Pierce was all smiles after owning the Bulls in the 4th and OT periods.
I hated this game. Yep. Even though we ended up winning, I just hated it. Pretty much the whole game was a microcosm of what this series has been: frustrating. These Chicago Bulls--young, inexperienced, ugly--are not supposed to be this challenging. They're very reminiscent of the Hawks of last year, but this time around, the games are much closer and you get the feeling that this is a 1 vs. 2 seed going at it. Why are they being so damn pesky? I honestly believe much of it has to do with luck. Sure, they've got some talent in Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon, that can't be denied. But in watching these first 5 games, the amount of balls that have bounced their way, the calls they've gotten (or haven't gotten), and the crazy shots they've made continue to grow in number. Last night was no exception, as the two teams fought through the 4th overtime period of this opening series. I don't really have much historical perspective, but I can't see how this wouldn't be the greatest opening round of the playoffs ever.
KG gives the cocky Ben Gordon a piece of his mind: "Mother [Expletive], [expletive] Celtics will dominate your punk [expletive] [expletive] [expletive]. Bitch."
I hated this game. From the start, the Celtics were shooting around 50%. The energy from the crowd was electric and certainly gave a boost to the home team. But those damn Bulls just kept hanging around. How deflating is that? It's so frustrating coming out with fire, yet still only leading by 2 points at the end of one and down by 3 at halftime. How is it that such a streaky player like Ben Gordon who has a strained hamstring (Grade 2, which indicates a partial tear) comes out and goes 2-11 until hitting just his third shot with 1:30 left in the third, but suddenly make some of the most unlikely shots? Mostly luck, my friends. Shooters shoot, yes, which is what he kept doing, but getting double-teamed and hitting a fall-away bank shot from 18 feet is NOT skill no matter how you cut it. Hitting a leaner from the baseline falling to his right with Stephon Marbury draped all over him is definitely more luck than skill. Getting Tony Allen to foul you on a three point attempt when you have ZERO other options is, I'll admit, a huge gaffe on Allen's part, but still, the stars aligned for that more than anything else.
The Celtics looked tired after their initial push through the first quarter and a half. Rondo's turn around at the buzzer to end the half didn't prove to be the spark we desperately needed in the second half. They extended their lead to 11 points about 3 minutes into the 4th quarter. Now, I often yell and complain that I could do a better job executing than the crap that the Celtics sometimes run. If I had been playing in that 4th quarter, I would've thrown the towel in out of complete frustration. Joakim Noah's layup off of the (admittedly) pretty pass from Brad Miller put them up by the 11-point margin. But his goddamn scream after. Unnecessary. Here are the times when a player is allowed to do a "KG" after a DUNK ONLY, if you're a big man:
1) To begin or end a quarter
2) To tie the game
3) To put your team within 2 or three points after coming back from a considerable deficit
4) After the other team has called a timeout after said comeback
5) If you're blowing out the other team (i.e. exclamation mark before you come out of the game for good...job well done, etc.)
That's about it, Noah. Cool. You put your team up by 11 on a play you really did nothing to create. You were just standing in the paint and happened to get your hands finally on a Miller pass and you...made a layup. If ANYTHING, Miller should be the one letting out a primal scream, not your butt-ass ugly piehole.
"Hey, Noah! Your penis is thiiiiiiis small! Fucker."
As for the Celtics, our starters are playing the best ball of the season. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about our bench. Sure, it's depleted, but when you only get 5 points out of them the entire game, chances are, you're screwed like Babe Ruth. Marbury canNOT pass up a wide open baseline jumper for a Rondo floater from a little closer in on the baseline. To make such a floater, one has to put it up perfectly. No backboard can help you out. No friendly rolls are likely to occur from that angle, i.e. the airball. Marbury's having noticeable confidence issues, but just look at what happens what he shoots the open shots: His 13 point performance in the Game 3 blowout. See what happens when the bench contributes? Yeah.
Aside from that, Pierce's performance obviously sticks out. He started the game quietly, getting 7 points in the first frame, but slowed considerably after. Jackie MacMullan who was at the game, commented that she thought something was wrong with Pierce. He didn't have any lift and wasn't really looking for his shot. That changed once the 4th was winding down. The Celtics were down to one true scorer and damn, did he deliver. He scored 15 points from the 9:15 mark of the fourth to the end of the OT. That's 15 points in about 14 minutes. Pretty good offensive production, if you ask me. Which you didn't, but I told you anyway.
