Celtics - Getting Inside

As the playoffs roll on, the biggest Celtic concern seems to be a problem that is coming from within. Often when faced with a tight situation, the Celtics have shown a tendency to veer away from their offense into an individualistic game.

Doc Rivers generally chalks it up to players wanting very badly to win, but there’s no question it’s become a problem.

“It’s part of growth,” said the Celtics’ coach, who has chastised the team for this issue. “It’s part of growth and trust, and we didn’t have those tests during the regular season. Even in the tight games, it wasn’t the same pressure situation.

“I was most upset about it in Game 6 against Atlanta. We did it perfectly in Game 5, then we went away from it. We talked about it at halftime, and then we went out and did the same (thing). It was because everybody wanted to win, so they started trying to do more. I thought it started on defense and it carried over.”

Logically, it seems the Celtics would fall back on their support when things get tough, but that hasn’t always been the case.

“They know better, but they can’t help themselves sometimes,” said Rivers. “You know better, but you’re a good player and you get the ball and you want to make a play for your team. So instead of making the simple play, you break the offense and try to do something. But every team goes through it. I just heard Pop (Gregg Popovich) complaining about it the other night, and the Spurs have been together for eight or 10 years. It happens.”

Celtics 89, Cavaliers 73: The Celtics got the rest of their “Big Three” in gear Thursday, and once again they held LeBron James down. That added up to an easy win that gives the Celtics a 2-0 lead in this conference semifinal series.

After scoring four points in the opener, Paul Pierce went for a team-high 19. Ray Allen, scoreless in Game 1—and in the first half Thursday—went for 16 after the break. Eleven of them came in the third quarter when the Celtics were turning a 44-36 halftime lead into a 19-point advantage after three quarters.

James had 21 points, but after going two for 18 from the floor in the opener, he made just six of his 24 field goal attempts in Game 2.

“Just a better overall effort,” said Doc Rivers, comparing this to the 76-72 nail-biter. “I thought the defense was pretty much the same, pretty solid. I thought the offense was terrific in spurts.”

The first big spurt came in the second quarter when a largely bench-filled lineup went on a 10-0 run to give the Celts their first lead of the night.

The run then grew to 34-9, and it was all but over.

Notes, Quotes

• Doc Rivers has always spoken glowingly of LeBron James, and he said he got a new appreciation when coaching him in this year’s All-Star Game.

“The thing that impressed me was his focus in the huddle,” said Rivers. “He was standing on the outside of the huddle, but it was like he was directing a beam at me. I drew up a play, and he ran it as if he had been running it his whole life.”

• Kevin Garnett wasn’t upset at all about losing out on the Most Valuable Player award to Kobe Bryant. Garnett finished third behind Chris Paul, as well.

“It’s great,” Garnett said. “I’m happy for (Bryant). Lord knows that he’s worthy. This probably won’t be his last. Congratulations to him and he’s definitely worthy of it.”

Speaking of the MVP voting, Rivers said, “I don’t think anyone in our locker room cares. You don’t hear anyone ever talk about them, which is interesting. You usually hear teams talking about awards. No one has talked about them.”

Garnett did win the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Quote To Note: “I think Doc said it from Day One. If we’re going to be a good team, we’ve got to establish home court.”—Paul Pierce, after moving to 6-0 at home in the playoffs.

Roster Report

Rotation: Point guard Rajon Rondo, Shooting guard Ray Allen, Small forward Paul Pierce, Power forward Kevin Garnett, Center Kendrick Perkins. Bench—Guard Eddie House, Forward James Posey, Guard Tony Allen, Guard Sam Cassell, Forward Leon Powe, Forward Glen Davis, Forward P.J. Brown, Forward Brian Scalabrine, Guard Gabe Pruitt.

Player Notes:

• G Rajon Rondo had just seven points, all from the line and all in a 1:19 span at the end of the third quarter.

• F Kevin Garnett was voted to the All-NBA first team. He received the third-most votes overall.

• F Paul Pierce was voted to the All-NBA third team. He received two first-team votes.

• G Sam Cassell actually got more playing time than Rondo at the point, 26 minutes to 23. He made his first three shots and had nine points.