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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 9:27:56 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1162087&format=textCeltics bloody good in win Glen Davis and Co. can’t be shaken by Thunder By Mark Murphy | Monday, March 30, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Matthew West It’s now part of the NBA charter: When Kevin Garnett sits, the Celtics [team stats] sweat for every drop of their success. From a 10-stitch gash suffered by Glen Davis in the third quarter to some of the most improbable shots known to man from Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, nothing was simple for the Celts in their latest homecoming. Not until Eddie House - a modern-day equivalent to Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson - turned his power on high. The guard came off the bench to score 16 points, including three 3-pointers when the game was close, to push the C’s to a 103-84 win against Oklahoma City last night at the Garden. But he wasn’t alone. Davis, bandage pasted on his forehead, scored 15 points, including 11 straight, in an extended 15-6 fourth-quarter run. There’s something about the gore that apparently works. “Baby’s a bleeder,” Paul Pierce [stats]. “I don’t know what’s going on with him, man. I just know if we ever get into it, I know where to hit him.” Indeed, there seemed to be a consensus on the benefit that sprung forth when Durant’s elbow connected with Davis’ forehead at 5:47 of the third quarter. Comcast SportsNet statistician !!!GREENIAC!!! Lipe said Davis may have earned his first career triple-double - 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 stitches. “I’m going to have someone knock some sense into him, like they did,” coach Doc Rivers said. “Clearly, once they hit him he was a different person. So either someone on the other team or I am going to carry a hammer around. One of the two.” Davis agrees with the principle, if not the hammer. “Luckily, I got hit in the head and it sparked something in me for some reason,” he said. “I was ready to come back in. Me being hurt with my ankle was like prison, so this was like ASAP that I wanted to come back.” ASAP certainly describes the need the Celtics had for Davis down the stretch. They were broadsided by a 9-0 Oklahoma City run midway through the third quarter that gave the visitors a 64-56 lead. It’s the kind of situation House was made for. The Celtics bombardier buried three jumpers - including two treys in a minute, the second of which gave the C’s a 66-65 lead. House then hit the second of two free throws to up the margin by a point, before Pierce took over, hitting two jumpers during the final 45 seconds of the third for a 71-68 lead. Then two things happened. First, the Celtics, with the aid of Bill Walker’s rousing block of Malik Rose, forced a shot-clock violation. Second, House followed with a deep jumper for a 75-68 lead that forced a Thunder timeout. Durant hit what was recorded as a 29-foot 3-pointer, but Pierce came right back with a 20-footer and 13 seconds later drained a trey for an 80-72 lead. Davis, bandaged and back on the floor, dunked off the break, and House drained another 3, this time for an 85-74 edge. By the time Stephon Marbury banked an off-balance 13-footer, the C’s had an 89-76 lead with 5:14 left. From Mikki Moore’s first double-double (12-point second quarter, 11 rebounds) as a Celtic to a highly efficient seven-assist performance by Marbury, the Celtics’ newcomers appear to be rounding into form. “Slowly, but it’s coming,” Rivers said.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 9:36:31 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1162155&format=textSmokin’ Eddie House stirs Celtics in time By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Beat | Monday, March 30, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Matthew West Putting it in the most simple and direct terms, Eddie House is a shooter. Yeah, he’ll play pesky defense, push the ball up the floor and find open teammates, but the man is, above all else, a shooter. Former major leaguer Al Oliver - the National League batting champion in 1982 with a .331 average - used to have a license plate that read AL HITS. Maybe House can get a special plate, too. I SHOOT. Because that’s who he is and he knows it, House had some work to do last night at halftime of the Celtics [team stats]’ unexpectedly tight game with Oklahoma City. He was 1-of-6 from the floor at that point (0-for-2 on 3-pointers), but there was not a single doubt in his mind that he would launch again. He just had to figure out how to do it better. “You know, it’s funny,” said coach Doc Rivers. “Shooters know their game, and in the first half he rushed every shot. You know, quick shots. He was open, but he rushed them. And at halftime I walk in and he’s looking at all the shots on video and the first thing he said was, ‘Yeah.’ ” The Celtics were down six when House re-entered the game in the third quarter. His team was listing toward a listless loss, but he came bearing energy and, of course, his shot. It took House a span lasting just four seconds longer than a minute to right the Celtic ship. He hit a trey. He hit another bomb from just a step within the arc. Then he hit another trey that gave his team the lead. The Celtics would never trail again. “Tonight Eddie sparked us and got us going,” said Stephon Marbury. Paul Pierce [stats] had 27 points, Glen Davis had 19 and Rajon Rondo [stats] had 12 assists - but House was a 6-foot-1 alarm clock, waking the Celtics in time to take a 103-84 victory that was a lot more difficult than those digits imply. House hit 3-of-4 shots in the third quarter on the way to nine points. He ran to spots, got the ball and fired away - a quick release, but not too quick. He finished with 16 points. In the first half, he was a brick House. In the second, he was mighty-mighty, just lettin’ it all hang out. “In the second half, I thought he took his time,” said Rivers. “But I thought our guys did a good job of getting him open too - some great pick sets. And he made the shots. You know, we say with our defense, ‘Two’s hurt you, 3’s kill you.’ And when you’re making 3’s in a row like that, it really breaks your back.” House analyzed his mechanics and regained his stroke. He didn’t shoot before he was set, but he didn’t hesitate either. “You can’t make the next one if you don’t take it,” he said. “I’ve always got confidence in my shot. I think every one I shoot I’m going to make it. But when you’re not making them you’ve got to figure out the adjustment and make that adjustment.” Asked if there is any amount of clanged jumpers that would cause him to put the gun back in the holster, House verbally shook his head. “You can’t think about that,” he said. “You’ve just got to play.” It helps that Eddie House is wired this way. He has a selective memory that allows him to block out negative thoughts. But there is an element of sweat in the equation. “I have a lot of confidence in myself,” House said. “And putting in the hard work gave me that confidence.” The combination gave the Celtics a wake-up call and a win last night.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 9:45:35 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1162153&format=textKevin Garnett remains on sideline Eyes Friday comeback By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Notebook | Monday, March 30, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Matthew West As expected, Kevin Garnett sat out last night’s game against Oklahoma City at the Garden with continued soreness in his right knee. Celtics [team stats] coach Doc Rivers expects the All-Star forward also to miss Wednesday’s game against the Bobcats, with a return more likely Friday night against the Atlanta Hawks. Asked if Garnett’s condition has required more tests by the Celtics medical staff, Rivers shook his head. “No,” Rivers said. “He’ll be getting it checked all the time as he goes on, but it’s just sore. We’re fine with what we know. I doubt if he plays Wednesday. He’s likely for Friday, but that depends on how he moves in practice, and that’s probably going to be on Thursday. “There’s no sense in having him practice (tomorrow) if he’s not playing Wednesday. What we’re looking for with him is better movement and less soreness. I got by his gait. I just watch him run, and you can tell.” Garnett missed 13 games with a strained knee, then saw part-time action in four matchups before sitting out Friday’s tilt against the Hawks. Scal setback Brian Scalabrine has suffered a setback in his recovery from post-concussion syndrome. The forward said he’s had trouble sleeping and is regularly suffering headaches in the morning and night. “It’s since I started lifting (weights) that the symptoms have come back,” said Scalabrine, who hopes to have a better idea of his condition and availability by Wednesday. “Because I have a good base from my workouts, I think it would just be a matter of the time I need to get my timing down. My base is very good from going hard on the treadmill and the weights. “But it is a little frustrating knowing that, with Kevin being out, I could be out there helping.” At least Scalabrine hasn’t lost his sense of humor. Consider his response to a question about showing up on game nights. “To me, it’s about being out of the house,” he said. “A man has to get out to hunt and gather. Men are not built to stay