This post-season, the Celtics have been two different teams. At home, they shoot well, defend well, don't make mistakes, and they win. On the road, they shoot poorly, make big mistakes, and they lose.
Kevin Garnett had a good night with 25 points and 8 rebounds. Pierce added 16 points. But after that, the Celtics had next to no offense in this game. Ray Allen was 3 for 8 from the field 0 for 3 from beyond the arc, and only had 9 points. After a career night in game 5, Rondo only had 2 points to go along with 3 turnovers. The bench could only muster 12 points. Glen Davis (2 for 8 shooting) looked horribly awkward and clumsy in the 4th, missing shots down low, and fumbling rebounds.
The officiating didn't help much. An insanely incorrect charging call on Pierce with 0:49 left zapped any momentum the Celtics might have had. LeBron James slid into Pierce's path, and was knocked down with his feet still moving. Cleveland drained 21 seconds of clock with their ensuing possession. And with 0:14 left, Joe Smith appeared to travel after receiving an inbound pass. Instead, a foul was called on Rondo, and Smith's free throws essentially ended the game.
BUT, the Celtics should have taken care of business on their own. Defensively they had a phenomenal game, holding Cleveland under 75, and to 32.9% from the field; but offensively they just couldn't get right. They went on some big runs to make it close, but could never quite get over the top.
Now it's time for another game 7 in Boston. Hopefully the Celtics we know and love will show up. 3:35 PM, Sunday afternoon.
Apparently the bleach blond, spray-on-tan Tara Reid look is popular in Cleveland.
Source:
ESPN.com
Photo Credits:
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
AP Photo/Tony Dejak
