2-2

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

Nice to see two solid efforts in a row.  The Celtics had their ups and
downs but there were lots of signs that this year will be a lot different
than last year.

They are so much better at pushing the ball up the court.  Everyone looks
for the outlet pass after getting a rebound and guys streak up the floor.
They got a beautiful fast break layup towards the end of regulation that
was prettier than anything they did last year.

Walker, Pierce, Potapenko, Anderson, and Cheaney started the game.  The
pace started out in favor of the Jazz as the Celtics didn't run much,
though they had a lot of motion in their half-court offense.  Coming off
the bench, Dana Barros had a rough time shooting as he clanked up a number
of shots.  The C's were down 20-23 at the end of the first quarter.

Pierce heated up in the second quarter and knocked down several shots in a
row.  The C's started to get a little momentum and led at the half by a
point, 45-44.

At the start of the second half, the lid was on the basket, and the C's
sputtered to 10 points in 9 minutes of playing time.  Then is a complete
turnaround (one of the many hills and valleys I'm sure we'll see this
year) they blitzed the Jazz for 15 points in the last three minutes.  They
trailed by two, 72-70.

The C's made up the two point deficit in the 4th (Kenny Anderson hit
the tying jumper) and it was on to overtime for the second night in a row.

Not content with saving the C's in regulation, Anderson hit a big three
pointer towards the end of overtime that forced the Jazz to foul.  Walker
looked like Larry Bird at the line knocking down all of his free throws
and the C's held on for the win.

Battie and Turner sat out for the second game in a row.

Pierce:  Look like he was on cruise control in the second quarter and
started knocking down everything in sight.  Also had a nice block, though
he got burned a couple of times on defense by Russell.  Team has started
to look for him more when they need a basket.  Unfortunately he hasn't
been knocking down the shots at the end of games.  Last night against
Charlotte and tonight he tossed up his share of bricks towards the end of
the games.

Walker:  Looking a lot better than the first two pre-season games, but not
quite All-Star form yet.  He's knocking down the free throws, even late in
the game.  Made a huge play and pumped his fist instead of wiggling --
maybe it finally sunk in that the wiggle wasn't such a hot idea.  Still
threw up some junk including some rushed post-up moves and a bad three
pointer, but he sure looks better than he did a week ago.

Potapenko:  Hmm, I don't remember him doing much.  He did grab some
rebounds and did his usual job of clearing out space in the paint.  It
looks like the new rule changes aren't going to turn him into a foul
machine, as some suggested they might.

Anderson:  Looking pretty good.  Opposing guards have no trouble getting
around him, but he's passing the ball much better and pushing it up the
floor.  Knocking down the game-tying shot and a big three pointer in
overtime didn't hurt either.

Cheaney:  Some good plays, but still looks lost some of the time.  It's
going to take a few weeks before he gets really comfortable.  Still, he
looks like a good addition.  He should be a solid contributor this year.

This team is so different from last year.  They are going to make a lot of
pundits look foolish.

Dan