Celts vs Warriors

["Gregg Allen" <gr_allen@conknet.com>]

Tonight the Celtics demolished the Warriors 120-88.  It was a great game.  Again, Kenny Anderson had a tremendous impact.  In every respect, he made his presence felt.  He pushed the ball up court, threaded some beautiful passes, and scored some baskets.  This is a different (better) team with Kenny in the lineup. (In his last three games with the Celtics, he's had something like 30 assists and only one turnover). 

 

Antoine and Ron Mercer both had good games, and with the Celtics leading by a large margin, they got to sit on the bench for most of the fourth quarter.  This afforded Dontae Jones some playing time, and he made the most of his opportunity knocking down three treys and a two-handed jam on the alley-oop from Mercer.

 

Greg Minor saw significant minutes and has been playing well lately.  In the post-game conference, Coach Pitino acknowledged his improved play and said that he had told Greg to be patient and wait until Pitino could move some bodies out.  Then he would get his opportunity.  According to Pitino, Minor is "reaping his just reward."

 

Another player Coach Pitino mentioned was Travis Knight.  Travis played a hell of a game according to Coach Pitino.  I agree wholeheartedly, even if this is not apparent from the box score (although you can't ignore the 11 boards he snagged).  I think Travis will benefit greatly from Kenny Anderson's presence in the lineup.  Tonight he hit a couple of uncontested jumpers from just inside the top of the key with the assists going to Anderson.  He should see more of these.

 

The only Celtic that had a sub-par game IMO was Dana Barros.  All in all a great team effort.  Next up (on Sunday) is Portland.  This should be an interesting game, as Portland got STOMPED by the Pacers, losing by something like 60 points! (122-59 or something like that).

 

Gregg