12/02/2009 - 17:12
Tied With the Magic
by
Ward Lucas
It looks like Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics are finally starting to hit their stride.
In the second contest of a four-game road trip, the Celts were victorious over the Charlotte Bobcats, 108-90, Tuesday night.
The win is the fifth straight for Paul and the Cs, who improved to 7-1 on the road and 14-4 overall.
"Just being a veteran team and understanding the focus you have to have on the road is what goes into it," No. 34 told the Boston Herald. "We've had some mental lapses at home, but hopefully we can make it up on this road trip. You have to play through the crowd noise, and stay mentally focused."
The Truth dropped just a season-low eight points, on 3-8 shooting with two assists and two rebounds. But No. 34 picked his spots with a surgeon's precision, a trait that received kudos from Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe:
"Of his eight points with two were important 3-pointers that set the tone in both halves. Knows exactly when to impose his will and tonight he played a complimentary role."
The 18-point win for Boston, brought back memories of grandeur when the Cs defeated the Cats in their season opener in Boston, 92-59. Coming into Tuesday's game, Charlotte's defense, ranked first in the NBA and had been key in holding opponents under 100 points.
Knowing that, No. 34 and company crafted a strategy to contain Charlotte's Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace. The Boston Globe reported:
Boston's plan was to force the Bobcats into one-on-one perimeter play and avoid post-ups from their sizeable starting five. Rivers said four of their five players – save Raymond Felton – could post up effectively, especially Jackson and Wallace.
But those two never exploited the size advantage over Allen and Pierce. Jackson appeared content to fire 20-footers and Wallace took two early first-half shots – missed both – and wasn't an offensive factor.
Charlotte's defense apparently didn't factor in Paul's teammates, as Kendrick Perkins and Ray Allen both delivered more than 20 points to cement the win.
THE OLD GUARD
Tuesday's game was the 18th straight game that the Truth, KG, Rajon Rondo, Allen and Perkins started together.
But unlike recent games, the starters had a commanding lead over the Bobcats from 1st quarter on. The Boston Herald reported:
"This game was reminiscent of Boston's four-game early-season swing when it outscored Charlotte, Chicago, New Orleans, and Philadelphia by a total of 102 points."
Coach Rivers credited a change in venue for the newfound motivation: The Boston Herald reported:
"At home we had gotten in the habit of getting off to slow starts and battling back and winning some of them and losing some of them,'' Rivers said. "Right now, we realize how tough it is to win on the road and we have great focus.''
This continued focus will be integral for Boston's success as they attack the final two games of this road trip.
23 DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS IN ORLANDO
The win over Charlotte has advanced the Cs to 14-4 and has put them in a tie with the Orlando Magic for the Eastern Conference lead.
How fitting that the two teams are scheduled to meet on December 25th. What could be a better Christmas present for Boston fans than a win in Orlando? Until then, we'll keep a close watch on the standings.
SALE IN THE STORE
Until tomorrow, any purchase in the official Paul Pierce store of $40 or more gets 25% off! Just enter the code CYBER29 when prompted for coupons.
NEXT UP
The Captain and his mates have a day's rest before taking on the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday in game three of their road trip. This will be the Cs only regular season game in San Antonio this season against Spurs' veterans Tim Duncan and Michael Finley.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thursday night and the game airs on TNT and WEEI.
RELATED STORIES
Ray Allen-led Celtics shoot straight (Boston Herald, December 2, 2009)
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/20091201ray_a...
Analysis of Celtics-Bobcats (Boston Globe, December 2, 2009)
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/?p1=...
Doc Rivers has big workload in clock management (Boston Herald, Dec. 2, 2009)
http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/20091202doc_...
Allen on target as well-oiled Celtics thump Bobcats (Boston Globe, Dec. 2, 2009)
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/12/02/alle...
Ray Allen heats up with 27 points; Celtics rout Bobcats 108-90 for 5th straight win (Taragana.com, December 1, 2009)
http://blog.taragana.com/sports/2009/12/01/ray-allen-heats-up-with-27-po...
