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.
“[Irving] went to the basket, came down, and elbowed me right on my collarbone. It’s just a little swollen,” Bradley said, later adding, “It hurts, but I’ll be fine. I get injured all the time. I’ll be all right.”
Upon seeing Bradley reach for his shoulder area, many wondered if he had aggravated one of the shoulder injuries he suffered last season that required surgery and kept him out until January of this year. But Bradley quickly denied any connection to his past shoulder problems.
“No, not at all. Not at all. Just my collarbone,” said Bradley, who had ice wrapped on the sore area after the game.
“I think he’s fine,” said Rivers. “I think it was more the hit. I was concerned when he grabbed his shoulder that it was his shoulder, and Kyrie informed me that he shot him with an elbow; it had nothing to do with the shoulder. So I told Kyrie, ‘Thank you, for the update.'”
Thank God. The last thing this team needs is another injury, major, minor or otherwise.
In addition to the bone bruise, Bradley suffered another horrific shooting night (3-12 FG). He was 13-22 FG in the previous two games and there was hope that he was turning the corner on his March shooting woes (36%).
Related links: CSNNE – Bradley bruises collarbone
In other news, despite the Celtics free-fall, they remain in the 7th spot, 2.5 games ahead of the Bucks. Doc Rivers prefers to avoid the Heat in round 1:
That’s right, the coach is freely admitting he would rather not be flying to Miami to open this postseason. The Heat have been easily the class of the Eastern Conference this season (they’ll get some arguments from the West), and Rivers would like to put off that meeting — if he has to attend it at all.
“Yeah, of course we would,” he said. “But if we play them, we’ll be ready. But, of course, we would (rather avoid the Heat in the first round).
“I think that’s . . . listen, I’m not that dumb. I mean, I’m not the brightest guy, but, c’mon. Really. You would love to avoid anyone. But no matter who we play, we’re going to play a tough team. It’s going to be New York, Indiana or Miami. There’s no cakewalks for us. It’s going to be hard.”
Even with a rested KG ready to return, I’m not feeling good about this team’s chances in the opening round of the playoffs. The whole ‘flip-the-switch’ in the playoffs mentality doesn’t sit well with me. I give them NO chance vs Miami. It’s arrogant and ignorant to think the floundering Celtics can beat the red-hot Knicks 4 out of 7 times. Maybe they could squeak past Indy. Maybe.
Related links: ESPN Boston – C’s eye 7th seed, avoid Heat | Herald – Celts lost w/o Big Two | CSNNE – Rivers would love to avoid Heat | WEEI – Doc Rivers wants no part of Heat
Promo alert: John is on AM 1510 from 10-12 this morning. Listen live here.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE – Green taken aback by KG praise | Green: It means a lot to be a starter | Randolph lights up | ESPN Boston – Fouls, loss spoil Shav’s night | Green on KG: I learn everything from him | Green nominated for Player of Month | Herald – Shav opts not to cry foul | Garnett a possibility for Sunday | Globe – Randolph fast work | Cleveland hands shorthanded C’s another loss |
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