While We’re Waiting… LeBron’s Assist Totals, Wood’s Injury and Andy’s Hot Streak
March 15, 2010Browns Trade News: The Writing Is On The Wall
March 15, 2010Can we stop now? I’d love for all media members (you know who you are) to refrain from calling the Boston Celtics the best team in the legaue* (when healthy). After getting drilled by the Cavs in Boston a few weeks back, the Celtics were back to full strength Sunday and still had no real chance to beat the Cavs. Yes, the starting five for the Celtics held their own for a while- but when the benches came out, Cleveland walked all over Boston.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VKhm9wMmCk]
The Celtics have no answer for LeBron James. He had 30 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists to go along with 3 monster blocks. They also couldn’t match Andy Varejao’s energy off the bench. Varejao was all over the boards and contributed 17 points (15 in the first half). Kevin Garnett, Glenn Davis and Kendrick Perkins all were frustrated by Varejao’s hustle. Rasheed Wallace even ended up tipping a ball in the Cavs’ basket with the help of Andy. (Did I ever mention how happy I am that we didn’t sign Sheed?)
Speaking of Wallace, he and Michael Finley are prime examples of why Boston is getting lapped by the Cavs. The Celtics lost a point to Cleveland for every minute that Rasheed was on the floor. Too bad he only played 17 minutes. This was not a case of a +/- anomaly. Wallace killed Boston while he was out there. He shot 1 for 8, and somehow managed to only take 2 three point attempts. Didn’t matter. He missed both of those by the way. He was worked over by both Varejao and Antawn Jamison.
The Cavs didn’t play exceptionally well on offense, but was really never in trouble in this one. You have to be a bit concerned about Jamison. It seemed like his knee was still bothering him. He was way off on his shots. His long distance shot got worse as the game progressed. It seemed he was shoving it at the end of the game. And don’t get me started on the free throws. I don’t get how a guy can shoot so far below his average for a decent sample size. He hit 2 of his 8 attempts, and hit the front iron most of the night. Jamison had a good night on the boards grabbing a game high 12.
What was probably most enjoyable was watching the Celtics lose their cool. From Garnett’s mouth to Davis’ body slam, to Pierce’s shove of LeBron, Boston stayed classy. They tried to play a physical game against the Cavs, who were still without Shaq or Zydrunas in the middle. But a physical game didn’t mean taking advantage of size mis-matches. It meant little cheap shots. Then again, maybe the best part was the halftime feature on Kevin Garnett’s punk signature move of not letting a player shoot during a dead ball. You are just so intense Kevin. (Warning, this paragraph layered with sarcasm.) Or could it have been Jon Barry conceding that the Cavs may actually be the favorites in the East. Wow, that had to hurt to say huh Jon?
Mo Williams shot the ball well from beyond the three point line (4-7). He was significantly less successful from inside the same line (1 for 5). He played better defense against Rondo in this one, but still didn’t get to the free throw line. Despite that fact, he did seem a tad more aggressive, which was good.
The Cavs have three games this week- Tuesday in Detroit, Wednesday against the Pacers at the Q, and in Chicago. These are all very winnable games. With a Magic loss, Cleveland extended it’s lead in the Eastern Conference to 5.5 games.
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18 Comments
“But a physical game didn’t mean taking advantage of size mis-matches. It meant little cheap shots.”
Would you expect anything less from Boston?
Good win yesterday. Even though the game was close for 3 quarters it never seemed like Boston had a chance.
The free throw shooting is going to come back an haunt this team if they don’t start improving!
Nice write-up, Rick.
The Cavs are so much head-and-shoulders above the Celtics at this point that they overlook all the nasty little swipes–and while we’re at it, let’s not forget the stream of obscenities Kevin Garnett apparently unleashed on fans behind the basket as he stood at the foul line. Both LeBron and coach Mike Brown pushed aside questions about the dirty play. I hope we get to face the Celtics in the playoffs just so that we can bounce them loudly and definitively for all the national media and record books to take note of.
