[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAzapxkgsRc&w=440&h=390]
Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
After letting the Rockets shoot 52.7 percent, Rivers said, "I told our guys I thought overall it was probably our worst defensive effort in three, four years as far as overall effort … That’s a mental mindset and it starts with me. I’ve got to somehow figure out a way of getting them to see the urgency of the whole season and not the single game.
"To me, you can see them thinking about the individual game and not the ramifications of the entire season. Playing Game 7 on the road, not just in the Finals if you make it there, but in the playoffs. In the East, which is going to be difficult. This year’s not like last year where you can coast. You don’t have home court this year, you could go home.”
Has Rasheed Wallace infiltrated this team? The Celtics have returned to their frustrating old regular season ways.
I'll be the first one to defer criticism by pointing out the major injuries, but there's no excuse for the lack of effort and urgency.
I was convinced this team was different than last year. I was convinced they'd go full throttle all year long. Their record since Christmas is 5-5.
Related links: Herald – All starts with sloppy defense | CSNNE – Celtics face questions about mental toughness | Globe – Disappointment felt throughout | WEEI – Doc doesn't like where team is at
On Page 2, Ray Allen's sore shoulder.
Celtics guard Ray Allen admitted to soreness in his left shoulder and left side after stepping into a blindside fourth-quarter screen set by Houston's Jared Jeffries, but was waiting until morning to see how much pain lingered from the incident that briefly chased him from Monday's game.
Allen was defending ball-handler Courtney Lee on the left wing when Jeffries approached and set a pick that Allen couldn't avoid as he turned to chase Lee on a drive. Allen crumpled to the floor and soon departed the game, getting a brief examination from trainer Ed Lacerte before returning after five minutes on the bench.
Allen hit a 3-pointer with little more than two minutes to go, the final of his team-high 19 points on the night, but figured adrenaline was propelling him at that point.
"I just took a hard hit and kind of collapsed on [the left] side," said Allen. "I’m sore. I’ll see how it feels [Tuesday]."
Asked what hurts, Allen said, "My shoulder, but kind of my side. You get so much adrenaline running that you don’t really feel it. Once I got in the [locker room], it got sore."
Ray went on to say that he doesn't think he'll miss Wednesday's game vs Sacramento.
You can debate whether the screen was illegal (Doc thought it was). I just never know when a screen is legal or not. There is zero consistency amongy officials regarding this rule.
Related links: CSNNE – Allen not expected to miss time | Herald – Pick set by Jeffries a sore spot for Allen
The rest of the links:
Globe – Nate immersed in dunk talk | Celtics hit by Rockets fire | CSNNE – Davis playing too many minutes | ESPN Boston – Daniels sparks 2nd unit |
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