News 3/5

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1077886&format=text

C’s court an advantage
Look to hold ground in race with Pistons

By Steve Bulpett | Wednesday, March 5, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP (File)
At stake for the Celtics [team stats] tonight is an opportunity to widen their three-game lead over the Pistons in the Eastern Conference and earn the tiebreaker in the race for homecourt advantage.

But considering Detroit’s record with said edge in the conference and NBA Finals since 2003, C’s coach Doc Rivers might be wise to take a page from last season’s plan.

Everybody into the tank.

Over the last five postseasons, the Pistons are 3-1 in those late series when forced to start on the road. They are 0-3 in the East and league championship sets when in possession of the homecourt.

“No,” said Rivers, laughing at the sarcastic suggestion, “we still want homecourt.

“I know the Pistons don’t care about that. They really don’t. I just think it’s far more important to the other team, even though the numbers wouldn’t say it, but it is. They could care less. The Detroit Pistons are at home 82 games a year, and I’ve always said that about them. They’re professional. They’ve had the same starting lineup over and over.

“It’s ‘Groundhog Day’ when they play. They show up and they play the exact same way. And if you can get them out of their stuff, then you have a little bit of a chance.”

While the road team won the first two times these teams met this season, Paul Pierce [stats] still wants a Game 7 to be at TD Banknorth Garden.

“I think homecourt’s going to be very important,” he said. “I think we’re a team that really thrives at home (26-4), so these games are very important, especially when you’ve got a team that’s right behind you battling for the best record in the Eastern Conference.”

The Celtics appear to be enjoying the buildup for tonight’s game, the last time the clubs will meet in this regular season. The Pistons, who are coming off a 100-97 win over Seattle last night, are keeping things in check, meanwhile. At least until they get here.

“I don’t really think about it,” said Chauncey Billups of the homecourt question. “The one thing we’ve learned around here for the past couple of postseasons is the only thing that matters is if you’re playing the right ball at the right time. If you want to get to The Finals, you’ve got to win on the road regardless. It really doesn’t matter to me. I just want to be playing our best ball at the right time and everybody be healthy.”

Ray Allen agreed when discussing the matchup, saying, “What’s at stake? A loss or a win. I don’t look into it any deeper. We just played Atlanta and it was the same thing. We didn’t make a big fuss the last time we played them and we won’t do that (tonight). I’m sure there’ll be a lot of intensity, but it’s not judgment day yet. It’s not a series where you win or go home.”

But it is another chance for the Celtics to get a little experience in a pressurized environment.

“Both teams will absolutely want it, and that makes for good NBA games,” Rivers said. “We’ve been in a bunch of those this year, and I think all those experiences are good for us. And it’s another day you can scout the Detroit Pistons against you.

“It’s a great game because it’s two very good basketball teams obviously fighting for homecourt, so it’s fun. It’s not a playoff game. I mean, hopefully it’s played at playoff intensity, but playoff games you have more time to prepare for each other. It’s just different. But it still will be a fun game for us. I’m looking forward to it.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1077889&format=text

Signs don’t point to Cassell’s debut
Guard won’t face Detroit

By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Notebook | Wednesday, March 5, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
Sam Cassell was in the house yesterday afternoon, making the trip up from Baltimore and meeting his physical and contractual requirements. But he didn’t stay long. The veteran point guard returned to Baltimore to attend the funeral of a family member today and will not be with the Celtics [team stats] today or tomorrow.

Even before learning of Cassell’s itinerary, Doc Rivers had no definitive plan for getting him into a game.

“I don’t know when I expect him to play,” the coach said. “He won’t play (tonight against the Pistons), I can tell you that. We’ll see from there.

“I’m in no hurry. We have games left. We have time. We don’t have a lot of practice time, but we do have days in between where we can actually work on things with him and P.J. (Brown). He may play earlier than P.J. because of the situation that Sam has been playing. P.J. was not, so Sam is probably more ready to play than P.J. was.”

While the Celtics know they are getting a veteran hand to offer postseason stability and assistance, they learned they also are getting a fan of the team. At least a fan for the last eight months.

“I know that from the moment I got traded over the summer Sam was excited about what this team’s potential was,” said Ray Allen, who played with Cassell in Milwaukee. “Who knew the opportunity would work out to where he would be able to join us?”

According to Allen, the Cassell benefits will extend beyond the court.

“I definitely know from playing with Sam that he’s going to able to give (Rajon) Rondo another ear,” he said. “I always say that T.A. (Tony Allen) has had myself and Paul (Pierce) to watch us do what we do. Rondo has basically had Doc, and it’s different when you have a player out there on the floor that’s been through the same situations and can kind of be a sounding board.”

In Cassell and Brown, the Celtics have added more than 28 years’ experience in a week.

“It’s huge,” Rivers said. “It’s no coincidence all the trades at the end of the year, all the free agent signings, have involved very few young players. Teams are going after older players because they know in the playoffs it can help. It doesn’t mean we’re not going to use our young guys. We are. You know, we have a hell of a record with what we have. That’s the way I look at it. If we can add to that and become better from where we’re at, then we’re going to try to do that.”

Pruitt sent down

With the acquisition of Cassell, Gabe Pruitt has been sent to Utah of the NBA Development League. This is the third - and, per NBA rules, final - assignment to the minors this season.

The rookie will get to play the final 15 games on the Flash schedule.

“He just needs playing time,” Rivers said. “He’s not playing here at all, and in the practices the vets don’t let him in. Bringing Sam in, I knew we were going to have an extra body.”

Pruitt has appeared in just one game (a 9:40 stint against the Clippers) in the last 35 days.

Brown fired up

Brown is ready for the call tonight if it comes.

“If I’m activated, I’ll be in it,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that. They get the juices flowing, the Pistons. They’ve been the Eastern Conference frontrunner for so many years. I think I’ve made good progress, but it’s between coach and the training staff and the strength and conditioning guys.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1077882&format=text


It seems just like old times
C’s-Pistons rivalry heats up

By Tony Massarotti | Wednesday, March 5, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP
Back then, the Celtics [team stats] had more notable rivalries. But nobody seemed to stoke the Celts’ ire quite like the Detroit Pistons.

