That was one kick-ass start to the season. An emotional ring and banner ceremony followed by a 90-85 victory over Cleveland. This one wasn't pretty, but considering all the bawling that went on before the game started, I'll take the win. Memo to the Cavs: We get it, you have a chip on your shoulder after last year's loss and want to prove you are a tough team.
Some observations:
-C's started first quarter flat, sloppy, missing open shots and playing little D. But thanks to solid play by Pierce (11 pts) and Powe (5 pts) at the tail end of the quarter, they only trailed by 6 (28-22). Not surprisingly, the HD feed from Comcast/TNT was equally as crappy.
-The 2nd unit, mainly Eddie House and Tony Allen (combined 2-10 FG), really struggled in the 2nd quarter. While I give TA credit for his aggressiveness, he was too wild on the offensive end. Ugliest stat of the first half – Celtics 0-9 on 3s.
-Celts jack up the intensity in the 3rd and use a 12-2 run to finally take the lead. We get our first "Cobra" sighting midway through the quarter. Rondo takes his second hard fall of the game and my hatred for the Cavs increases tenfold. An 8-0 run at the end of the 3rd puts the C's up 7. LeBron is on the bench with 4 fouls.
-Second unit starts the 4th quarter strong. An under control Tony Allen was slashing to the hoop and taking it to LeBron…My favorite sequence comes when Powe posterizes Delonte West with a monster right-hand dunk and then takes a charge on the other end.
-Perkins still doesn't know how to set screens!!! His foul with 3 minutes left….was covered up by the ensuing traveling call on LBJ. Rondo stepped up his play in the 4th with a couple of steals and buckets.
-James gagged hard, missing 2 of 4 throws in the final 10 seconds. Powe put the exclamation point on the win with another monster dunk.
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