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.
Yet when it counted, nobody could produce. Allen missed a 3-pointer and a jumper. Kevin Garnett missed an open jumper. Brandon Bass missed one of his customary midrange jumpers after hitting seven of his previous eight shots. And, under pressure, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo missed last-second 3-point attempts.
“The problem was we couldn’t get any stops,’’ Pierce said about the final three minutes. “Kobe made some tough shots. They went down to Bynum and [Pau] Gasol. I thought we probably fouled too much down the stretch. I thought we had great looks, though.’’
The Celtics had shot 64.7 percent (22 for 34) in the second half entering the final 2:41. Allen and Bass were making jumpers. Garnett’s stepback was falling, and Pierce, who was 2 of 11 in the first half, played distributor in the second.
“In the fourth quarter so many different guys can make shots for us,’’ Allen said. “We all were in good situations to score but it didn’t go our way. The last two or three possessions, we got good shots.’’
Globe – Celtics swing and miss
I disagree with Paul Pierce. When you fail to score a basket over the final 2:41, you blame the offense.
It was the easier challenge in this game. Odds are, Kobe Bryant is going to make a bucket. Same goes for Andrew Bynum posting up the Celtics thin front line.
The Celtics had good looks and missed. sometimes basketball analysis is that simple.
Thanks to everyone who enjoyed the game with us at The Place. We had a helluva time. As soon as my hangover eases up, I’ll post some photos.
Related links: ESPN Boston – Celtics missing something at the end | CSNNE – Celtics falter down the stretch | Herald – Celtics go lame in stretch
On Page 2, Chris Wilcox season may be over.
“He’s always had something, where he did it for the last four or five years in Detroit, where every month he had to have it checked. He never had a condition, but we all have things we’re a candidate for, but it was never a condition that was risky, and unfortunately now it may be.”
“With Chris’ situation, we don’t know if he’s going to come back or not, and the (trade) deadline is coming up (Thursday),” the coach said. “The quicker we find that out helps out, but we need another (big man) regardless. But I don’t think there’s a lot of teams lining up to help us.”
Rivers said Wilcox will be further checked out next week, perhaps at the Cleveland Clinic, the same place where Green had his surgery.
“Not much I can say,” Rivers said. “They have a bunch of tests to run, and that’s what it is. Team-wise it’s a helluva blow for us. That’s how you have to look at it.”
Herald – For Doc, Wilcox issue is scary stuff
This doesn’t sound good. Like we said with Jeff Green, this is much bigger than basketball. Wilcox needs to do whatever is necessary to ensure a long and healthy life.
As for the Celtics options of landing a decent big man without using the nuclear option, I don’t have any names for you.
Related links: Globe – Wilcox out indefinitely | CSNNE – A ‘chance’ Wilcox season is over | ESPN Boston – Help wanted: Big men
The rest of the links:
WEEI – End of a Celtics/Lakers era? | ESPN – Celtics/Lakers: What’s next | Rondo nixes glasses | Herald – Sometimes size wins out | Kobe understands Pierce’s LA plight |
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
