Remember everything positive we said about the Celtics following the Game 1 victory? I guess it applies to Philadelphia now. The 76ers made the smart, clutch plays down the stretch to beat the Celtics 82-81 in Game 2.
Spare me the bitching about the illegal screen whistle on Kevin Garnett with :10 remaining. While I'm all for officials swallowing whistles in key moments, this call had to be made. Garnett's illegal screen on Iguodala (I think?) was BLATANT. It gave Paul Pierce a couple of feet of separation. Ref had to make the call.
Can someone explain to me why Doc Rivers ordered Rajon Rondo to foul with 14 seconds remaining in the game and 10 seconds on the shot clock? While it would have been tight, the Celtics could have played out the clock, got the rebound, called time out and set up a play. The foul reset the shot clock to 14 and forced the Celtics to play the free throw game. Bonehead move by Doc.
What in the hell were the Celtics trying to do with their possession at the 1:00 minute mark? Up 1 with the ball, Rajon Rondo stood at the top of the key and the Celtics kept running sets until Rondo jacked up a 20 footer. Awful.
The Celtics effort was hideous and lazy. They scored 24 points COMBINED in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Credit Philly for some aggressive defense, but the Celtics offense was a train wreck. Garnett had about 5 shots thru 3 quarters. How is that possible?
Philly did catch some breaks. Not sure it's possible for Lavoy Allen to wind up his jumpshot in 0.9 seconds.
The news on this injury front gets worse. Avery Bradley's shoulder popped out again. He did return in the 4th quarter. Pierce is not right. The Celtics might benefit from him sitting out a few games. Mickeal Pietrus woke from his slumber and nailed two 3-pointers in the 4th quarter. But just as Pietrus was warming up, Doc yanked him for the ineffective Pierce.
This is vintage Celtics. Nothing is easy. Ever.
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