How come the Chicago defense didn't double Pierce? I'm not complaining, but after about the third time he makes the same shot in a row, you'd think they'd try something different. There were no other real threats on the floor, aside from Rondo. Anyway, his play was 100% vintage and something only a superstar could do. After Ray Allen fouled out on a BULLSHIT call, Pierce took the game in his hands as only he could do and won it for us. Made shots when it matters most.
Ray Allen struggled, but hit this big 3 in the 4th quarter. Miller would later try and suffocate him, leading to a...double foul. Great job, Mr. Derosa.
As for Ray Allen. He struggled, sure. But, after hitting a much needed three from the corner in the 4th, he picked up one bogus call chasing Ben Gordon. It was essentially a hip check foul, something that happens literally EVERY offensive possession for either team. Unbelievable. Then, he gets picked off by Brad "Choke Artist" Miller who, rather than standing there, decides to bear hug Allen, holding him so he can't get out. Allen tries to fight out of it, and the ref calls a double foul. A DOUBLE FOUL! How often does THAT get called? And in such an important game? Holy mother of God. Exhibit Y in the case of the Celtics vs. Given Opponent & the State of Officials. However, like when a coach gets thrown out of a game, it may have been a blessing in disguise, as Pierce took over the game.
Rondo's putting in an all-time playoff performance.
Lost in the shuffle were Rajon "Where the EFF is this coming from?" Rondo and Kendrick "Still Making Some Mistakes, But Progressing a Lot Better" Perkins. Rondo's averaging--get this--24.2 ppg (leads the team), 10.2 rpg (2nd to Perk's 11.0), 10.2 apg (leads the team), 3.2 spg (leads the team), 51% on FG (2nd to Perk's 60%), and 4-7 from three. Yeah, that's a triple-double average with 3+ steals. Pedal to the metal. Soak it in because this is something that is only witnessed once in a very long while. His box score last night: Game-high 28 points (12-22 FG, 2-2 on threes), 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 2 steals.
Perk showed what being a Celtic is all about. He's a wily veteran...and only 3 years older than I am.
Another "whoa!" line from Perkins: 16 points, 19 rebounds, SEVEN (7) blocks, tying Robert Parish's Celtics playoff record. And get this: ZERO FOULS. Way to be. We had a short bench and needed our big men to limit their fouls and Perk, well done. Aside from one "wtf?" shot (a 17 footer at the beginning of the shot clock), he went above and beyond the call of duty.
The "controversial" play. Rondo no doubt hits Miller, but this is post-swipe at the ball, so lower the ball more and bring Rondo's arm back and it's clear to me that he's making a play on the ball more than anything.
I must say, this game may still be going on had it not been for the final play. Down by 2 with just over 3 seconds left, the Bulls drew up a surprisingly simple, yet effective play. Brad Miller set a screen for Ben Gordon, forcing Perkins to switch out on him as he faded to the baseline. Rondo recovered, following him under the pick, but giving Miller an open lane to the hoop. Perkins shifted over as Rondo again recovered, committing the foul rather than have Miller sink an easy layup. Ya know, a playoff foul. Miller went for the finger roll straight on instead of attempting the conventional layup, going to one side and using the backboard. My understanding is that Rondo thought he'd go the conventional way (i.e. the smart way) and swiped at the ball. Now, I have no photos of Rondo's face at the time of impact, but I can almost guarantee that his eyes were on the ball. If he was intentionally trying to decapitate Miller, as some Bulls and Bulls' fans are contending, than he would definitely be looking at Miller's head. One looks where one is intending to reach/grab/whathaveyou. The refs made exactly the right call for once. Miller bricked the first and intentionally missed the second, but he hit nothing (DUHHHHH IDIOT!?!) giving the ball to the Celtics. The free throws at our end were inconsequential as good ol' Vin had no timeouts and the Bulls had to go full court to get a shot off. Big Baby actually got the offensive rebound. Game.
*southern accent* "Hot damn, that there sandwich was deeeelicious. Oops, showin' mah beer-belly on TV. Oh, sugar. I gotta go brick me some free throws! Yippie-kay-ay!"
On to Chicago, where we can close this bitch of a series out. I'm not gonna make any predictions, but last time we won on our home court and then went to Chicago and blew them out. We've got two chances to take this thing. Our experience and fortitude give the impression that this time luck may be on our side...
[No caption necessary.]
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