Celtics Drop the Ball to Cavs, 108-88


Talk about a "tale of two halfs". The first half of tonight's game between the Celtics and Cavaliers was a polar opposite from the second half. The energy displayed by the team right out of the gate was just so good to watch, especially playing against the number one team in the Eastern Conference. We haven't seen too much of that kind of confident play since the beginning of the season. The first quarter was all about Rondo, as he scored 8 of the first 10 points for the C's in just the first four minutes. For the first half of that quarter, every bucket had been touched by Rondo either by sinking it himself, or with an assist. Boston came out on all cylinders tonight, and it certainly seemed they were headed for a win. They were up by ten at the end of the first quarter, Celtics 31, Cleveland 21.

Yes, no lead is a comfortable one, but this felt different...

Second quarter, the C's came out still on fire, with Rasheed, Nate Robinson, and Ray all sinking three's within the first two minutes. Not that Cleveland didn't have some great possessions of their own, especially for Anderson Varejao who was consistent all night and came up big for the Cavs when they needed it. By the end of the first half, Boston was up by eight, 56-48. The Boston fans showed their appreciation for the excellent effort the Celtics were putting forth with a standing ovation nearing the end of the half.


Now for some random thoughts on the rest of the game and a few other things:

  • Ray Allen offered another stellar performance, sinking four from downtown and contributing consistently yet again.
  • Cleveland managed to eek out this win despite Shaq's "significant, severe sprain" to his right thumb. I repeat, he suffered a "significant, severe, sprain" to his thumb.
  • Glen Davis - if he wants the "BIG BABY" moniker to go away, I suggest he leave his pacifier in during play, and remove it when the whistle blows like the other professionals do.
  • Third quarter: Celtics lead is now down to one point, 74-73.
  • During a time out in the fourth quarter, Doc speaks the truth: "we need a lift/we're flat/we need to get our pace back"... it didn't happen.
  • Why was Rondo shooting from downtown when we really needed each bucket to count?
  • Cleveland sinks a lot of threes. Mo Williams was HOT as far as that goes.
  • Perk - what a class act - he takes the high road and doesn't get into a scuffle when LeBron James gives him a shove after Perk barely touched his arm, followed by a bigger shove from Varejao. James was given a personal foul for that, and Varejao a technichal, called just as it should have been.
  • The energy that belonged to Boston and Rajon in particular was passed on to JJ Hickson of Cleveland in the final quarter. He was everywhere.
  • Rajon Rondo slowed down the play to a near stop at the end of both the first and second quarter, and we were unable to score either time. He really has to stop that...
  • As for Rondo's scoring tonight: 12 points at the end of 1st quarter. 14 points end of 2nd. Add 5 more for the rest of the game.
So Boston loses at home, by twenty points. We really could have had this game. Especially with the previously mentioned significant, severe, sprain.