at home and do stuff at home. I have to see my hunting brothers and get meat and bring it back to the village.” Pair improving Guard Tony Allen and forward Leon Powe - the latter in the building for a meeting with team physician Dr. Brian McKeon - both sounded encouraged by their respective rehabilitations. Powe, dealing with what he described as “something on the side of my knee,” said he could either return “before the playoffs or during the playoffs.” “I can do conditioning,” Powe said. “They’ll have me running straight ahead (today) to see how it works out. It gets sore once in a while, but it feels good. I’ve been through knee problems a whole lot worse than this.” Allen went through a pregame shooting drill last night with the cast off his right thumb, in which he tore ligaments last month. “Not Friday, but maybe the game after that,” Allen said of his possible return for an April 8 home tilt against the Nets. “I feel good in practice. I’m encouraged. I’ve been doing everything I’ve been asked to do. I’m going to see a hand specialist (today) to see what I can and what I cannot do.” Striking a Posey The NBA suspended Hornets forward James Posey after the ex-Celtic threw the ball at referee Gary Zielinski in a loss at New York on Friday night. Rivers, who has a few referee issues of his own, gave the subject a wide berth, except to say, “Not surprising. You knew he was going to get it for that.” Still, James Posey? “For Pose to do something like that, whew,” center Kendrick Perkins [stats] said of his normally calm ex-teammate. Posey was reacting to a loose ball foul called against him as he was competing for a defensive rebound. He missed last night’s showdown against visiting San Antonio.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 9:55:58 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/30/pierce_celtics_just_too_much?mode=PFPierce, Celtics just too much They run away from Thunder By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | March 30, 2009 Celtic opponents are scratching and clawing to get into the playoffs, for better seedings, or to improve prospects for next season. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant took that literally last night, opening a 10-stitch gash in Celtic Glen Davis's head in a struggle for a rebound. Davis grabbed that third-quarter rebound on the way to a second consecutive double-double (19 points, 10 boards) as the Celtics took a 103-84 victory over the Thunder in the opener of a five-game homestand. This is the first extended series of home games for the Celtics since December, their schedule so far a test of the team's resiliency. But Davis exemplified the Celtics' ability to bounce back, scoring 15 points in the final quarter. "It did kind of turn up the juice," Davis said. "Luckily, I got hit in the head and it sparked something in me for some odd reason." Davis, who will continue to start in place of Kevin Garnett (right knee strain) when the Celtics meet the Bobcats Wednesday, was injured as he twisted to grab an offensive rebound. Durant knocked down Davis as referee Bennett Salvatore signaled a 30-second timeout with 5:47 remaining in the quarter. Davis returned to the bench seconds before Paul Pierce's jumper provided a 69-68 edge with 45 seconds left, which gave the Celtics the lead for good. Davis returned to the court, his forehead bandaged, with 9:42 remaining and dunked off a Pierce feed for an 82-74 advantage with 7:53 to go. Pierce (27 points) gave a virtuoso offensive performance, Eddie House (16 points) hit three treys in the third quarter, Mikki Moore (12 points, 11 rebounds) delivered his first Celtic double-double, and Stephon Marbury added seven assists. That allowed Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to sit out the final quarter. "Good home stretch here over the next couple weeks," Pierce said. "Some time for us to get together some wins. With the playoffs right around the corner, get some bodies healthy, hopefully, these next two weeks, we can do a little of both." The Celtics (56-19) took a half-game lead over Orlando, but trail the Magic by percentage points in the race for the No. 2 Eastern Conference seed. Only Pierce has played in every game this season. And, after a stretch in which he failed to score in double figures for three games, he seemed rejuvenated. "He just loves basketball, I don't think it's any deeper than that," coach Doc Rivers said. "He never sits out a practice even when he says he's going to not practice. He's just a wonderful guy to have on your team, obviously talent-wise, but the other stuff - when the young guys are tired and Paul's going the whole practice, it's tough for them to be tired. "When Baby [Davis] went out and we had foul