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May 12, 2009
Celtics Split Double Header in Game 5: 92-88
No one thought they were going to see two games tonight. TNT only advertised one game. Admission was only charged for one game by the Celtics. Pregame scalpers didn't seem to know about it either. I checked my press pass. Just one contest.
Strangely, there was no announcement. But there it was. Boston and Orlando went 1-1 tonight. The good thing is that only the last part counted. No matter how things start, it is how they end that matters.
Two Different Games
Well it was more like one main game and a short feature. Like they used to do at the movies years ago, I'm told. Except in this case, the short was the important part. Perhaps more like a mystery, everything changes, new facts emerge in the final few minutes and you wonder how we got here from there. Surprise ending? Yes. Stunning, in fact.
The Orlando Magic completely won most of this game. They came from a 6-2 opening deficit to storm ahead of the Celtics by the end of the opening quarter 22-16. They shook off another Glen Davis 20 foot jump shot to open the game just to remind them of the nightmare finish of just two nights before.
Orlando defended well, outplaying the seemingly unenthused Celtics. They led by as many as 14 point and beat the Celtics by 77-63 in a 38 minute and 31 second game. The lead was never less than 5 and hovered around 7-9 points for most of the game.
Then without warning, a second game was started. There was no jump ball, singing of the Star Spangled Banner or anything. Like a good mystery, it was started by a lurking secondary character.
With just a bit part in the first half, one maligned and down trodden Stephon Marbury stepped back onto the stage and drilled a three pointer, 77-66. Then Tony Battie missed a shot and Eddie House rebounded. Pass to Marbury. Swish. 20 footer. 77-68.
From there, support came from Glen Davis who was going from hero to zero with a 4 for 11 head shaking performance draped around his neck. Working right to left, he drives the middle and he makes, not one, but two straight jump hooks over the league's Defensive Player of the Year and league leading shot blocker, Dwight Howard.
Then Marbury gets fouled on a made jumper and hits the free throw, 75-83. After a Turkoglu
short jump shot on the move, Glen Davis hits two more jumpers, after a 3 for 9 first half for him. It is now 79-85. A lifeless Celtic team was awakened...by two unexpected catalysts.
From there, it was on. Paul Pierce made a lay-up and Perkins made a reverse lay-up on a feed from Ray Allen.
Ray Allen, shooting 2-9 at that point, makes a three pointer on a feed from Rondo to give the Celtics their first lead at 86-85, since it was 8 to 6. It was a 23 to 8 run over just 8 minutes.
With the Celtics looking like a new team. Gripping that lead in a strangle hold, the Magic would play hard but never lead again. Orlando didn't make field goal in the last 5 plus minutes.
From there the game turned into a free throw contest in the last 8.5 seconds. The Celtics made six straight on two each by House, Ray Allen and Davis to close out the win.
The Celtics never led in the game by more than their final margin of 4.
Paul Pierce almost had a triple double with19 points on 6 of 11 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. Glen Davis took game honors with 22 points on 8 of 16 shooting.
Stephon Marbury scored 12 points on 5 of 6 shooting, all in the final quarter and Davis teamed with him for 10 more of the Celtics' 31 points. Marbury's offensive explosion was the ignition to the Celtics' push.
Doc Rivers has said that Marbury would help the Celtics win at least one playoff game. With the lack of bench support, let's hope there is more in them Coney Island bones.
Kendrick Perkins has quietly held down and somewhat exposed one of the league's supposedly most dominant forces. Dwight Howard carries the moniker Superman. If Howard is Superman, then the Celtics have Kryptonite in Perkins. He has weakened Howard just enough for the Celtics to take a 3-2 lead in the series.
Brain Scalabrine once again hit two big three pointers when few outside shots were falling for the Celtics in the first half.
With two straight game stealing wins, it remains to be seen if the Celtics can capitalize and close the Magic out on Thursday night.
Posted by Tom on May 12, 2009 11:52 PM
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Comments
Paul played close to a perfect game.
"....19 points on 6 of 11 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists."
Only 11 shots, but active in all areas of play.
As he and Ray Allen show their age (and possible injuries) this is the kind of above the neck play that could keep the Celtics in contention for a few more years.
Now it's time for Garnett to take off his "Little Lord Fauntelroy" suit and get out on the floor. Why not? If he ever wants his leadership mantle back, he'd better at least give it a try.
The diminutive Eddie House, lacking in the physical aspect most attributed to his sport, just like last year, when there are tired legs all around him, ignites the team with his energy.
How long can the C's keep this up? If they do get to the city by the burning lake, they will need their "Big Ticket."
Posted by: JB at May 13, 2009 6:21 AM
Hmmm.... interesting Pierce endorsement. And agreed. As they say, Paul and Ray played with their heads, not above them.
Isn't it amazing that Ray Allen is a player that you still want taking the biggest shots in the game after being cold previously?
Can't remember a team doing what the Cs are doing, in a similar position. Many sight the 86-87 Cs, but missing KG makes that a poor analogy for me.
Don't know what to say about the KG comment. It has been my opinion that he rest completely instead of doing stupid daily work outs (what ever they are) and not allowing the best circumstances for healing. He might have been further along by now.
Having said that, I think we're all in the dark on that one.... unless you know something I don't.
A KG return for the ECF would be grand, indeed. - Assuming the Cs get there, and I do assume that - finally.
T
Posted by: Tom halzack at May 13, 2009 1:30 PM
Two games indeed and I almost shut it off after the first one. The Cardiac Celtics is what these guys should be called.
Despite the win, I'm not thrilled with how this team is playing right now especially Rondo and Ray Allen. They've had two subpar performances. Ray Allen not only miss shots but made some bonehead turnovers.
These old guys perplex me at times.
Posted by: Yak at May 13, 2009 1:57 PM
I have to think that Rondo is still not 100% healthy. He is missing way too many lay ups since game 6 of the last series.
Ray? Hmm.... I guess he's not perfect either. In the past, I have noticed the occasional bonehead play by the team's most cerebral player. A few too many last night though.
Still, I'm comfortable with him taking the big shots at the end, even if he's been off all game. He has proven that his 'hit rate' in those situations is as good as anyone's.
Yeah, old guys are tough to figure, aren't they?
T
Posted by: Tom halzack at May 13, 2009 4:28 PM
"Can't remember a team doing what the Cs are doing, in a similar position."
Well, there was the year 1968-69, when it seemed the whole team was hurt, but they gutted it out.... and as you say in 87 several played hurt and fell short.... oh, but you're right.... they tried to play through their injuries.... my bad.... and Russell or Bird would never wear sissy suits like Garnett wears, or make little finger signs on the bench, or.... well, you get the drift... ;>)
Posted by: JB at May 13, 2009 6:01 PM
I saw that.....the walking finger signs on the bench...what was he trying to say? I didn't really understand the message.
I heard that Pierce made similar signs?
Posted by: Tom Halzack at May 13, 2009 9:37 PM
