot fadeaway attempt from the corner, but more importantly, he shoots it too early, leaving too much time on the clock for Pistons.

Coming out from the last time-out for the final shot, when Pistons' Tayshaun Prince notices that Tony Allen has checked back in as defender, he has told Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton (knowing one of them would get the inbound) to give Tony Allen a pump fake because Tony was just coming in off the bench cold. So Doc Rivers sub pattern and defence strategy has been exposed by the experience of Pistons.

The next meeting between the two will be Jan. 6, at Detroit.

Comparing Rondo and Parker's first and current season

Further to my early post, below is a breakdown of the PGs between the new Celtics and 2002-03 Spurs.

Statistics:
__________ G -_ Min _ Pts _ Reb _ Ast _ Stl _ TO _ FG% _ FG

Rajon Rondo:
(2007-08) 20*_ 32.1_ 8.4 _ 3.9 _ 5.2 _1.70_1.70 .531 _3.8-7.2
(2006-07) 78__ 23.5_ 6.4 _ 3.7 _ 3.8 _1.64_1.76 .418_2.4-5.8

Tony Parker:
(2002-03) 77 _ 33.8 _ 15.5 _ 2.6 _ 5.3 _ 0.9 _ 2.4_.464 5.9-12.7

(2001-02) 77 _ 29.4 __ 9.2 _ 2.5 _ 4.3 _ 1.2 _ 2.0 .419_ 3.5-8.3


Current Progress:
Through Dec.11, the 6-foot-1 point guard was shooting 54.7 percent from the floor, which ranked 13th overall and first among starting guards. He is also ranked in the top 16 in steals (1.7 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9).

Rondo's leadership skill is still work-in-progress.
"Rondo is more a leader by example; he's going to work hard but you don't see him as a director. He is a little quieter and not as flamboyant as (Tony) Parker ... Parker had charisma in leading his team. "(SI).

Rondo has made two big changes in his shooting. He hasn't attempted a single three after going a senseless 6-for-29 (20.7 percent) from beyond the arc last year. He has also focused on elevating for his jump shot even though many of his attempts are uncontested as the defenses focus on Boston's three stars. Rondo tries to jump to the same height to develop consistency.


Weakness:
Rondo is converting only 48.5 percent from the free throw line, which speaks for his confidence under pressure.


History:
Rondo is drafted No. 21 in the 2006 draft. The Celtics to acquire him in a draft-night trade with Phoenix.

Parker is drafted No.21 in the 2001 draft by the Spurs.

Celtics-Sixers Game Highlight and After-thought

Before the game, Pierce scolded a couple of teammates in the locker room who having too much fun and screaming to some music. "We're trying to play a game," he said. The two players got quiet. No detail about who the two are (ESPN).

Sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic divison, the Sixers are all cited up to play the league leader. I wonder if the Celtics' sloppy performance in the first half is to do with the lack of team practice or something else. But they are able to lift it up after Doc Rivers challenge individuals to play better during half-time break.