I thought of the Rasheed trade rumor, too. Wow, we dodged a head case on that one. And I also thought, as I often have recently, of Ferry’s efforts to fish Andy out of his home in Brazil and back into the fold. His brazen approach was criticized at the time; somehow, though, it all worked out. We absolutely need the Wild Thing out there.
17 17 17 17 17
Yikes……………..
Sad to see Boston turn into a dirty team that takes cheap shots. Garnett’s blatant eye poke to LeBron was bad enough. Fat Davis almost took Jamison out. Then anyone and everyone takes shots at Varejao for no reason. This team doesn’t scare me and the Cavs will handle them in the playoffs, but I worry that it may be a very dirty series.
Great write up and recap of the game. Unfortunatley I missed the entire game due to unforunate circumstances and forgot to set the DVR. I would love to see video of Lebron getting shoved, or Davis’ body slam(?), or a recount of what happened there.
I’m not so sure Mo did such a great job on Rondo. Mo was still getting picked to death and slow to get around them. The difference in my eyes was that Rondo was way less aggressive than the February game and the Cavs had excellent defensive help.
The Celtics look like a team full of old men with no heart who realize their window is now closed and are satisfied that they won a ring two years ago. Depending on who they draw, I could see them struggling to get out of the first round.
@Vare-A-Jay,
Lebron rejected Paul Pierce on a drive to the rim. The ball slammed off the glass, Mo Williams recovered and took off for the other end of the court. LBJ turned around to see where the ball ended up and Pierce gave him a forearm to the back. Lebron just walked off like nothing happened.
That doesn’t include Pierce’s other highlight of tripping over his own foot and falling down on an LBJ crossover.
Was that really a 3 pointer. His right foot was within the 3 point line when he gathered the ball. Look closely. Also, the Cavs better start making those freethrows or they are going to be like the Memphis Tigers of 2008.
Free Throws make the difference!
i loved the Pierce tripping on his own clumsy feet when LBJ shimmied him off…was hilarious…Boston looks old and they know theyre on the way out from the league’s elite…they are no longer scary to many…I think ATL is about to take their “dont wanna face them in the playoffs” title…
I’m a little tired of seeing LeBron get raked in the face.
[…] Rick mentioned in the recap of yesterday’s Cavaliers-Celtics contest, it was definitely a physical battle. While the Celtics are considered to be one of the best […]
the thing is, “when healthy” is a relative term. frankly, the celtics ARE healthy now. KG is 100%. unfortunately for him, KG’s 2010 100% is about 75% at best of his 2008 100%. this is as good as KG is going to get. he is fading fast. pierce isnt getting any younger. ray allen is 100% but is also fading fast. i look at it like this – Rajon Rondo is their best player, and if Rajon Rondo is any team’s best player that team is not winning a championship. yes rondo is good, but he is not THAT good. ive always felt his stature in the media has been trumped up to “elite” status since he plays for the celtics. he is not an elite PG. elite PG’s = derek rose, chris paul, deron williams. an elite PG does not have a huge glaring hole in his game, like rondo’s complete inability to shoot jump shots. he is a horrific shooter.
Loved seeing JJ stand up for himself when Garnett started barking at him. He didn’t back and and then pointed right at his stupid face. The Celtics are a parody of themselves anymore with the lackluster play and continued smack talk.
Boston’s bigs do appear to be soft especially Perkins who all of a sudden isn’t talked about like he was when the Celtics were so great. Isn’t it amazing how these analysts and commentators forget about guys.
I was hoping one of the Cavaliers, maybe Powe, would give a little extra back to the Celtics but unless it’s blatantly obvious the Cavaliers don’t act. I miss Shaq. I guess the best thing to do is just win and let that do the talking but even still I’d like to see a little justice doled out every now and then.
@10
His right foot was over the line when he gathered the ball but when he actually shot it he was only on his left foot. He lifted his right foot up before he shot the ball.
@16
I still like Perkins. He’s one of the few centers in the East that slows down Howard every time they meet (other than Shaq.) Yesterday he just couldn’t handle Andy’s hustle and quickness. He matches up pretty well against Howard’s strength.
@5- “fat Davis”…
that made me laugh.