Celtics-Cavaliers Playoff (Game 1) Highlight

With Ray Allen failing to score and Paul Pierce getting just 4 points, the Celtics find a way to win the game. That's playoff basketball.

Watch game highlight (NBA TV) and post-game press (NBA TV).



Celtics' team defence crowds LeBron James into shooting 2 for 18 (12 points), while keeping the rest of the Cavs in-check, especially 3 Points FG (22.2%).

Kevin Garnett scores 28 to make up for an off-night for the rest of the Big Threes. Rajon Rondo scores 8 of his 15 points in first quarter, and Sam Cassell scores 8 of his 13 points in the fourth.

Celtics-Hawks Game (Round 3) Highlight

The Hawks are likely to face the Celtics for the first-round playoff. Doc Rivers said the Hawks will not be an easy playoff opponent. "They’re athletic as heck. We’ve struggled with athletic teams ..."

Watch highlight (NBA TV).

It is Sam Cassell (20 points, 5 assists) and Celtics' second unit help to win the game, combined with some regrettable substitution by the Hawks. For the past 4 out of 5 games, Rivers have played the second unit for the entire fourth quarter (keeping the starters minute to down to below 30).

(Photo by Matt Stone)

"I am going to play next year, right here," Cassell said. "As long as Doc is running this ship, I ain't going nowhere. "When asked why he is confident Boston will re-sign him, Cassell said, "If they can find a better backup point guard than me, I'd like to see it."

Celtics-Spurs Game (Round 2) Highlight

The anticipated match-up could potentially be a preview of the playoff Final, featuring Garnett vs Duncan; Rondo vs Parker; Ray Allen vs Ginobili; Pierce vs Bowen and the Celtics' bench vs the Spurs' bench.

It has not disappointed. Watch highlight (ESPN, NBA TV).

(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Trailing by 22 early in second quarter, Celtics' energy and defence help them to get back in the game. Sam Cassell gets 12 in that quarter and cut the margin to 10. Rondo then picks it up in the third quarter. He gets 12 of his 20 and close the gap to 2.

Cassell’s 3-pointer with 46 seconds left gives the Celtics the lead for good, and Rondo adds a huge offensive rebound and hit two free throws after Cassell’s 3.

As for the match-up of PGs, Rondo has edged out Tony Parker on both ends of the court. Still, Parker is able to make a uncontested layup in the final seconds to make it a 2 points game.

Impact of Sam Cassell

Cassell's knack is hitting big shot. Celtics will need him when they struggle, especially in the final minutes of a close game. His size provides better match-up against bigger, more physical guards like Chauncey Billups. While he may be slow to guard quicker guards, the front line could protect him. With his relationship with Garnett back in Minnesota and with Ray Allen back in Milwaukee, he should fit-in quite nicely.

Bill Simmons thinks that Cassell is unique. "Sam casting his shadow over everyone and everything. There's nobody in the league quite like him. He knows everyone on every team, every referee, every coach ... He's constantly working the crowd, the officials, even other players. He's always up to something ... Sometimes he dribbles upcourt, notices a defender innocently running back to the other end, then lurches into the guy and flops to the floor (always drawing a foul)."

There is, however, some reservation. "Cassell's arrival could ruin Rajon Rondo's confidence, which is in the process of being battered by Doc Rivers' penchant for yanking his minutes around." It will be interesting to see how Rondo handles it.

The best-case scenario would be the Rondo-Cassell tandem working like Tony Parker and Speedy Claxton of the 2003 Spurs. Remember the '03 Spurs -- they had Duncan in his prime, Robinson at the end of his career, a not-quite-ready Manu Ginobili, a hit-or-miss second-year point guard (Parker) and a bunch of role players. Claxton's ability to right the ship during Parker's off-nights plays a significant role in winning the championship.