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.
"His minutes were low, but he was going in that 12 minutes in a row stretch which we try to avoid with him, " Rivers said. "But we had to keep him out on the floor."Even as Paul Pierce was delivering a slew of big shots through three-plus quarters, he too recognized Garnett had the hot hand and so that's what the C's rode down the stretch."We kept giving him the ball and he just kept coming through," said Pierce who had a team-high 27 points. "He's on a wonderful stretch. The last 20 games, he's been playing just unbelievable."
CSNNE: Garnett continues to turn back clock with vintage game
That lay up was the point where you had to know this was going to be KG's night.
There was a stretch where KG made four straight baskets to go on a personal 8-2 run to turn a five-point lead into an 11 point lead. After the third jumper, which made it 100-91, Chris Bosh… as the shot went in… dropped his shoulders, dropped his head, and let the world know he was defeated.
Weird stat of the night: Kevin Garnett, who was simply so awesome there was no way the Celtics would have won without him, finished the game with a -2. His victim, Bosh, whose biggest contribution to the game was appearing in an "NBA Cares" promo, was a game high +12.
Sometimes, stats lie.
Related links: ESPN Boston: The "unbelievable" KG
On Page 2: Why the Ray Allen to the bench story is overblown
“The shots that I am getting now, you just kind of build into them,’’ Allen said when asked if the shots coming off the bench are different. “You adjust to how [defenses] are coming to you and you understand that and you adjust to that situation or role.’’
Allen struck quickly Tuesday, draining a leaning jumper after a timeout and following with a 3-pointer from the corner.
Allen said he has not consulted with any of his NBA friends or peers about coming off the bench later in a career.
“It’s not difficult,’’ he said. “It’s just being ready.’’
Globe: Allen quietly adjust to new role
The Ray Allen to the bench story is a bit overblown. People made too much of it. It's almost better to think of it as Doc subbing Avery in for Ray at the start of the game. The Celtics have started out great with Ray on the bench and Celtics second quarters have gone amazingly well with Ray and KG starting them at the same time.
Ray's minutes have barely taken a hit since he hit the bench and he still playing down the stretch. Doc has simply changed when Ray Allen is in the game. Ray played a great game last night, hitting big shots to keep the Miami Heat at arm's length. As far as this whole switch is concerned, I'd say last night went about as well as we could hope.
The rest of the links:
CSNNE: Celtics make a statement in Miami | Pietrus might return for playoffs | ESPN Boston: On to the next one | WEEI: KG, Celtics tame Heat again | Are the Celtics legitimate contenders? | Globe: Celtics shrug off Heat | Herald: Celtics have all the answers | Bench looks very sturdy | Heat take notice of Bradley
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