NBA Monday Night Round Up

Celtics (17-2) Too Much for Magic (13-5): 107 -88

The Boston Celtics are starting to play like the Big Green Machine of last year as they dismantled the guard depleted Southeast Division leading Orlando Magic by 19 points.

After a less than dominant start to the season (in spite of their record), and a tightly packed stretch of games, the Beantown Ballers are winning by an average of 14.71 points over the last 7 games and looking better and better in the process.

Paul Pierce led Boston with 24 points with one of his patented, efficient, offensive barrages. He produced 17 points in the critical third period when Boston pulled away from a 2 point half time lead. They led by a score of 77-65 at the end of the third. He was 9 of 10 from the foul line for the game, 7 of 13 shooting from the floor, while adding 7 rebounds.

Pierce did most of his damage to Hedo Turkoglu, while Rashard Lewis did no better defending Pierce in relief of Hedo in that third period. Paul had a three pointer, some pull up and fade away jumpers, and a number of drives for lay-ups and foul shots throughout.

Ray Allen continued his recent marksmanship with 21 points, 14 in the first half as he and Rondo got the Celtics off to a quick start with a combined 17 points in the Celtic first quarter (28-18, Celtics). He was 3 of 6 from the arc for the game and is 17 of 32 (53%)over the last 5 games. Until this stretch, Ray was only 21 for 74 on the year from downtown - just 28%.

Kevin Garnett added 15 points on 7 of 11 shooting to go with 9 rebounds. But it was KG's help defense combined with Kendrick Perkins' defense that contained the NBA's premiere young big man, Dwight Howard, holding him to 14 points on 5 of 12 shooting while the Celtics scored 107 points of their own.

Though superstrong Howard had 15 rebounds and 4 blocks, he was largely minimized and played without 2 injured starting guards, Jameer Nelson and Keith Bogans. Michael Pietrus is also injured and did not suit up.

Consequently, long tall Rashard Lewis (led all scorers with 30)  and Hedo Turkoglu (19 points) are the kinds of forwards that can give the Celtics trouble as well. They were able to score over Pierce, Tony Allen and others in one on one situations. This is where Posey or a long, quick forward would help.

"T" Time

Sam Cassell gets two and an ejection from his seat on the bench. Perkins, Garnett, and Rondo are all T'd up and the refs are still watching the Celtics closely. This will get more serious as Perkins gets close to Rasheed territory. After 16, you are suspended each time. Perkins leads the league with nine (and counting). 

Truth in Record Keeping: The Magic's record has been attained against a soft schedule.

Big Four?

It has been thought around Celtic Nation for a while that if Boston's Big Three become the Big Four, it is Rajon Rondo who will become the new member.

Is it way too early to be thinking about that? Is this just a tease?

Rajon Rondo played a terrific floor game, orchestrating the Celtics' 9th straight win, over the visiting Magic. He dissected the Magic with 12 assists, 16 points on 6 of 10 shooting, and 4-4 from the foul line. He is starting to hit the occasional jump shot. His foul shooting shows signs of improvement (75% over the last seven games). My gosh, he's probably even eating all his vegetables now.

He started the Celtics off strong with 8 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and a steal in the first quarter.

Starting the year averaging just 7 plus points, Rondo is averaging 13.63 points over the last eight games. He is averaging 11 assists over the last three games and is truly conducting the offense, something that was far more rare last season. He himself says that he is... "ten times better" this year. You can see it in his game as he attacks the hoop, attracting defenders and delivering smarter passes.

It's still too soon to make a lofty assessment like this but.....if Dwight Howard is Superman and Rashard Lewis is his Batman, then maybe the Celtics' Big Three might one day become the.... Fantastic Four.

Heat (9-9) Steal an OT Win from Defenseless Warriors (5-13): 130-129

Everyday is Thanksgiving when you play the Warriors ...as in... thanks for giving up playing defense.

Don Nelson's team beats even D'Antoni's defenseless Knicks in points allowed at a league worst 109.1 per game.

The economy may be tight, but the Warriors are practicing score inflation while their record in is recession. Golden State's opponents have now rung up 130, 138, 112, 119, and 114 points in just the last 5 games.

The Warriors are losers of seven in a row and counting.