“I never put it up there with the ones we had with Philly and the Lakers. (The Pistons) were up-and-coming and we were at the end,” C’s legend Larry Bird said yesterday. “I’ve always had respect for ’em as players but Detroit took more shots at you than those other teams.”

So here we are, roughly 20 years later, and the Celtics and Pistons once again are vying for superiority in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

The names have changed, but the story remains the same. The Celtics and Detroit play their final meeting of the 2007-08 regular season tonight at TD Banknorth Garden. At the moment, the season series is tied at 1, and there is the very real possibility that the clubs will meet again this spring for the right to go to the NBA Finals.

Currently, Bird is president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, Isiah Thomas is head coach and president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks, John Salley a host for “The Best Damn Sports Show Period.”

Everyone has moved on. But to this day, few with any connection to those Celtics teams have been able to forgive Bill Laimbeer.

Detroit took more shots at you than those other teams.

What, you think Bird was talking about Joe Dumars?

On the one hand, Bird is right: Relative to the Pistons, the Celtics of the 1980s had greater adversaries.

On the other hand, there is no disputing the amount of vitriol that existed between the Celtics and Pistons as they fought for command of the East at a time when Detroit was a collection of snotty (and foulmouthed) college graduates trying to push the old men out the door.

From Detroit’s perspective, after all, Bird’s historic steal of Thomas’ sloppy inbounds pass in the final seconds of Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference finals was the beginning, not the end.

The upstart Pistons subsequently knocked off the Celtics in six games in the 1988 Conference finals before wiping out the C’s in three games during the first round in 1989.

And during the seven-year period from 1984-90, either the Celtics or the Pistons represented the East in the NBA Finals.

Now the teams are at it again, except the roles have changed.

Though the revamped Celtics hardly qualify as young behind the trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce [stats], they certainly are the newer of the two contenders.

For the Celtics, the road to the NBA Finals almost certainly goes through Detroit, particularly during a season in which the Pistons appear to have regained some of the swagger from their most recent championship season, 2004.

Now, Detroit is the battle-tested, more seasoned club.

Which is precisely why the Celtics were so eager to bring in Sam Cassell.

“Obviously, they’re two of the top teams in the East,” Bird acknowledged of the Celtics and Pistons. “Either one of ’em has a good shot of winning the championship, along with all of those teams in the West.”

From that standpoint, tonight’s game will mean nothing, though there is the issue of homecourt advantage should the teams meet in the postseason. (The Celtics held a 3-game lead heading into last night.)

Each club already has won on the other’s home floor this season, with the Pistons handing the Celts their first home loss of the Kevin Garnett era back in December.

In that game, tough-as-nails Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups exploited the Celtics deficiencies in the backcourt by posting up Rajon Rondo [stats], who was operating without a true backup.

While Cassell is not expected to play tonight, the addition of the veteran point guard appears to address the Celtics’ greatest weakness against the team that seems to be their greatest obstacle in returning to the Finals.

These days, that is something even the Celtics of old cannot dispute.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1077896&format=text


New Three vs. Big Three

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by John Wilcox
When Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were acquired last summer by the Celtics [team stats] to join forces with Paul Pierce [stats], comparisons were immediately made to the Celtics’ original Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.

While the New Three of Pierce, Allen and Garnett have lived up their billing where it counts most -- in the win-loss column -- they haven’t quite been able to match the gaudy numbers compiled by the Big Three during their glory days in Boston from 1984-88.

Here’s a comparison of their points, rebounding and assist averages, as well as a look at their individual shooting percentages.

NEW THREE

2007-08

Player PPG RPG APG FG%

Pierce 20.5 5.4 4.7 44.7

Allen 18.7 4.0 3.1 44.2

Garnett 18.5 9.9 3.7 53.6

Totals 57.7 19.3 11.5

BIG THREE

1984-85

Bird 28.7 10.5 6.6 52.2

McHale 19.8 9.0 1.8 57.0

Parish 17.6 10.6 1.6 54.2

Totals 66.1 30.1 10.0

1985-86

Bird 25.8 9.8 6.8 49.6

McHale 21.3 8.1 2.7 57.4

Parish 16.1 9.5 1.8 54.9

Totals 63.2 27.4 11.3

1986-87

Bird 28.1 9.2 7.6 52.5

McHale 26.1 9.9 2.6 60.4

Parish 17.5 10.6 2.2 55.6

Totals 71.7 29.7 12.4

1987-88

Bird 29.9 9.3 6.1 52.7

McHale 22.6 8.4 2.7 60.4

Parish 14.3 8.5 1.6 58.9

Totals 66.8 26.2 10.4

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/03/05/regular_no_its_extra_large?mode=PF

Regular? No, it's extra-large
By Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist | March 5, 2008

It doesn't look like anything special on the official NBA schedule.

March 5 Det @ Bos.

Just one out of each team's Big 82, right? No more important than Cha @ Det on Dec. 9 or Ind @ Bos on Apr. 2, right? It's just the regular season, so how important could it be, right?

Ha.

"You know what?" inquires Joe Dumars, the president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons. "It would be disingenuous for any player to say that when the two top teams in the conference play each other, it is not a significant game. It is a significant game, because this is a game where you are gauging yourself."

So be advised that tonight, at TD Banknorth Garden, we will not be witnessing a routine NBA game.

Coaches traditionally have emphasized to their players the importance of treating the games equally, of never looking too far ahead, of respecting every opponent. But we all know better. Some games have much more value, more buzz, than others.

All NBA games are not created equal. Owners know it. General managers know it. Players know it. Fans know it. The media know it. And coaches know it, too, even though they work hard to perpetuate the fiction that they're all the same.

"Oh, you have to preach that," chuckles Chuck Daly, a man who coached in many a big game in this league before paying full-time attention to his golf game. "You have to preach that, just in case you lose."

