Home Cooking

      Celtics are welcoming the Cavs and their big front line to the TD Garden. Question is can the Cs present some matchup problems for them. Possibly by going smaller and running off of rebounds? If they push the pace they may have a good shot of pulling off the upset. One thing is for sure we need Derrick White to be at his best. His shot hasn't been where it should be lately. I'm looking forward to what Josh Minott can give us tonight. He gives 110 percent on every play. 

     Cs must be locked in defensively tonight, especially on the perimeter. They can't allow the Cavs shooters to get going. Personally I don't like the Cavs and wasn't surprised when the Pacers beat them last season in the playoffs. To be totally honest I've never ever liked the Cavs. Especially those 90s teams who used to give the Cs fits. I loved watching Michael Jordan hit "the shot" vs them. I never yelled so loud in my life to that point. Honestly I don't see anyone in the East giving the Thunder a run in the Finals. 

     Minott gets the start and I'm all for it, JB opens up our scoring tonight. PP hits his first three of the game and that's a good sign. Cs offense this season doesn't flow like it did when we had multiple guys who could pass the rock. JT, Jrue, Al and KP all had a keen talent on passing the rock. This year's team still has guys who can dish it, but not at the level we did last season. If they can find their niche passing the rock good things can come from it. When you move the ball and get assists winning basketball occurs. Nice to see Sam out here knocking shots down off the bench. 

     Garza grabs a huge offensive rebound which leads to a Simons three! Tommy point! Cs are on a nice run and the Cavs call a timeout. You have to value Joe starring Minott and using Hauser off the bench. Every now and again you must appreciate the little things coaches do. For as much flack as Joe gets I do feel he gets better each year. Yet he does male his fair share of mistakes. Cs have relinquished the lead and may not see it again tonight. I guess I was wrong as the Cs lead by one and yet there is goes. 

     Queta continues to be very good on the glass tonight. I love how much he's improved this season. Damn it... Derrick White can't buy a freaking bucket tonight. I really expect a lot more from him, let's hope he can get it going. If he doesn't we are in trouble tonight. Simons has a very detailed skill set and he could be used as trade bait by the deadline. Overall there hasn't been much defense tonight, but the Cs are holding their own. I think tonight is going to be a shootout. Unless the Celtics dig in and get dirty on defense. 

     Minott is doing a good job attacking the glass, he's one of my favorite signings from the off-season. He has gritt and a skill set that every Celtic should have. JB is wide open and drains the three! Cavs dared him to shoot and he made them pay. Today's NBA is way to three happy and both teams have shot enough for one game. PP with some active hands and we get the steal! I love when guys make defensive plays it's prettier than any three point shot that goes in. Cs have a few minutes left to grab a lead before the end of the half. JB from about half court and nails the three! 

     Cs have pushed the lead to six, and are looking for more. So far we have pretty balanced scoring with Sam, JB and Derrick leading the way. Cs have a ten point lead and look to close this out with a bang. The three ball goes in and BANG! Talk about a wonderful finish to this half. Cs with a fifteen point lead! We have entered the second half and JB is attacking the cup like it's his last night on a court. JB finds Minott for three! This kid is coming into his own! 

     So many missed shots and opportunities already in this third quarter. PP gets the Tommy point for getting the Cs an extra possession. These are the plays that lead to victory, remember folks it's the little things. What a challenge from Queta on Mobley. Now thats what you call defense! Gotta love it! JB goes glass and makes it look easy out there. A nice pass from JB leads to DWhite getting to the line. JB is doing a bit of everything out there. We have a timeout on the floor as the Cs have a lead.

     The third has been a bit underwhelming to this point. Neither team is lighting it up, but our lead is nineteen. Man do these refs suck! We have a green light challenge which should overturn that garbage call. Nice to see Sam Cassell back on the Zenni commercial. What a heck of a player he was for us and his entire career. Cs have held on to their lead as we move forward. Question is can they finish it off...

     We enter the fourth with a fourteen point lead. JB gets to the rim and scores! That's thirty for the game and counting. Cs just need to play their game and victory is in their sights. JB finds Sam for the three! There is way too much time left for the Cs to start playing loose. Cs need to lock in on both ends. What a pass from DWhite to Minott in the corner and he nails the three. That was a really well executed play in the flow of the offense. Great block by Garza as he enters the fourth. Minott grabs a huge board and DWhite cashes in the three. Cs are starting to make winning plays. 

     PP finds Simons for the three and the lead is fourteen. Cs must find some consistency on offense if they want to see this win through. Cs have 27 assists to this point in the game. Which is a recipe to success. The keys to winning basketball are simple sometimes. Rebound, defend, and share the rock, and put the biscuit in the basket! Back to Back PP baskets and the lead is nack to fourteen. Cs may just be on their way to another victory. Dare I Say two in a row! Josh Minott is working his way into being one of my favorite players on this team. Celtics fans we have a victory! Now it's time to go for three in a row. Bleed Green! Celtic Pride!