trouble, I told [Pierce], 'I've got to ride with you,' he said, 'Oh, I feel great, I'll play all night.' And that's how he feels every night." Rivers gave the team today off from practice. The Celtics did not respond to the Thunder's aggressiveness until late in the third quarter. A Russell Westbrook drive gave Oklahoma City a 64-56 lead with 4:34 left, seconds after Allen committed his fourth foul. But the Celtics closed the quarter with a 13-4 run, Pierce's jumper providing a 71-68 lead. Then Boston turned up the defensive pressure, blocking two shots and forcing a shot-clock violation before a House jumper made it 75-68. Davis then scored 15 points in a 6:39 span, mostly on inside moves, plus two jumpers (one off the dribble). "I thought our whole bench played well," Pierce said. "If you talk about Eddie, you've got to talk about Stephon, you've got to talk about Mikki Moore. Those guys, in the second quarter really gave us a spark, and it kind of carried over for the rest of the game."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 10:00:44 GMT -5
Follow Paul Pierce on Twitter
Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by David Lefort, Boston.com Staff March 30, 2009 08:48 AM
Last week, we asked you which local sports star you would like to see start Twittering. Tom Brady finished first, with almost 25 percent of the vote, followed by Kevin Garnett, Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz, and Randy Moss. Actually, "None on this list" garnered more votes than Paul Pierce, Zdeno Chara and Phil Kessel.
Maybe Pierce noticed.
Take the tale of Celtics fan Michael Chase, who yesterday received an e-mail from a friend claiming that Pierce’s Twitter update boasted that he would be giving away five tickets to that afternoon’s game against Oklahoma City. The five lucky fans had to be wearing a Pierce jersey, and shout the password, “Truth.”
Chase bit and found himself at the players’ entrance a few hours later, where, sure enough, Pierce pulled up, tickets in hand.
When I arrived there was already a group of five fans, which quickly grew to about ten. Almost exactly on the dot at 4:30, a Range Rover with California plates and tinted windows pulled up. The window rolled down and Paul Pierced asked us what the password was. Everyone shouted “Truth” and he started dishing out tickets.
It got slightly chaotic as there was no real line to get a ticket. The crowd just closed in on the Truth and people started reaching out for tickets. Luckily, I was able to score a ticket and will be heading up to the Truth’s suite in about an hour.
Pierce’s latest Twitter post: “To all my twitter homies that came to the game hope u enjoyed.”
You can follow Pierce on Twitter @paulpierce34 and follow all of our Celtics coverage on Twitter @globeceltics.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 10:02:47 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/30/doing_ok_playing_kg?mode=PFDoing OK playing KG Davis is sparkling in Garnett's role By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | March 30, 2009 Glen Davis does not expect to remind anyone of Kevin Garnett, but he is producing Garnett-type numbers. Davis had his second successive double-double (19 points, 10 rebounds) in the Celtics' 103-84 victory over Oklahoma City last night. He had 19 points and 12 rebounds at Atlanta Friday night and, last week scored a career-high 24 points at Memphis. "He's improved leaps and bounds," captain Paul Pierce said of Davis. "He pretty much emulates what Kevin does, he watches him every day, and you see it in practice. "You don't want Kevin to be hurt, but the experience Baby [Davis] has been getting - and before Leon [Powe] went down - the experience these guys are getting [is] going to be huge for us in the playoffs. "There may be a situation where Kevin is in foul trouble, or even the point where maybe Kevin can't go. We have to prepare for that, and you know these guys are getting valuable experience right now and they'll be ready by the playoffs." Playing it safe Garnett missed last night's game and is doubtful for Wednesday's matchup with Charlotte. Garnett, who has pain in his right knee caused by a strain suffered Feb. 19, did not participate in the morning shootaround. "I just think we've got to be smart about it," coach Doc Rivers said. "It's just like when somebody says somebody is going to be back in a week or two, that's not a guarantee. If a guy gets sore, do we play him because we say he's supposed to be back playing? You just use your common sense. "Put it like this, he would have to be very good for me to play him. He won't be out long. We've got two days [today and tomorrow] off and, hopefully, by the end of the week." Thus Garnett could be