I lost a lot of interest in this preseason game once I learned that New Jersey Brooklyn would not play Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez – a group otherwise known as its starting five.
Regardless of who was on the floor for New Brooklyn, I wanted to see the Celtics play with intensity. And thanks to Paul Pierce, they did. The Truth (29 points, 6-8 3FGs in 27 minutes) set the tone in the first half. He was filling the lane on fast breaks, dropping bombs from deep (did you see that 30-footer?) and taking offensive fouls.
Speaking of energy, Jeff Green had 14 points in 28 minutes. He continues to play aggressive and smart. KG had 8 points and 3 blocks in 14 minutes. The CSNNE mics picked up a raunchy expletive after one of those blocks.
Andray Blatche torched the Celtics for 23 points. Andray. Blatche.
Rajon Rondo played a game high 35 minutes. With the waiving of Jamar Smith and Dionte Christmas, there’s speculation the Celtics are looking to add a veteran combo guard.
Doc Rivers did not coach the team in the 2nd half. It appeared to be a planned move to give the assistants experience coaching the team. Call it the Rivers Ejection Preparedness Plan.
Darko Milicic did not play. He was scheduled to have a cortisone shot in his right wrist and is doubtful for Thursday night’s game in Brooklyn.
Oh yeah, Brooklyn won 97-96.
As you can tell by the cross-outs, I’m not used to typing Brooklyn.
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