Coach Daly is retired in Florida now, but he pays very close attention to the league. You know he'll be in front of his big screen tonight.

"Detroit thinks it will come down to themselves and Boston in the East, and Boston thinks it will come down to themselves and Detroit," he declares. "Of course, Cleveland thinks they're going to be a factor, too.

"I always loved these games, because it was a measuring stick. But you never know how things will transpire. Sometimes you play well, and sometimes you take it too seriously, and things don't turn out so well."

Back in the early '70s, the Celtics and Knicks had a wonderful rivalry. Those were the days before routine Garden sellouts, when the local New York-oriented college kids could purchase enough tickets to create a collegiate, Big 5-like atmosphere, turning the Garden on those glorious Sunday afternoons into the Palestra North.

In the not-too-distant past, the Celtics had serious annual confrontations with the likes of Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Lakers. It would have been ridiculous to pretend that those games weren't of far more interest to the principals than ordinary encounters with the Cavaliers or Kings.

"When the schedule would come out each year," Magic Johnson once told me, "I'd grab it and circle the Boston games. To me, it was The Two and the other 80."

OK, no one in Detroit or Boston was circling anything when the 2007-08 NBA schedule came out. The Celtics were obviously going to be better, but no one ever imagined them to be this good. We are long removed from the days of the (original) Big Three and McFilthy and McNasty, and The Chief refusing to shake hands with (and then slugging) Laimbeer, and the Great Debate over whether Larry, were he black, would, in Isiah Thomas's words, be just "another good guy." Johnny Most - God rest his soul - has been dead for 15 years.

There will be many people in the Garden tonight for whom all these concepts are an abstract. All they know is that the Celtics had better make sure there is a Gino sighting up on the big board late in the fourth quarter.

Tonight's game isn't about rivalry. Tonight's game is about something even more pure: competition.

Tonight's game is about a team with a surprising record of 46-12 trying to secure its hold on first place in the Eastern Conference against a been-there-before opponent with a predictable record of 44-16. A Celtic win will not guarantee they will negotiate the remaining 23 regular-season games well enough to maintain that No. 1 seed and home court. But it sure would help, especially since it would give them a series-concluding 2-1 edge, and thus a potentially valuable tie-breaker if the need should arise.

Conversely, a Detroit win won't mean the Pistons will wind up catching the Celtics. But it sure would be satisfying. Boston has established itself as a new standard of excellence. The Pistons come here having won 15 of their last 18. They would like to instill a little humility into the Celtics.

Doc Rivers will engage in some pregame coachspeak, for sure, but can his heart possibly be in it? He was, after all, a player, and a very good one.

"When I was with the Knicks, and we were playing the Bulls," he recalls, "I couldn't wait for those games.

"I look at this as a fun game. I am looking forward to it. I'm excited. We all are. Clearly, it's a game of meaning, because the home court's at stake. But as a coach, you don't do anything different. It's still not a playoff game. If this were a playoff game, you would."

The first two games between these teams have been intriguing. Detroit knocked off a 20-2 Celtics team, then undefeated at home, back on Dec. 19 when Chauncey Billups up-faked Tony Allen with one-10th of a second left to draw two game-winning free throws in an 87-85 Detroit triumph. Fifteen days later, the Celtics defeated Detroit in Auburn Hills, 92-85, as rookie Glen "Big Baby" Davis scored an unexpected 20 points during a comeback triumph.

It appears a new rivalry has been born.

"I think this sums it up," Rivers says. "Go back and look at the comments after they beat us. Our guys were saying, 'They beat us, and they were jumping up and down as if they'd won a championship.' Then we beat them, and the next day they're saying, 'They beat us, and they were celebrating as if they'd won a championship.' "

Mar 5 Det @ Bos. Yeah, it matters.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/03/05/cassell_knows_role_but_cant_act_right_away?mode=PF

Cassell knows role but can't act right away
By Peter May and Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | March 5, 2008

Sam Cassell can't wait to be a Celtic. Well, actually, he is a Celtic. But a death in his family will delay his debut with the team. However, he said in a telephone interview last night that he is ready, willing, and able to do what he can to bring another championship to Boston.

"I'm starved, man, I'm starved," he said, when asked how hungry he was to add a third NBA championship to his résumé, having won two with the Rockets in 1994 and 1995. "That is why I'm here. There are no egos involved. There are no hidden agendas involved. I'm here to try and help the Celtics win a championship, clean and simple."

Cassell officially passed his physical and signed with the team yesterday but was given permission to return to Baltimore for a family funeral. Before leaving Boston last night, the 38-year-old guard said he expects to be back in town tomorrow night or Friday. He should be at TD Banknorth Garden when the Celtics play the Bulls Friday, but it's not known whether he'll make his debut that night.

Once he does get in, he said, he'll be a quick study and be ready to play his role, which he fully understands will be to back up Rajon Rondo.

"There are no questions or concerns about my role," he said. "None at all. I'm going to be the backup point guard and I will do whatever I can to be successful. With personnel like that, I just have to fit in and do my job."

"He's probably going to come in and take all of my minutes," Rondo joked. "It shouldn't affect me or anything, how I play, as long as I work hard. I can only get better with Sam coming in."

The Celtics became Cassell's eighth NBA employer when he succeeded in extricating himself from his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers via the now increasingly familiar method of a buyout.

He thought the deal was done nine days ago. Instead, it took another 72 hours before he was able to free himself and get placed on waivers. He cleared waivers Monday night, freeing him to sign with Boston in what was pretty much a done deal all along.

He signed for the rest of the season at a prorated $1.2 million veteran's minimum.

"It went down to the wire," said Cassell. "But so much of it was out of my control. I just tried to stay in the background and let [agent] David [ Falk] handle things. I thought it was going to be all done 10 days ago. I don't know what the roadblock was, but there was one. I'm just glad we were able to get it done."

Cassell will be reuniting with former teammates Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, both of whom he has been talking to throughout the process.

"They've been anxious for me to come and I've been anxious to get there," he said. "They know who I am and what I'm all about. We all have the same goal in mind, so that's not going to be a problem."