available when the Celtics host Atlanta Friday, but in determining the player's availability, Rivers said he would look for, "just better movement, less soreness. We'll just keep him out of training and keep moving forward. "I go by his gait - it's not hard, really, just watch him run." Garnett returned for four games, then missed the Celtics' visit to Atlanta Friday night. "I'm not too concerned about it," Rivers said. "After this week, we've got four days coming up for practice time. His rhythm was very good when he came back, which makes me feel a lot better about him resting more." Sitting lineup Tony Allen (left thumb), Powe (right knee), and Brian Scalabrine (post-concussion symptoms) remain out. Allen has returned to practice and worked on shooting with guard Gabe Pruitt after yesterday morning's session in Waltham. Allen has an appointment with a hand specialist Wednesday and is doubtful for that night's game, but he could return by next week, said Rivers. "It feels good in practice but I'm not rushing it," Allen said. "Our practices are like game speed, anyway." Hard contact could aggravate Allen's injury. "That's the scary part about it," he said. "I'll find out [from the specialist] what I can and can't do." Powe's return has not been set, but he hopes to be back before the playoffs. "It's coming along, it feels good," Powe said. Scalabrine has a medical appointment tomorrow. "It's frustrating," he said. "With Kevin out, not only is there an opportunity, but we just need bodies and I could be out there helping." Called for icing Rajon Rondo took an extra 15 minutes of shooting practice yesterday morning, then iced his ankles. "They're sore," Rivers said of Rondo's ankles. "But the swelling has gone down, so he's fine." Rondo had 6 points and 12 assists in 29 minutes . . . J.R. Giddens is averaging 16.8 points in 17 games for the Utah Flash of the Development League. "I'll probably be here until the D League season is over with," Giddens said. "That's cool. I have no problems with it. I get to play. I don't see myself being down here more than a couple weeks because this season is about to be over with."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 10:06:27 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/30/moore_starting_to_find_his_place?mode=PFMoore starting to find his place By Gary Dzen, Globe Staff | March 30, 2009 Before a game against Indiana in late February, Celtics rookies Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens joked that they were going to charge newcomer Mikki Moore for helping him move to Boston. After more than a month and more than a few bad games, Moore looked like he could have used their help on the court as well. But the veteran big man finally looked comfortable in his new surroundings in a 103-84 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. In 27 minutes, Moore put up better numbers than he has in any of his previous 16 games in a Celtics uniform, recording 12 points and 11 rebounds. "He's improving each and every game," said captain Paul Pierce. "He's learning where to be defensively and getting to the spots offensively." Moore carried a struggling offense early against the Thunder, scoring 10 points in his first 11 minutes. He had four dunks in the first half, including one on a behind-the-back-pass from Rajon Rondo in the second quarter that got the crowd on its feet. "We needed some points," said Glen Davis. "That's the reason why he's on this team." Besides the dunks, Moore also looked for his perimeter shot on a couple of occasions. The inside-outside combination helped Moore match his season-high in points, which he reached twice when he was with the Kings. "Mikki's starting to understand that when he's open he should shoot the ball, because he can really shoot the ball," said coach Doc Rivers. "Honestly, I thought he didn't think he was worthy. When you're on the floor, it's an adjustment when you're next to Paul and Ray [Allen], Kevin [Garnett]. You're open and you think, 'There's no way I should shoot the ball.' And what we're trying to get him to do . . . that's what you do, shoot the ball." While his offense has been a concern, defense is where Moore had really struggled since coming to the Celtics. Prone to foul trouble, Moore didn't collect his first foul last night until 8:51 of the second quarter. Moore's self-restraint did not last all game, however. He picked up his fifth foul at 6:45 of the fourth quarter and made his way to the bench. Moore has fouled out twice with the Celtics and picked up five fouls on four other occasions. "Thank God he hasn't fouled out in a couple games," Pierce said with a laugh. The Celtics added Moore hoping for the same impact that veteran P.J. Brown gave