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.

Celtics-Spurs Game Highlight

The winning record against the Western teams is still intact. Watch highlight (NBA TV).

Take a look at the defence stats, the Celtics kept the Spurs shooting at 44.3% overall, in which Tim Duncan is 10/20 and Manu Ginobili at 7/15. This is without the presence of Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins.

Their replacement have played a solid game, by being physical defending Duncan and to avoid getting into foul trouble. In particular, Glen Davis has 8 rebounds (he also contributes 9 points and 3 steals). But it is his intangible play that is significant (read Steve Weinman's article). Tony Allen comes off the bench to help harass Ginobili into six turnovers.

(Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Doc Rivers' strategy of running game works very well, relying on young legs helped the Celtics to take 18 fast-break points. Rondo has 12 rebounds and 11 assists (only 1 turnover).

"We could not win this game if the pace slowed down at all," Rivers said. "We're not going to win a half-court game against the Spurs because we didn't have a post presence."

Comparing Celtics new roster with 2002-03 champion Spurs

The more i compare both teams, the more similarity i see in them. Make me wondering whether Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers are thinking along the same path.

The 2002-03 champion of the Spurs is very different from the team that has won the title a few years earlier. Building a team around the twin-tower of Duncan and Robinson, second-year French star Tony Parker (drafted in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft) is the starting point guard. The squad also features a variety of newly acquired three-point shooters, including veterans, Danny Ferry, Steve Kerr and Steve Smith , swingman and defence specialist Stephen Jackson and Bruce Bowen, and a rookie Manu Ginobili (1999 second-round draft choice playing in his first NBA season). The current roster of Celtics features the trio of Peace, Garnett and Ray Allen, with Rondo and Perkins likely be included to the starting five.

When i compares the two rosters, i see similarity in both building a winning team of similar game (the inside-outside threats) with players of similar skills. Spurs have Duncan and aged Robinson inside complementing each other's play, surrounded by mixed of shooters newly joined the team that year. Celtics have Pierce and Garnett working on the low/high posts and complementing one another. Interestingly either one can also switch and engineer offence from perimeter (or penetration). Of course Ray Allen is their other alternative from perimeter. You may argue that there is a gap in terms of the quality of shooters, in favour to Spurs. I agree. So is Danny and Doc, and that's why they're trying to land another shooter like Reggie Miller.

Another similarity is the starting point guards of both teams, both in their second NBA season with certain limitation, Parker's penetration and sometimes inaccurate jump-shot, and Rondo's shooting skill. Among their other difference, i think the most important one is prior playoff experience, which matters during playoff time.

Both teams have chemistry uncertainty to deal with. Spurs have nine new players then and likewise for Celtics. On hindsight we know how well it works out for Spurs. i sense the same outcome will happen for Celtics, with the leadership of Garnett and Peace and their complementing personality (more detail can be found through google search). i also like Ray Allen and Perkins with their team-first attitude. Overall i like the roster that Danny has put together.

Completing my comparison, the defence standpoint also draws some similarity. Spurs' defence covers almost everywhere from perimeter to the paint. The only weak area may be Parker's defence skill and is often explored by the opposing team with bigger guard. On contrary Rondo's defence skill is supposed to be his strength. Celtics' roster also have filled with players with pretty good defence skill. With Garnett and Perkins filling the paint and backing up by Pollard and Powe, Peace is now focusing his training in perimeter defence and Posey will be joining him to strengthen this catagory. My BIG question mark, however, is how well they gels together in team defence, especially in transition and against point-guard with great passing skill.

If they can deliver soon enough, say within first two to three months into the season, i like Celtics' chance to reach the Conference Final.