"I'm really happy that he wants to be here," said coach Doc Rivers. "He wanted to be here. He's more frustrated he couldn't get here earlier."

Cassell is expected to wear No. 28, which has been worn by seven Celtics, including Quinn Buckner, Wayne Embry, and Tony Delk.


Brown may be a go
Rivers said forward/center P.J. Brown could make his Celtics debut tonight. The 6-foot-11-inch, 239-pounder was signed as a free agent a week ago but Rivers has been in no rush to play him. Brown, who has yet to play this season, says he's ready, but he respects Rivers's decision. "My progress is pretty good," Brown said. "What I've been saying the last five or six days is [Rivers] gets the final call. So, we'll see. We'll see." . . . With the signing of Cassell, the Celtics reassigned rookie point guard Gabe Pruitt to their Development League affiliate, the Utah Flash, for the maximum third time. The Flash have 15 regular-season games left. Pruitt was averaging 2.0 points in 5.7 minutes in 12 games for Boston. "He just needs playing time," Rivers said. "He's not playing here at all."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/03/05/pistons_hearts_will_be_pumping_tonight?mode=PF

Pistons' hearts will be pumping tonight
By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | March 5, 2008

The way Pistons All-Star guard Chauncey Billups sees it, there have been very regular regular-season games for his team this season and then there are the ones against their renewed rivals, the Celtics.

Tonight, the third and final regular-season matchup between the NBA Eastern Conference's top two teams takes place when the Pistons visit the TD Banknorth Garden. And with the first two intense and gritty games in mind, Billups is definitely looking forward to tonight.

"Oh man, it was so much fun, man, so much fun, man. I loved it," Billups said. "With the East being where it is right now, those games are kind of fun in between. You get real good basketball, teams that are elite status that go at it, and it could go either way. I love it. I love it. You always get excited.

"At the end of the day, in the regular season, it's just a game. But some games you get more excited than others because you have the chance to prove something."

The Celtics instantly were viewed as strong contenders to win the Eastern Conference after acquiring perennial All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the offseason. While Cleveland was last season's East champ, the Pistons appear to be Boston's biggest roadblock to the NBA Finals.

Billups and Detroit coach Flip Saunders acknowledged that the Celtics have more than lived up to expectations.

"They've had a great year," said Saunders, who coached Garnett in Minnesota. "They have been able to withstand Garnett's injury, Ray Allen's injury. They had the magic touch at the beginning of the season where they were able to win all those close games.

"But we'll find out something the last 30 games because they've played the fewest games in the West Coast of anybody. Now their schedule gets a little bit tougher and they have to play some of those teams and see where they pan out."

Billups, who played with Garnett in Minnesota, said, "They've met pretty much what I thought they would after getting the players they acquired this summer. When they got KG, I just knew they got the perfect All-Star. He's a guy who will sacrifice some things.

"With his intensity and the way he plays, he was going to hold everybody accountable. You've got to bring a certain amount of effort to the game or you're going to look out of place. He just plays that hard."

The first two meetings between the Celtics and Pistons this season have been classic contests. The Pistons won the first, 87-85, in Boston after Billups nailed two free throws with 0.1 seconds left Dec. 19. The Celtics won the second, 92-85, in Auburn Hills, Mich., as rookie forward Glen Davis scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter Jan. 5.

Saunders said the games had a "playoff-type atmosphere," but as intense as they were, Billups and Saunders understand that an Eastern final matchup would take this rivalry to another level.

"It would be a real, real, real intense series," Billups said. "You're looking at a [Celtics] team that everyone's pretty much been talking about all season as far as are they the best of this or the best of that. And they have - they've been good.

"You can't fight that. But then you look at us. We've been right there, hovering at the top. Like I've always said, we're not going anywhere. It would be a hard-fought series."

Said Saunders, "You know there is an opportunity that you might play against those people in the playoffs and we'll have to go through each other. You get a little juiced up to play them."

With about six weeks remaining in the season, the race for home-court advantage in the East is basically between the Celtics (46-12) and Pistons (44-16), who yesterday signed veteran center Theo Ratliff, who was released Friday by the Timberwolves.

The Pistons, who defeated Seattle last night, have reached the Eastern finals each of the last five years, making the NBA Finals twice and winning it all in 2004.

Considering Detroit's experience and reputation for playing well with its back against the wall, Saunders doesn't seem concerned about landing the top seed.

"You look at it a little bit," said Saunders. "But we don't feel like we have to be the No. 1 seed to come out of the East."

"If it happens, it happens," said Hamilton. "Our mission is to get back to the Finals."

The Boston team the Pistons potentially see in the playoffs, however, will be different from the one they see tonight. The Celtics have made recent additions in veterans Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown, and while Brown might make his debut tonight, it's uncertain when Cassell will. But both are expected to play big roles in the postseason.

"It brings them some veterans that know how to win," Billups said. "I think it makes them better, I really do."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/green_room/2008/03/rerematch_game.html

Re-rematch game
Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Jesse Nunes March 4, 2008 01:23 PM
By Matt Hafele

One of the defining moments this season for me came in December. It was actually the Celtics' first home loss after starting out this season 12-0 at the Garden. Regardless of the outcome I don’t think I’ll ever forget Mike Gorman screaming “We’re tied at 85!” The Celtics were in their first playoff-type-atmosphere all season, against the team that had reached the Eastern Conference Finals in each of the last five years. It was a dog fight from start to finish with the Pistons gaining leads and the Celtics erasing them.


Ray-ray was jacked-up after Gorman’s call as well. (Jim Davis / Globe Staff Photo)
The Pistons took an 85-79 lead with under four minutes to play and that’s when the heart of this team really showed. Eddie House went first with his three-pointer to get the Celts within three, and then Ray showed off some of his clutch shooting tying the game at 85 – and leading to Gorman’s aforementioned exclamation – on another 3-pointer 19 seconds to go. I, like many other Celtics fans, was going absolutely insane from my couch.