them by joining the team late last season. A couple of other big men were on Boston's radar as well, but the Celtics decided to pass on Dikembe Mutumbo in December to see if anyone else became available. They also had their sights on Joe Smith, but he was under contract with Oklahoma City at the time they signed Moore. Smith, who became available March 5, is now averaging 6.7 points and 4.2 rebounds after signing as a free agent with the Cavaliers. The deficiencies in Moore's play also have been magnified since he signed as a free agent on Feb. 25 in large part because of injuries to Garnett, Brian Scalabrine, and Leon Powe. That has forced the Celtics to use Moore 18.1 minutes per game despite his lack of experience in the team's system. The rust has shown, with Moore averaging 3.7 points and 4.1 rebounds since coming to Boston. "Me getting my timing back, learning where to be on the floor . . . since I've been here, I've been trying to do it in games," said Moore. "I don't have time to do it in practice." Moore said the hardest adjustment has been trusting his teammates to make the proper rotations on the defensive end. His hesitation often makes him late and causes him to pick up quick fouls. The 11-year veteran showed improvement in that area last night, beating speedy guard Russell Westbrook to the spot to draw a charge at 11:42 of the fourth quarter. "I'm still making mistakes, but they're minor mistakes," said Moore. "I'm not giving up points when I do it. But my teammates have been great. They've been very supportive. Tonight I made it a point to just go out there and play ball. It felt pretty good to get that gorilla off my back."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 10:09:05 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/pros_and_colleges/x1764849263/Celtics-103-Thunder-84-Celtics-quiet-ThunderCeltics 103, Thunder 84: Celtics quiet Thunder -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Loading multimedia... Photos -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Dwyer/Associated Press Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) shoots a runner during Boston's win over the Thunder. By By Scott Souza, DAILY NEWS STAFF MetroWest Daily News Posted Mar 29, 2009 @ 11:04 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — For one night anyway, the Celtics had a new Big 3. Paul Pierce was the mainstay with 20 of his 27 points in the second half of a 103-84 victory over the Thunder last night at the TD Banknorth Garden. But as the Celtics stumbled through nearly three quarters against a lottery-bound foe - with Kevin Garnett missing his second straight game with recurring knee stiffness - they needed a lift from some less-likely sources and got it from Glen Davis (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Eddie House (16 points off the bench). Pierce, House and Davis combined to score 46 of Boston's 48 points in a stretch that spanned more than 20 minutes of the second half. Pierce and House combined for 29 straight Boston points during the run. Then Davis closed out the onslaught after taking 10 stitches in his forehead following a hard whack early in the third quarter. "Clearly, once they hit him, he was a different person," said Rivers. "So, either someone else on the other team (has to do it each game), or I'm going to carry a hammer around." "I got hit in the head and it sparked something in me for some reason," said Davis - who scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half - as he sat with bandaged forehead and feet soaking in a tub of ice water. "I was just ready to win. That's it. I just wanted to push the lead as much as possible because we were supposed to blow (out) these guys. Things happen like that. We got the win and that's all that matters." It didn't look like that was going to be the case for the better part of three quarters as the Thunder held a 64-56 lead with 4:31 left in the third. But that's when the Pierce-House combination heated up. House hit 5-of-9 shots in the second half for 14 of his 16 points after knocking down just 1-of-6 in the first half. "The few shots that I had (in the first half) it felt like I took them a little too quickly," said House, echoing the sentiment of his coach. "The one in the first half I knocked down was more of a nice rhythm, real slow, a good pace. "You can't make the next one if you don't take it. I always have confidence in my shot. I think if I shoot the next one, I am going to make it. When you are not making them, you have to figure out the proper adjustment." House's outburst was part of a 40-16 run in the second half that turned what had the makings of one of the more regrettable nights of the season into an easy victory. Mikki Moore had