POST GAME NEW JERSEY

Lot of energy by everyone tonight. You know the Celtics were on their game with 40 rebounds, 35 assists and shooting 51.7% from the field. KG is putting up monster numbers 20 pts, 10 rebounds and a +25. Has Kg found the fountain of youth?

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Next Game Sunday 1pm NY Knicks on ABC

POST GAME RECAP - WEEI 850

FAST BREAK: RONDO, HEADBAND OF BROTHERS TAKE DOWN NETS
By Ben Rohrbach


Rajon Rondo has rarely worn a headband since NBA commissioner David Stern issued a rule against wearing the logo upside down (a slight to Lakers legend Jerry West) at the start of last season, but the Celtics point guard sported his good luck charm backwards against the Nets in a 107-94 win over the Nets.

Perhaps Rondo needed a change of scenery after all the recent talk of him maybe getting … well, a change of scenery before the March 15 trade deadline (a notion C’s president Danny Ainge denied on Thursday). Whatever the case, the three-time All-Star floor general submitted his second straight sublime performance, amassing 14 points, 13 assists, five steals and two rebounds just two nights after recording his third triple-double of the season.

Likewise, Kevin Garnett (20 points, 10 rebounds) — one of few Celtics regulars sans headband — continued his productive stretch, dropping at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in two straight games for the first time in exactly one year. Paul Pierce (27 points) led five C’s scorers in double figures.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Meet the press: As the Celtics outscored the Nets 29-20 in each of the first two quarters, they showed a different look — albeit one most middle school teams run on a regular basis. Still, the C’s 2-1-2 and 2-2-1 fullcourt presses confused New Jersey to no end, resulting in five first-half Rondo steals and a 14-0 advantage in fast break points by the break.

Seeing Green: There’s nothing like a little Gerald Green defense to help Pierce bust out of his recent offensive struggles (39.5 FG% in February). The captain abused the former Celtics first-round draft pick — and any other Nets wing who guarded him — in the early going, finishing the first quarter with nine points on 4-of-7 shooting (1-2 3P) and four assists. When Pierce plays well, generally so do the Celtics, and Friday night was no different.

Ball protection: The Celtics committed just two turnovers in the first half. Repeat: Two, leading to zero Nets points. Considering his team entered the game averaging 15.6 turnovers (good for 23rd in the NBA), coach Doc Rivers had to be pleased his team finally cleaned up an issue he’s had to address after most of their 17 losses.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Dr. Doolittle: Reserve guard Keyon Dooling has already fallen behind Avery Bradley on the depth chart, but the Celtics have few other options in the way of backup guards, particularly with Ray Allen sidelined by an illness. Two wide open missed corner 3-pointers in the second quarter drew a wince from the Garden crowd and even Dooling himself. That’s just the way this season has crumbled for the veteran.

Tapping that Bass: The Celtics finished 1-5 in Bass’ recent six-game absence, so needless to say the Celtics need Garnett’s frontcourt partner in the lineup, especially with Jermaine O’Neal unavailable for the foreseeable future. Bass picked up three fouls in less than 10-first half minutes, forcing Greg Stiemsma into more action.

Another turd quarter: About those turnovers. The C’s coughed the ball up seven times in the third quarter, leading to nine Nets points. Luckily, the Celtics owned a lead as large as 26 points, so New Jersey’s mini 11-2 run — highlighted by back-to-back Green and Jordan Farmar steals at halfcourt — didn’t make much difference in the long run. Still, it marked a brief reminder of the lazy lulls that have plagued the Celtics throughout the 2011-12 NBA season.

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TRADE UPDATE

WOJNAROWSKI ON D&C: NO BIG DEALS FOR C'S
By: Jerry Spar

Yahoo! Sports NBA writer Adrian Wojnarowski joined Dennis & Callahan Friday morning to discuss the trade rumors surrounding the Celtics, specifically concerning point guard Rajon Rondo. Wojnarowski said not to expect a big deal from Celtics president Danny Ainge before the trade deadline.

"I just don't know what large thing is out there for them to do," he said. "I think Danny's going to try, and he's ready with any of the Big Three to make a move if they can get them maybe some picks down the line, a good young player for down the line. But right now, whatever that is, I don't think it's shown itself. And as for Rondo, I don't see that happening."

Wojnarowski said Ainge might be asking teams what they would offer for Rondo in an attempt to determine the guard's trade value going forward, but that's different than actively "shopping" him. "Boston's not doing that with Rondo," he said, noting that it's unlikely the guard will be moved this month.

"He's got a very good contract," Wojnarowski said. "The Celtics re-signed him on a favorable contract that they're going to use at some point -- you're hoping if you're Boston that you're going to use him at some point as part of a package to bring in a big star player. Whether that's somebody that's trying to force his way out of another market, whether it's a Chris Paul or Dwight Howard. That's the kind of player Boston has pursued in trades and has used Rondo for. That's what makes sense with him. He's there to be part of a bigger package for a superstar, for a franchise player. They're not going to trade Rajon Rondo for spare parts or just to get rid of him. That's not going to happen."