I was so used to the Celtics of old that once they got down six with little time left, I figured it was over. It took some lock-down defense and clutch shooting to make me a believer. Unfortunately, we all know what happened after that. Doc sent in Tony Allen (who had only played five minutes throughout the game) to guard the former Celtic and clutch-shooter, Chauncey Billups, with less than two seconds remaining. A little pump-fake and Tony went airborne – ballgame.

Still, there was a sense of satisfaction that came with this loss. We could hang with the Pistons. We made it clear who the top two teams in the East were that night.

Sweet Revenge

The Celtics got their second shot against Detroit a couple weeks later at The Palace in Auburn Hills. The Celtics not only won the game, but at the same time they put an end to the Pistons' gaudy 11-game winning streak. As Mr. Ian Rider (respect the vets) discussed in a post after the game, Big Baby became a man that night. He scored what seemed like the last four or five buckets (thanks to some beautiful assists from Paul Pierce) to seal the deal for Boston’s big road victory.

Here we are two months later, and those two games against the Pistons still seem so fresh. The win in Detroit was the biggest of the season for the Celtics to date, and this time it will be the Pistons’ coming to town looking for revenge. They can play it off and act like this Wednesday night's game doesn’t mean a thing because it’s the regular season, but the truth is it does mean something. If Boston is able to win, they pave a nice road during the last month-and-a-half of the season to grab that coveted home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. That would be huge if these two teams end up meeting again in the playoffs.

Eastern Conference Finals Preview?

There is no doubt the Garden is going to be rocking Wednesday night. The two previous meetings this season went down to the wire and my guess is this one will too. Both teams will come out fired-up; it’s going to be who can remain that way down the stretch that will determine the outcome. Even if Sam Cassell plays, the Celtics should be a much better team by the time the playoffs start. This group of Celtics has only been together this season while the core group in Detroit has been a stable for countless years. Sure, they have the playoff experience and know what it takes to go all the way, but the Celtics are getting better with each game…and they’re getting a little taste of the playoffs this week, just like they did back in December.

At last…

Finally, Ian said it best back on January 5th.
BEAT DETROIT!

[FLCeltsFan]

www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x2004955344

Celtics: This one will settle score
Detroit enters Boston for rubber game of season set
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By Scott Souza/Daily News staff
GHS
Posted Mar 05, 2008 @ 12:36 AM

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WALTHAM — It may not be June yet. But it's not December or January anymore either.

The third installment of the Celtics-Pistons Trilogy tonight will not only settle the regular season series, but it may go a long way toward determining home-court advantage throughout the playoffs between two teams seemingly on a collision course atop the Eastern Conference.

"(Tonight's) game is going to be one of those games that will be a preview of what's to come in the future," said Ray Allen following yesterday's workout at the Sports Authority Training Center. "Once playoff basketball comes, it changes. The atmosphere changes a lot. It gives you great momentum going in knowing that you beat a team a couple of times.

"But, again, it changes. All of us have to change with it and understand the environment we are dealing with."

The atmosphere both teams deal with tonight at the TD Banknorth Garden (CSN, 7:30) should be intense.

"When you have the Detroit Pistons at home," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, " I don't think we will need a lot of motivational stuff."

Beyond the competitive fire that burns between the two best-record teams in the league, there is a practical motivation as well. The Celtics (46-12) enter the night four games in the loss column ahead of the Pistons (43-16) in the race for the best record in the East. A victory tonight goes a long way toward sewing up that top seed, while a loss puts Detroit right back in the mix with a favorable schedule down the stretch.

The Pistons, who hosted the struggling Sonics last night, play 13 of their final 20 games at home and have no more road games against Western Conference playoff teams, while the Celtics still must make their Texas trip in two weeks.

"When you play an elite team like Detroit, it is definitely going to be a measuring stick as to where you are at this point in the year," said Paul Pierce. "It's just a test for us once again. Last time we played them (in Boston), they beat us. So we have our work cut out for us."

Fittingly, the first two meetings have included playoff-type adjustments from both squads. When the Pistons handed the Celtics their first home loss of the season on Dec. 19, veteran guards Chauncey Billups and Rip Hamilton took over the game in the second half as they combined for 49 points on 16-of-28 shooting on the night.

In the rematch at Auburn Hills on Jan. 5, the Celtics adjusted to both the defensive pressure the Piston guards applied on the perimeter and their ability to dominate with their size offensively as the duo was held to 35 points on 10-of-28 shooting. The Celtics also featured rookie Glen Davis in the fourth quarter, who responded with a breakout 20-point performance in a 92-85 triumph.

"Playoff basketball is that," Allen said. "They know what we're running. We know what they're running. They do something as simple as run a pick-and-roll and then Rasheed Wallace hits a jump shot. You have to adjust to that and make them find something else."

Rivers expects the Pistons to be ready with some adjustments of their own.

"They are not going to make a lot of mistakes," said the coach. "They know what they want to do. Your job is to take them out of their comfort zone as much as possible."

***

Sam Cassell has officially signed after passing his physical, but he will not join the team today as originally hoped. Instead, the veteran point guard is heading to Baltimore to attend a family funeral. He is expected to join the team in time for Friday's home game against the Bulls. Rivers will decide then whether Cassell suits up or not.

Cassell did miss his last four games with the Clippers with a sore wrist, but that may have had something to do with his impending departure from the club, and Rivers didn't expect any physical restrictions keeping Cassell off the court with his new team. ...

Rookie Gabe Pruitt was reassigned to the Utah Flash of the NBDL for the third time this year. With the addition of Cassell, Pruitt's prospects for court time (even in practice) appeared slim.

[FLCeltsFan]

aol.nba.com/celtics/news/blog/post-ups.html

Tuesday, March 4 - PracticeUpdate: Cassell Officially Signs
Word from Waltham is that Sam Cassell has officially signed with the Celtics tonight, but he will not attend tomorrow's shootaround and he's not expected to play tomorrow against the Pistons.

See below for reaction from Doc and the team on the Cassell acquisition.

