Well, I was right, at least sort of. Derrick Rose didn't have the same type of game that he had in Game 1 of this series, but he proved to me that the Celtics best chance at winning this series is if he gets hurt. That may sound a bit harsh, but no one on the Celtics team can guard him. The Bulls came out with a lot of fight in them and despite picking up two early fouls, Rose had a decent game (10pts, 7 asts, 6 rebs, 2 blks). The difference in this game was that Ben Gordon got 'en fuego'. He dropped 42 pts (not much else) and seemed to be on one of his famous 'you can't guard me' moments late in the game. Salmons (17 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk) and Brad Miller (16 pts, 9 rebs, 2 asts, 1 blk) both paid dividends in this game and they really pushed the Celtics in this game.
The Celtics got lucky on this one. They had to be happy that Ray Allen was able to throw one or two in (30 pts, 3 rebs, 5 asts). Glen Davis chipped in a much needed 26 pts and 9 rebs. Paul Pierce doesn't seem to be in this series yet as he struggled and ended with 18 pts and 8 rebs. The Celtics may have won this game, but Rondo tweaked an ankle (I don't think he did he was just trying to sell a foul call, even 5 minutes after the play ended), Leon Powe got hurt, and the Celtics bench chipped in 9 points. That's usually the recipe for disaster. The Celtics tie up this series and head to Chitown for game 3.
Key facts:
- Joakim Noah must still think he's at Florida because he is playing ball. He's running the floor and finishing for the Bulls. He ended this game with another solid output with 13 pts, 8 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls, and 4 blks.
- Rajon Rondo followed up his great Game 1 performance with a triple double: 19 pts, 12 rebs, 16 asts, 5 stls.
- Where is Austin Powers? He's got to help Stephon Marbury find his mojo. He looks lost, but he has the skills that can help the Celtics. Last year we waited intently to see Rondo get his mojo and he finally did. The same thing needs to happen for Marbury for the Celtics to win.
- The Bulls team set a record for blocked shots during this game. As a team they had 14 blocked shots. Tyrus Thomas had 6 by himself.
- I know Kendrick Perkins doesn't scream consistency in the paint for the Celtics, but that's two good games for him and he only had 9 touches. He ended the game with 16 pts and 12 rebs. Doc, get this guy some more touches.
The Celtics still seem to be sleep walking, at least Paul Pierce is, but if they don't wake up soon, they will be home for good. Are the Bulls going up 2-1 in Chicago? Who is going to step up if Leon Powe is out for an extended period of time?
2 comments:
This should be over now. But wait, lingering on the bench is the pride of NYC, Stephon "I'm still sellin' my shoes out da trunk" Starbury. I can see, although he's not shown a flicker of the flash he once had, Starbury coming back from the dead to team up in the back court with Rondo and Paul "My Dude" Pierce to get this thing done. Hey, why not? If they do nothing, a massive beatdown is coming in Chi-town.
Once Deng gets healthy, those boys are going to be solid in the east.
Boston, is very lucky they are not headed to Chi down 0-2, Bulls are doing it, they are showing they have what's been missing for years....HEART!!
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