Added Wojnarowski: "They're not going to trade him unless they get a superstar back. So, that probably tells you they're not going to trade him, because that kind of player is not available to them right now."

One popular rumor had the C's considering sending Rondo to the Lakers for Pau Gasol.

Said Wojnarowski: "I think that LA certainly wants a point guard, there's no question. I know Kobe [Bryant] loves Rondo, and he'd love to play with him. I've also been told, for all the talk about that Gasol [rumor] … I've been told the two teams never ever discussed -- LA had never called Boston and they've never discussed it. I don't think it's anything that's really based in any reality."

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UPDATE ON JON - O'NEAL CONSIDERING SURGERY ON INJURED WRIST
By: Paul Flannery

The Celtics have been without Jermaine O'Neal since Feb. 20 and he missed his fourth straight game against the Nets on Friday night. O'Neal is considering having surgery on his injured left wrist.

"He’s thinking through his options," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "He’s going to have to have surgery it looks like at some point. He’s got to figure out if he can get through it or not. We’re just going to wait and see what he decides."

O'Neal saw a specialist on Monday and is continuing to gather medical information. There's a chance that if he has surgery he would be out for the rest of the season.

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Pregame: Ray Allen (illness) out vs. Nets

By Chris Forsberg

BOSTON -- Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen will sit out Friday's visit from the New Jersey Nets due to an illness. Mickael Pietrus will take his spot in the starting lineup.

Allen has now missed five games this season, three due to a jammed left ankle suffered in late January. Ironically, he also sat out the Nets' last visit to Boston on Jan. 4 due to flu-like symptoms.

Doc Rivers, who spoke extensively about what he dubbed "silly season" and the trade rumors that swirl at this time of year, laughed and couldn't help but agree when a reporter told him that Allen's absence would probably start a batch of trade scenarios for the veteran guard.

The bigger concern for Boston is making sure the rest of the locker room doesn't come down with the same illness. With 17 games in March, sick players could wreak havoc on the the team.

Rookie E'Twaun Moore is active for Friday's game. Allen joins the inactive list alongside center Jermaine O'Neal, who Rivers said is expected to seek more opinions on his ailing left wrist while contemplating if he can play through the pain the rest of the season. O'Neal will need surgery on the oft-injured wrist at some point after electing to skip it this past offseason.

Hi,
It was a solid game.
I wonder who's idea it was to isolate DWill?
Once again, I'm really impressed with MP - what a great pickup by DA.
PP thankfully got his shooting touch back.

Now big question what DA is going to do about JON when it almost certain that he's out for the rest of the season? Buy him out? I wonder if there's any way they can swing some kind of trade to get Odom?

AK

Can we can this game and keep bringing it back when we need it? Yeah, I know it was just the Nets, but still...

Three straight 29 point quarters for the Celts, shooting 50% or better in all of them and relatively few turnovers. 28fga in the 1st quarter and another 20 in the 2nd. That's an efficient (and prolific), winning offense.

1. Pierce led the Celts with 27 on 10-14 shooting. 13 of those points came in the 3rd quarter with 8 of those while being guarded by our longlost deer, Gerald Green. Green had his highlight film plays, but he still gets lost on set defensive rotations. He scored some points off of steals in the final 2-3 minutes of the 3rd but otherwise Pierce owned him. I suppose I should be happy for the kid, to get yet another chance in the NBA (he's already been with Boston, Minny, Houston, Dallas and was cut in pre-season by the Lakers), but I hate dumb players who exist solely on their athleticism while basketball geniuses get cut because they don't play above the rim. Ok, so I'm a cold-hearted bastard (or batard).

2. Our bench played very well, I thought, with one exception.

Another solid game from Wilcox. It's amazing the difference between our team when he runs and when he doesn't. We are sooooo much better when he runs. I don't care if he ever takes another halfcourt shot as long as he runs. It completely screws the other teams' big men up.

I liked Sasha's game too. Not a big scoring one, but very sticky defense. Two steals, harassing on the offensive boards and generally heady play. I especially liked that he got the ball out in the corner and, instead of settling for the 3, he drove to the hoop (getting fouled). Remember how effective Tony Allen was when he slashed? That's Sasha. Not as quick, certainly not as athletic, but bigger and stronger than TA and able to overpower his man. Sasha and Bradley are both excellent baseline backdoor cutters. Doc should run those plays for both of those guys. Bradley has figured that out, and runs them more. Sasha needs to have the lightbulb go on over his head now.

Mike Fratello was the Nets color announcer. A bit of a whiner on fouls (he didn't say boo in the first quarter when Rondo was getting slammed repeatedly but wondered why the refs were swallowing their whistles later) but he definitely knows his b-ball. He and the play-by-play announcer both said that Bradley is "one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the league". The kid has earned himself a rep, and a good one at that. Bradley has figured out what he's good at, ball-hawking and baseline cutting, and he developing confidence in things he's not good at, outside jumping and floor generalship. In the Milwaukee game KG helped him by calling out the plays for him, but at some point Bradley is going to have to assert himself there. More evidence that Doc's playbook isn't for newbies. Still, 3 assists and no turnovers for Bradley in 13 minutes as well as his usually disruptive defense.