Anticipated Arrivals
With free agent point guard Sam Cassell due to arrive in Waltham late this afternoon and the Detroit Pistons coming to town tomorrow, the media was out in full force Tuesday to cover practice.

Cassell is expected to take a physical this afternoon and officially sign his deal tonight, and will likely to meet with reporters after tomorrow morning's shootaround here in Waltham.

Now that the secret is finally out, Rivers said he's talked to Cassell already but isn't sure exactly what to expect from adding him to the mix.

"I don't know yet, I'm not really thinking about it yet. I know you guys are and you've got to ask the question. He's a solid player, a terrific pick-and-roll player, he can make big shots at the end of games, and those are some of the things we hope he can do," Rivers said. "He's a veteran who's been through the wars, other than that -- that's a lot -- other than that, I don't know. We're just adding another piece to our puzzle and trying to be the best team we can be at the end of the year."

Rivers rules out any possibility of Cassell playing tomorrow against the Pistons on Wednesday (once again saying that he's "in no hurry"), but did say there's a chance P.J. Brown could make his Celtics debut against Detroit.

As for the Pistons, Paul Pierce says that the Celtics still regard them as a measuring stick for where the Celtics want to be, and he's looking forward to tomorrow's matchup. For Doc Rivers, he knows he doesn't have to do much to get his players fired up for the match-up, and he's excited himself for the big tilt.

"It's two very good basketball teams going at it, playing for home court. It's fun, but it's not a playoff game. Hopefully it's played at playoff intensity," Rivers said.

Asked what stands out about the Pistons, Rivers points to the recently-broken streak of 276 consecutive games started by Detroit's stating lineup of Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince. That kind of continuity breeds success, and Rivers is understandably envious.

"Our group has started together 40 [games]?" asked Rivers. "That's what you see. They're not going to make a lot of mistakes, they know exactly what they want, and your job is to try to take them out of their comfort zone, because they're so efficient."

Check the Audio Archive for sound from Rivers, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and P.J. Brown..

[FLCeltsFan]

forum.connpost.com/celticscentral/


Boston-Detroit: Round 3


That is how the Celtics are billing it according to the lead in video on the Jumbotron at the end of the last game against the Hawks.


That works for me.


It is a big game between the 2 most dominant teams in the league so far. They have split the first two contests between themselves with each stealing a W on the other's court.


If you check the defensive statistics of the top 2 defensive teams in the NBA, it is surprising how close they are. On FG%, 3 pt FG%, and points allowed, they are almost identical. The only substantial spread was on TOs and Boston was a few better.


Boston also turns the ball over more with a differential of 3.6 more (14.5 to Detroit's 10.9 per game).


Boston has out rebounded Detroit in both games, though by only 3 in the first game and by 14 in the 2nd. It was a game that Boston made an effort to gang rebound in, as eight different Celtics garnered between 4-9 rebounds in that game.


It was also the game Glen Davis led the team in scoring with 20 based on that amazing 4th quarter of his. I would not expect a repeat of that.


Paul Pierce had a tremendous game, though he only shot 5-16. He made big play after big play and finished with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, while going 8-8 from the foul line.


One thing Detroit has managed to do in both games is take the fluid passing game away from the Celtics. The Cs only had 18 assists on 34 made baskets in game #1, and 14 assists on 31 baskets in game #2. That is decidely below their season average and indicative of the kind of defensive pressure they are getting from the Pistons.


None of this is rocket science but...


What Boston must do to win:


1) Shoot the outside shot better.
Actually they don't have to. They haven't shot well from outside yet and were in both games without stroking it from the perimeter. They are one of the league's best 3 point shooting teams ...until they play the Pistons. They have shot 4-16 and 4-14 from beyond the arc in the two games they have played them. I don't expect them to out rebound the Pistons by 14 again. So it would make things easier if they can make Detroit hurt from outside.


2) Continue to take it inside, regardless of early results.
Getting Wallace and any other of the Detroit bigs in foul trouble will pay-off in the final quarter. Doc's mantra has been to pound the rock inside all year. Tonight should be no different. Doc has talked about interior passing and Perkins, and the Celtics did well with it against the Hawks Detroit will put up a more formidable defense.


3) Stay composed under pressure.
The lower assist numbers are from lack of ball movement and is partially due to wilting under the Detroit pressure. Detroit is as good as the Celtics are at taking away the things you are trying to do. The good thing is Boston has three guys (4 if you want to add Tony Allen) who can create their own shot when a play breaks down.


4) Limit penetration. Control the middle.
They have let the Pistons guards get their points in both games. They can allow a certain amount of that again, provided it is not down the lane. Mid range and outside shots are more manageable for keeping the Celtic bigs out of foul trouble.


These two teams are very evenly matched. Games like these are often games of will and composure. Boston needs this type of experience more than Detroit does. Perkins is playing his best ball of the year. A strong game here by Perkins would really give the Pistons something to think about. Garnett is healthy and the team has many more games under its belt since the last time they played. It should be a typical 'east coast style' war.


Sam Cassell is not expected to be at this game. He signed his Celtic contract and went back home to attend a funeral over the next few days.


P.J. Brown will be present, though also not expected to play.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.patriotledger.com/sports/x535482785

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By Mike Fine
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Mar 04, 2008 @ 11:46 PM

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QUINCY — WALTHAM – The Sam Cassell Era will be put on hold for a day. The newly signed Cassell was expecting to be with the Celtics for tonight’s big game against the Pistons at TD Banknorth Garden, but had to return to Baltimore for a funeral.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers had already said that Cassell, who negotiated his exit from the L.A. Clippers last week, would not play against the Pistons, which makes it unlikely that the veteran point guard will suit up for Friday’s Garden contest against the Bulls.

“I don’t know when I expect him to play,” said Rivers before learning of the death in Cassell’s family. He did know, though, that Cassell’s Celtics physical Tuesday was just a formality, despite the minor wrist injury that has kept him out of (Clippers) action since Feb. 20. “He’s gonna pass. We told the doctor to make sure he does.’’