The Heat continue to impress and improve to 9-9 with the league's youngest coach in Erik Spoelstra and what was thought to be a flawed and rebuilding roster (by me).

Michael Beasley stole in the inbounds pass with 7 seconds left in OT and hit a pressure packed, clutch foul shot to seal the come from behind win to beat the hard luck Warriors. Back-up Heat point guard Chris Quinn hit a three pointer just before to tie it at 129 all.

Heat center Udonis Haslem scored on a put back at the buzzer in regulation to force the overtime.

Dwyane Wade, the do-it-all guard, led the Heat with 37 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 7 turnovers. Wade is the real deal and, like Chris Paul of the Hornets, elevates the game of his team mates. Shawn Marion's 21 points and 15 rebounds and Udonis Haslem's 21 points and 13 rebounds were big contributions to the win.

For GM's who are making their shopping lists, rumors have been revived that Marion is being shopped. 'Tis the Season. Maybe there's a discount available.

Rookie forward Michael Beasley with 19 points and rookie point guard Mario Chalmers with 12 points and 6 assists are a regular part of the success of the Heat.

Warrior shooting guard Jamal Crawford, obtained recently in a trade with the Knicks for Al Harrington, scored 40 points, had 7 assists, hit two big free throws in the last 15 seconds and missed a running jumper to win the game as time expired. 

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. We will get fooled again. (scream and signature guitar rif)

The Warriors are experiencing the painful results of letting Baron Davis, the heart and soul of their team these past few years, sign with the Clippers. Stephen Jackson, while gaining the confidence of coach Don Nelson, is not the player, nor leader that Baron was.

Don Nelson did some great motivation work getting through to Baron. Then he was through with him, I guess. I think it was more than just a money thing. Too bad it all flamed out.

Nelson, a known innovator, has his work cut out for him with a talented team of disparate parts right now and no one interested in playing on both sides of the court.

Warriors small forward Corey Maggette, who could be playing for the Celtics or Spurs right now, (but for a deep discount I should add) added 29 points, lots of money in his pocketbook and a longer look at NBA from the losing side of things. 

Andris Biedrins produced 17 points and 15 rebounds in the losing cause. He's a big winner in fantasy leagues, anyway. I sometimes wonder if he's tailor made for a Don Nelson view of NBA reality or would be productive on say...the Spurs, Bulls, or OKC. Okay, maybe OKC is not fair to ask. Anyway, I'm a fan, in spite if the defensive shortcomings. Way to go, Don.

Marco Bellinelli...paging Marco Bellinelli...is that a Canadian map in your pocket?

Bobcats (6-11) Stifle Jefferson; Beat Timberwolves (4-12):100-90

Is Coach Randy Wittman's job safe?

Low post, smooth operator Al Jefferson, used to being double teamed on a nightly basis, couldn't solve the defensive schemes that Larry Brown's team threw at him. That also means that coach Randy Wittman couldn't solve them either. Jefferson finished with just 8 points and 9 rebounds. So he tried to return the favor by blocking 6 Bobcat shots.

Trying to pick up the slack were semi-point guard Randy Foye with 23 points and small forward Mike Miller with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

Minny just lost defensive specialist Cory Brewer for the season to injury and I acknowledge that the team lacks height to begin with. I thought the addition of Mike Miller and rookie lottery pick Kevin Love (10 points, 8 rebounds) would be enough help to draw some attention away from Al Jefferson to help him operate a bit easier. It hasn't happened so far.

Though a decent shot blocker, Jefferson is not yet a strong defender. The team has not taken an expected step forward...yet. How long will Kevin McHale or owner Glen Taylor be patient?

On the other hand, Larry Brown's Charlotte team is showing signs of life, having won 3 of 5 now.

Rookie point guard DJ Augustin (9 points, 4 assists), the return of Jason Richardson (25 points) and the revitalized play of Emeka Okafor (24 points, 10 rebounds , 5 blocks) have breathed life into a perennially underachieving franchise.

Talented but perplexing (point?) guard Raymond Felton added 14 assists and 14 points.

Maybe Michael Jordan can go play golf after all.

There you have it for this week. Signs of life, recession, inflation, momentum, a Green Machine and Dwyane Wade in one day's recap and all for much less than twenty-five cents a day.