The Night The Lights Went Out In Boston

It was a sad day indeed when the Celtics let the baby Bulls let go of their binky.  Derrick Rose ran rough shod into the teeth of their defense.  Ray Allen was a no show, but I cannot fault him.  I believe he was feeling the effects of too much time off. 

He missed the last three games of the regular season and add to the that the two days in between the start of the playoffs.  He has not played in five days and he had lost his rhythm.

Pierce reverted to the pre-big three days and became a solo act.  The first possession of the game was a post up for him.  Rondo passed the ball into him and he quickly shot a fade away shot over John Salmons; a player he could easily out muscle in the post.

To top it off he could not make the free throw with the game on the line.

That set the tone for the game, it was mano-a-mano from then on.  The Bulls simply clogged the middle and the Celtics wilted. 

The Celtic bench fared no better.  Eddie House shot the ball as if this was his first playoff game.  He rushed his shot and continuously lost sight of Rose in transition.

Marbury played too much like a Rondo clone instead of taking charge of the second unit. He also forced his passes.  The Celtics need Stephon to become more offensive minded and be the leader of the second unit.  It is time for him to step out of the shadows.

Mikki Moore, as usual, lacked the bulk and heart to use his length on the boards and defensive end.

The Bulls simply out hustled and out quickened Boston to every loose ball.

A perfect example was the last play of the first half when one of the bulls shot an air ball; all the Celtics were outside of the paint and Brad Miller simply caught the ball and laid it in.

The Celtics turned and looked at each other with a stunned look on their faces as they walked off the court.

I have to say if this is the way they are going to play then they really don't have a chance to get out of the first round.  Everyone knows the Celtics have had problems winning on the road during the playoffs.  Now they have lost home court.

They have given the Bulls confidence and it is a dangerous thing when young men start feeling like they are grown.