Steamer was slow on one defensive rotation but otherwise played a solid game. 6 rebounds, 2 offensive, 1 steal and a block in 13 minutes. He didn't hit a shot, but I don't care. What matters is that he took them. He needs to keep taking them. His name is Greg Stiemsma and he's a shooter.

JJJ and Moore didn't get to play much. JJJ did some good while Moore looked shaky at point.

The one exception to an otherwise glowing report card for the bench was Keyon Dooling. 2-10 from the floor, 0-5 from 3, not particularly impressive defense. The bottom has dropped out from underneath the veteran's scoring. He did have 5 assists and only 1 turnover, so I guess I gotta give him some props. When we got him he was billed as a "defense first, non-shooting guard". He had some good shooting games but not recently. As far as defense goes, he's behind Bradley, especially on-the-ball defense.

3. Wow, that was a lot of writing for just 2 points. I guess I had a lot to say about the bench. Brook Lopez is a smooth offensive player. Very tough to stop. He led all scorers with 28 points. Defensively, he's a door. Cowens and I discussed his merits on the game-on thread last night (btw, we had a nice showing there). I suggested that, if Lopez was on a team that didn't need him to score he'd play better defense. Who knows, but he sure didn't play much last night. Only 3 rebounds, by a 7 footer. KG didn't score as much as him, 20 points on a very efficient 10-13 night, but KG had 10 boards and anchored a ferocious defense.

4. Speaking of our defense, we were something else last night. Other than Lopez, we completely discombobulated the Nets offense. Deron Williams never knew what hit him. Rondo seems to disappear when he's playing against other elite point guards, but not last night. We hit them with a trap and created turnovers that we scored off of. To play a trap, you have to be athletic and run, since when the trap is broken your baseline defense is vulnerable. We did a great job trapping last night. Is Doc going to stick with it? Knowing Doc, it probably depends upon the opponent du jour, but it sure worked last night like a charm. Comparing point guards: Deron had 12 points on 4-9 shooting, 8 assists and 4 TOs and a steal. Rondo had 14 points on 7-16 fga, 13 assists and only 2 TOs and 5 steals.

5. People gotta let it go about Kris Humphries. Since when did Kim Kardashian become such an object of pity and sympathy? The man's averaging a double-double for the Nets. Is he so different that he likes big boobs and air heads? Let he who is without sin, in this regard, cast the first stone, I say. Me, I'm empty-handed.

6. At one point, probably midway through the 3rd, Fratello mentioned that the Celtics had 12 points fastbreak points and the Nets had none. Zero. Bupkiss. More than halfway through the game. You can't realistically expect better transition defense than that.

7. Another point mentioned by Fratello (and like I said, his whining coaching ways aside, he does know his hoop) is that the Celtics had a 78% assist-to-fgm ratio. He marveled at that, and so should we. We had 35 assists. That's a ton of assists. We're hard to beat when we're playing that kind of Celtic basketball.

8. Hell, we even outrebounded them, 40-39. How much more proof do you need that life was good on Celtics Planet last night?

A matinee game against the Jeremy Lin-led NY Knicks on Sunday (I love being able to call them anything besides the "Carmelo Anthony-led Knicks") and then our last game of our last homestand of the season against Houston on Tuesday. We need to play well and hopefully win these because on Wednesday we hit the road in Philly for a BIG game. We have NO more back-to-back home games left this season. This is where Champions start to step up.

bob

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Great game.....Bob summed it up well.

Bring on the Knicks.

Pietrus post-game interview, guaranteeing a championship. Great pickup by Danny.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=suRtUF9fY8o[/youtube]

Bob, Regarding big boobs and air heads, A recent survey of British women revealed that 30% would prefer to have bigger boobs and be less intelligent.

worcester wrote:Bob, Regarding big boobs and air heads, A recent survey of British women revealed that 30% would prefer to have bigger boobs and be less intelligent.

For the 30%, it sounds like half of their wish is already fulfilled.

Worcester, sounds as though the 30% already got the second half of their wish.

Great to spend time with you, Pete and Donna the other evening. Now that was a lot of fun...and great conversation. Pete has probably written you already about the great results he's getting from your suggestion about upping his fish oil dosage.

Sam

BobH,

As I'm sure you know, there's a school of thought that believes a steady diet of road games can be conducive to maturation of team chemistry. While some of the benefits involve social integration, the theory is that, in the absence of home distractions the players develop much stronger focus on the quality of their play (including team play).

One can only hope.

Sam

Outside and Sam, Yes, apparently they've gotten half their wish. I was amazed to read that survey.

Sam, Yes, it was great to hang out with you and Pete. Can we take credit for setting the Celts on this 3 game win streak?

Hey, sounds like you guys bosom buddies?

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small bosoms... we're very intelligent

Well, that snappy repartee was a great eye-opener this morning, as we prepare for the second leg of our trip back to Cape Cod. We'll probably be traveling through Pennsylvania during the Celtics' game.

Sam