The Celtics don’t feel the need to rush Cassell or the other 38-year-old newcomer, P.J. Brown, who has an outside shot at playing against the Pistons. Big as this game might be, it really doesn’t impact anything except egos for the time being. The Celtics are still the best in the East and the Pistons are second best, at least in the standings. Rivers and his players know that they’re playing at a high level, and the addition of two complimentary players is more a play for later in the season and the playoffs.

The Celtics are actually caught in something of a conundrum regarding this opponent and this game. On the one hand, the appearance of the Pistons, with whom the Celtics have split two games this season, signals a high-powered return to playoff-style atmosphere and competition. On the other hand, it’s only early March and each team has miles to go before it peaks. Especially the Celtics, who now qualify as a Pistons-type veteran team, but without the time in service together.

“It’s a great game because it’s two very good basketball teams fighting for home court,” Rivers said, “so it’s fun, (but) it’s not a playoff game. Hopefully it’s played with playoff intensity, but we’ve been around long enough to know for playoff games you have more time to prepare for each other and both teams have the same type of rest. It’s just different. But it’ll still be a fun game for us. I’m really looking for it.

Rivers knows that whatever the time of year, beating the Pistons, who won the 2004 championship with essentially this team, will take some doing. “They’re really good,” he said. “I don’t know what it was, but someone didn’t start the other day and it broke a string of 376 straight games they started together.”

Actually, the Pistons destroyed the Clippers Saturday despite the absence of point guard Chauncey Billups, ending a streak of 276 straight games in which Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton had started together. It was something that hadn’t been accomplished in the NBA since 1991-92, when the Pacers foursome of Reggie Miller, Mark Jackson, Rik Smits and Dale Davis did it.

“Our starting group has started together 40,” Rivers said. “That’s what you see. They’re not gonna make a lot of mistakes. They know exactly what they want. And your job is to try to take them out of some of their comfort. Because they’re so efficient. They really are. They’re a terrific basketball team.”

What is important to the Celtics is to use this game as something of a measuring stick, a chance to check where they are – not that there are a lot of doubts about that.

“Now on both sides we’re starting to shape up, when you see what the numbers are looking like and who’s going to be facing each other,” Ray Allen said. “It’s still too early to tell, but you pretty much know the teams that have been dominant throughout the season. I think (tonight) is going to be one of those games that will be a preview of what’s to come.

This is big for Paul Pierce because at this time last year, he said, he was making plans to go to Europe in April. “When you’re playing a team at an elite level as Detroit, it is definitely going to set a measuring stick to see where you are at this point of the year,” he said. “Both teams have been playing well throughout the whole season so it’s another test for us once again. Last time we played them they beat us here on our home court so we’ve got our work cut out for us because the Pistons are playing well as of late.

“You have a whole different mindset. At this time of the year you’re gearing for the playoffs, you’re doing the extra things on the court. You’re doing your workouts, you feel re-energized, especially come March as those last 20-25 games are winding down. It’s like at the beginning of the season because you’re gearing for a new season. At this point a lot of teams are getting ready to go home.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.hoopsvibe.com/nba-blog/buyer-beware-boston-celtics-taking-risk-with-sam-cassell-ar47502.html

Buyer Beware: Boston Celtics Taking Risk With Sam Cassell


March 04 08
My Quick Take: His wish has been granted. After months of speculation, the Los Angeles Clippers and Sam Cassell have agreed on a buyout, allowing the wily table-setter to officially sign with the powerhouse Boston Celtics for the remainder of the season.


This, of course, is what Cassell wanted. Signing with the green-and-white gives him another opportunity at an NBA Title.


And this is also what the Celtic players wanted. Kevin Garnett and Cassell helped Minnesota advance to the Western Conference Finals in 2004-05; in Milwaukee, a Gollum-Jesus Shuttlesworth (Cassell and Ray Allen) backcourt helped the Bucks push deep in the second season.


There are whispers the Celtics’ front-office wasn’t keen on Cassell.


Years ago, Boston GM Danny Ainge coached Cassell in Phoenix. The two didn’t click; Ainge had issues with Cassell’s shot-first, pass-second game. Eventually, the Suns dealt the table-setter to the Nets in the Jason Kidd trade.


Now consider match-ups. The Celtics seem destined for an Eastern Conference showdown with the Pistons, so how does Cassell, at 38, match-up against Chauncey Billups?


On offense, Cassell can’t take the bigger Billups down to the low-block. On defense, Cassell lacks the quicks to stay in front of Mr. Big Shot.


Several publications speculated on why this move was actually made.


In other words, this pickup is all about appeasing Kevin Garnett, who enjoyed his lone longest playoff run (Western finals; all the rest were one round and done) alongside Cassell (working the pick-and-roll to perfection, no doubt) and Latrell Sprewell. (New York Post)


Keeping Garnett happy is important. However, recreating the past is always risky, especially with a temperamental player like Cassell.


The jury is out on Boston’s latest move. It will only be deemed a success if Cassell helps the Celtics advance to the NBA Finals.


Was Cassell the right pickup for Boston? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts. (Image appears courtesy of JHasio on Flickr.com)

[FLCeltsFan]

www.patriotledger.com/sports/x357189901

Rondo secure in his spot
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By Mike Fine
The Patriot Ledger
Posted Mar 04, 2008 @ 11:42 PM

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QUINCY — WALTHAM – Sam Cassell is about to rejoin the Boston Celtics as Rajon Rondo’s backup.

Rondo might echo the sentiments of former New Jersey Nets great Derek Coleman by saying “Whoop-de-damn-do.”

It’s not that the 38-year-old veteran point guard can’t help spell Rondo, or even give him some valuable advice, but Rondo knows his job is not in jeopardy.

“He can only help,” said the second-year point guard, who’s averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 assists this season. “I don’t have any hard feelings. It’s only my second year.”

There’s also no hard feelings over Cassell’s Feb. 6 flagrant foul of Rondo during a game at the TD Banknorth Garden.

