Celtics 103, Toronto 90

[D Parker <danp@town.ipswich.ma.us>]

The Boston Celtics opened the 1999-2000 season with a strong win over
the Toronto Raptors.  The Celtics handled the Raptors easily in a game
filled with surprises.

The starting lineups were:

Boston		     Toronto
============================
Griffin		     Carter
Walker		     Oakley
Potapenko	     Davis
Pierce		     Christie
Anderson	     Williams

Dana Barros was out because his grandmother passed away.  The entire
Toronto team was out of touch for wearing such ugly uniforms.  I
wonder what Jr. High storage closet got raided to come up with those
gems?

The C's came out with a purpose from the opening tip, which they won
followed quickly by a jumper from Paul Pierce.  There was terrific ball
movement early, largely due to Adrian Griffin.  The C's managed to
control the boards, Pierce got off to a fast start and the Celtics had
a 12-4 lead 5:00 into the game.

Griffin did all the right things with a kickout to Pierce for three,
then a steal and pass to 'Toine for another bucket.  The Celtics
pushed the lead to 19-6 and suddenly the stadium went quiet.

The Celtics shot themselves in the foot with a failed alley-oop
attempt which led to a quick Toronto bucket at the other end.  They
seem to love the alley-oop but they aren't converting it enough to
go to it as often as they do.

Turner introduced himself to the NBA by banking in his first free
throw for his first NBA point.  Think he had a few jitters?

Pitino started subbing in, probably a little too quickly suddenly the
entire second unit was on the floor and they didn't gel early, letting
Toronto creep back into the game.  Walter knocked down a three to
steady the ship and the defense picked up.  The Celtics did a great
job keeping Carter in check, and Toronto often found itself with John
Thomas trying to get a shot up with the shot clock running down.

Dell Curry hit a three pointer to end the quarter and the Celtics led
27-18.  Pierce had 13 points.

In the second Carter started to get loosened up and threw down a
dunk.  Muggsy Bogues came in and really gave Toronto a lift.  He
really started to pick Turner apart, who had a hard time getting the
ball up the floor.  McGrady came in off the bench for Toronto and
promptly started knocking down jumpers as the C's self-destructed with
'Toine losing the dribble out of bounds and Potapenko bricking a
jumper with no rebounders under the hoop.

'Toine got a nice layup off a Pierce miss.  Toronto started to put on
some pressure and the C's didn't handle it well.  'Toine had another
turnover in the post and Anderson ran an awful fast break, electing to
take it to the hoop himself and getting stuffed for his efforts.

The C's managed to settle down as Battie tossed in a hook shot and
Pierce knocked down a jumper.  Pierce then took it strong to the
basket in traffic.  Walter hit another three (I thought he was nuts at
this point -- little did I know what was ahead) and Griffin had me
cheering out loud by slamming one in Antonio Davis's kisser.

After a bunch of free throws at the end of the quarter by both teams,
the C's came away with a 50-42 lead.

Toronto chipped away at the Celtics lead to start the third, but then
the C's threw it in gear and got it back up to 60-51.  Antoine took
over the offense and was playing really well.  He posted up Christie
and scored, hit a three, and hit a half-hook in the lane.  He also
started to help bring the ball up the floor when Toronto put on the
pressure.  Pervis chipped in on offense, including a drive to the hoop
I wouldn't have thought Pervis could have made in an empty gym, let
alone a game.  He was at the top of the key, dribbled once, took two
large steps and laid it in.

Pierce helped out on the boards to limit Toronto's chances, Pervis hit
a jumper, and Walter hit another three.  Carter hit a free throw to
close out the third quarter scoring with the Celtics leading 79-65.

Walter hit another three early in the fourth quarter and that broke
Toronto's back.  The offense stalled, but Toronto wasn't generating
much either.  Pervis blocked a McGrady shot, Walter hit another three
pointer, and after that it was by the numbers.  The Raptors didn't get
any closer than 13, as the Celtics won 103-90.

The Celtics shot 52% and actually won the rebounding battle 36-32.

Players
-------

Pierce:  Hmm, think he might have taken that Rookie of the Year thing
personally?  Destroyed Carter in the stats battle, outscoring him
30-12.  Also picked up 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

Walker:  Really terrific game.  When he and Pierce play like this they
are a devastating one-two punch that most teams can't handle.  Picked
up 22 points on good shots, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.

Potapenko:  Ball bounced off his hands a few times, but he cleared out
space and got 6 rebounds.  That was about the only positive, as he
shot 1-4, had 4 turnovers, and fouled out in 22 minutes.

Griffin: The glue that held the first unit together.  Y'know how
Antoine has spurts where he goes spazzy?  Griffin is the exact
opposite -- he's always smooth and deliberate.  In fact, he looks kind
of slow, but every time he went into the lane and I thought he had
nothing to work with he'd come up with a good kickout pass to someone
for an open jumper.  I hope Pitino keeps him as a starter for a few
games, as he really blends in well with everyone else.

Anderson: Below average game, as he did some good things, but there
was a lot of room for improvement.  Was terrible on the break.  Twice
he took it himself and wound up with nothing, once he threw a pass
behind the guy on the wing for a turnover.  Starting to shape up as
the weakest link -- is there any way Pitino could unload this guy?
Sure he looks a lot better than last season, but this team could sure
use a pass-first point guard.  I don't think Turner's ready for big
minutes, and the C's don't have many other options.

Battie:  Very quiet game.  Got four rebounds, but not much else in 26
minutes.

Turner:  Was shaky in the first half and Bogues was smelling blood on
defense.  In the second half everyone chipped in to help bring the
ball up and he settled down.

McCarty:  Whoa.  20 points from Wal-tah?  Knocked down all six of his
three pointers surprising everyone in the building.  Pretty cool to
watch him knock them down, but the idea of Walter shooting six treys
on a regular basis makes me wince.

Ellison:  Productive 14 minutes.  Shot 2-4, 2 boards, blocked a shot.

Cheaney:  Did very little while he was out there.

A great win to start the season.  Let's hope there's plenty left in
the tank for Washington tomorrow night.

Dan