his first double-double as a Celtic with 12 points and 11 rebounds, Stephon Marbury had a sharp effort off the bench with seven assists and Bill Walker provided a lift as well with four points and five rebounds. "I thought our bench gave us energy," Rivers said. "First quarter, I thought we were flat. Then the bench came in and I thought the game turned around. And in the third and fourth quarter, I thought our bench was terrific. So I was really, really happy about that." The Celtics trailed by as many as eight early before rallying behind the second unit for a 45-45 tie at the break. The second half started as sluggishly as the first. The Thunder used a 9-0 run for a 60-52 lead with 6:35 left in the third, and were still up eight, 64-56, with 4:31 to go before the Celtics began to show signs of life. After Pierce hit a pair of free throws, Rajon Rondo (12 assists) grabbed an offensive rebound on the next possession and found House for a 3-pointer and a 64-61 game at the 3:31 mark. Six more points in a row from House made it an 11-1 run over 3:18 for a 67-65 lead. Pierce hit the final two Celtics baskets of the quarter as they hit the fourth up 71-68. Two more Pierce free throws and another House jumper stretched the lead to 75-68 with 10:30 left. When Pierce put the Celtics up 80-72 with 9:29, he and House had combined for 29 straight Celtics points. Davis finally broke the Pierce-House string with a rousing dunk for an 82-74 lead with 7:50 left in the game and was the dominant force the rest of the way. A third House 3-pointer stretched the lead to 11, then a Davis basket and Marbury kiss off the glass gave the Celtics an 89-76 gap with 5:07 left. Seven more Celtics points in a row from Davis put the Celtics up 96-80 with 2:46 to go and ended any suspense
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 10:10:35 GMT -5
www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/sidebar032909-baby-forehead.htmlShot To Forehead Awakens Baby in Sunday Win Couper Moorhead March 29, 2009 Celtics.com Basketball can be an odd game. One minute you can be sitting in the locker room during a ballgame, not knowing whether you'll return. Moments later, you're the hero. Last year, it happened to Paul Pierce in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and it happened to Glen Davis Sunday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Midway through the third quarter, Davis -- replacing Kevin Garnett in the starting lineup -- took an elbow to the forehead while going for a rebound, forcing a trip to the locker room as blood ran down his face. The crowd could almost be heard lamenting: 'Not another injury.' But a mere flesh wound wouldn't keep Big Baby off the court. With 10 fresh stitches covered by a square bandage, Davis returned in the fourth quarter with the Celtics holding a six-point lead. Over the next 9:42, he dropped 16 post-gash points on the Thunder, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds in Boston's 103-84 victory. It was the type of performance a coach would want to do anything possible to replicate. "Yeah," Doc Rivers said, on whether he'd have Davis wear the bandage every game. "Or I'm going to have someone knock some sense into him, like they did. Clearly, once they hit him, he was a different person. Either someone else on the other team, or I'm going to carry a hammer around. One of the two." The switch, as they say, was flipped. "That's just one thing as a young guy you just have to learn how to turn it on and keep it on," Davis said. "Luckily I got [hit] in the head and it sparked something in me for some odd reason." It was Davis' second double-double of a season in which he has averaged 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 32 minutes as a starter -- filling in for Garnett -- versus 5 points and 3.5 boards in 18 minutes off the bench. His sophomore season has shown a steady rise in nearly every aspect of Davis' game. "He's improved [by] leaps and bounds," Celtics captain Paul Pierce said. "I mean you talk about a guy, he pretty much emulates what Kevin does, he watches him every day and you see it in practice. We see the stuff that ya'll don't get to see it. We see his work ethics improved, he comes in he gets his shots, he understands his role and you can see from last year to this year, he's made tremendous strides." Strides that should pay dividends comes the playoffs, because Davis looked anything but odd and out of place as a sub filling in for a former MVP starter. If anything seemed odd or out of place for Big Baby after double-digit stitches to the head, it was his nickname.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 30, 2009 10:56:04 GMT -5
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