“It was a frustration foul,” Rondo said of the forearm to the head that got Cassell ejected. “It’s another great addition, another veteran guy that’s been in the game a long time, and also he’s a point guard, so he’ll be able to help me out a lot.”

Celts coach Doc Rivers told Rondo “it shouldn’t affect me or how I play as long as I continue to work hard. He said I can only get better with Sam coming in because he can help me out. They even mentioned sometimes I might play with Sam. I’m a competitor. What’s better for the team. As long as we win.”

Make no mistake about it, though, the Celtics are happy to have the veteran, who has played with both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, getting to the conference finals with both (Milwaukee and Minnesota). He’s also won two championship rings with Houston.

Yet Rivers said he hasn’t thought a lot about Cassell’s actual role.

“I’m not thinking about it a whole bunch. He’s a solid player, he’s a terrific pick and roll player, he can make big shots. Those are some of the things we hope he can do. He’s a veteran who’s been through the wars. Honestly, other than that I don’t know. Heck, we’re just adding another part, another piece to our puzzle and we’re just trying to put this together to be the best team we can be at the end of the year.’’

Around the rim

With Cassell originally expected for Wednesday, the Celtics sent rookie guard Gabe Pruitt to Utah of the NBDL for the third (and final) time.

“He just needs playing time,” Rivers said. “He’s not playing here at all and in practices the vets don’t let him in. He literally doesn’t get a chance to play. Even in practices, to try to get Eddie (House) off the floor, Tony (Allen) off the floor, they tell him no. So it’s been tough.” The Celtics were treated to an NBA Awareness program, conducted by former Celtic Kermit Washington, after practice Tuesday.

The series

The Celtics and Pistons will meet tonight for the third time, each having won on the other’s court. The Pistons won by two points on Dec. 19 when Allen fouled Chauncey Billups with a tenth of a second remaining. It ended a 12-game Garden winning streak by the home team. The Celts took the Jan. 5 game in Detroit, 92-85, ending Detroit’s 11-game winning streak, when rookie Glenn Davis scored 20 points – 16 in the fourth quarter.

In the spotlight

Kendrick Perkins is coming off two outstanding games, having scored 11 points with 12 rebounds and a career-high six assists against Atlanta Sunday. He scored 19 points with nine rebounds in the previous game against Charlotte. His performance could be a key against the Pistons’ Rasheed Wallace, who has been reunited with his veteran teammates, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton and Billups after Billups broke up a string of 276 straight games they’d played together when he left to attend to a personal matter before a game against the Clippers.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.enterprisenews.com/sports/x1561122095

C’s rev up for showdown with the Pistons
Tonight’s game may very well serve as a playoff preview.
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By Jim Fenton
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
Posted Mar 05, 2008 @ 12:47 AM

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WALTHAM — At this time a year ago, the Boston Celtics were stumbling towards the end of the season with a 17-42 record.

Instead of thinking about the playoffs, Paul Pierce was focusing on a vacation destination.

“I was making plans to go to Europe at this time last year,” said Pierce. “I won’t be making any plans now. I’m looking forward to the postseason. You have a whole different mindset. You feel reenergized in March.”

With six weeks remaining in the regular season and perhaps a long playoff run to follow, there is much more to do for Pierce and the Celtics in the 2007-08 season.

Rather than counting down the days until the finale, they are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting spring.

Tonight, the Celtics will get a taste of what lies ahead when they square off with the Detroit Pistons at the TD Banknorth Garden in a showdown of teams with the top two records in the NBA (7:35, TV: Comcast SportsNet; radio: WEEI-850 AM).

The 30th capacity crowd this season will be in rare form as the Celtics and Pistons, who have won on each other’s court, break a 1-1 tie in their final get-together.

“I don’t think there needs to be a lot of motivational stuff going into the game from me,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers following practice Tuesday. “I think they’ll have it themselves.

“It’s a great game because it’s two very good basketball teams, obviously, fighting for home court. It’s fun.

“It’s not a playoff game. Hopefully, it’s played at playoff intensity, but playoff games, you have more time to prepare for each other and both teams have the same type of rest. It’ll still be a fun game for us. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Celtics (46-12) can take a major step towards their goal of finishing with the best record as they have a four-game bulge in the loss column over the Pistons (44-16).

A win over Detroit, and Boston would be up by five games and be in possession of the tiebreaker.

“I think it’s going to be very important,” said Pierce. “We’re a team that really thrives at home with the type of crowd we have. We’ve been playing well.

“These games are definitely important, especially when you’ve got a team that is right behind you battling for the best record in the Eastern Conference.”

The Pistons edged by the Celtics, 87-85, on their first visit to Boston on Dec. 19 when old friend Chauncey Billups was fouled by Tony Allen and hit two free throws with 0.1 seconds left.

The Celtics bounced back and won in Auburn Hills, Mich., 92-85, on Jan. 5 when rookie Glen Davis had a career-best 20 points, 16 of them in the fourth quarter.

After tonight, the Celtics and Pistons will either meet in the conference finals or next season.

Winners of five straight games since losing three in a row out West, the Celtics are looking forward to seeing how fare in a tense setting against another team with hopes of winning the NBA championship.

“When you’ve got a team on the elite level like Detroit, it’s definitely a measuring stick to see where you are at this point in the year,” said Pierce. “Both teams have been playing well the whole season. It’s just another test for us once again.

“Last time we played them, they beat us on our home court. They’ve played well of late and are hungry for another championship. We’ve got to be ready.”

In case the Celtics and Pistons do land in the conference finals together, this will be one last chance for both sides to get an up-close look at each other.

“You learn more about them as well and how they play you and how you play against them,” said Rivers. “It should be a fun game. Both teams will absolutely want it and that makes it a good NBA game. We’ve been in a bunch of them, and I think all those experiences are good for us.

“They’re really good. They’re not going to make a lot of mistakes. They know exactly what they want. Your job is to try to take them out of some of their comfort. They’re so efficient. They’re a terrific basketball team.”