CBW Review: Celtics/Bucks

[snoopy1@xxxxxxx]

Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Jan 18, 2003  8:30pm

First, the NBA League pass did NOT broadcast this game where I liveI have
no idea why.  My computer wasnt working quite well enough to maintain a
like to the Cs radio broadcast.  So I was left with extrapolating from the
NBA.com live html ticker.  So theres a lot of context that I missed
because of the lack of real-time access.  Ill try to remedy that if I can
get a tape of the game.

The Cs varied their lineup by starting Bremer, Brown, and Baker since
neither Battie nor Delk looked to be ready to go tonight.  Bremer had been
impressive to date and I was curious.  Grant Long had been signed, but I
had no idea if he would see any playing time without a few practices under
his belt.

Milwaukee opened up by scoring the first 6 points.  Then Pierce took a pass
from walker for two.  Vin Baker came in and made his presence known by
scoring a basket of his own.  He also had a rebound early, so it was nice
to see him getting off to a good start.

But the Bucks were pouring on the offense.  When timeout was called with
7:58 to go in the quarter, Milwaukee was up 16-9.  Following the timeout,
Baker went hard to the basket, rebounding his own miss for two.  Kedrick
Brown did likewise to make it 18-15 Milwaukee leading with 616 to go.

Surprisingly, at this stage of the game, the Cs high scorer was none other
than Vinnie Baker with 6 points!!

Walker and McCarty got into the offensive act and tied the game at 19 with
4:40 left.  Both teams were shooting over 50% from the floor, so it looked
like a wild ride tonight.  Eric Williams made a layup and gave Boston its
first lead, 21-19 with just over 4 minutes to go.

Paul Pierce worked to get back on track, as he got his next basket a minute
later. Guess he didnt want Vinnie outscoring him.  Walker took a seat with
3:13 to go as Pierce hit a free throw following a 3 second violation on the
Bucks, making it 24-21 Boston leading.  The shooting percentages were
getting ridiculous with both teams approaching 60%.

The Cs worked hard on the boards, but werent getting the ball to go
through on their next possession.  When timeout was called with 2:27 to go
following a Milwaukee turnover, the score was still 24-21.

Following the timeoutand a jump ball won by the Bucksthe score was
unchanged, though the shooting percentages had.  Baker sat in favor of
Bruno as the Cs and Bucks traded turnovers.  Milwaukee capitalized on
Celtics miscues to regain a 27-24 lead with 46 seconds remaining in the
quarter.  Walker had something to say about that as he made a basket of his
own to cut the Bucks lead with 17 seconds left.

Bruno then blocked Kukocs layup attemptYAY BRUNO!!  The first quarter
ended with Milwaukee leading 29-27.

The Cs now looked like they were in for a tough night.  J.R. Bremer had
started but gotten nothing accomplished scoring wise in his time on the
court.

The Bucks were out shooting the Cs 50%-48%, and really working the
threes.  Milwaukee was being rather careless with the ball, getting 7
turnovers in the quarter.  Nobody had successfully run a fast break on
either team yet.  The Cs were better in paint points, 14-6.


Second quarter:

Vinnie came back in and got a layup, really nice work there.  With 954 to
go, Walker made a layup that gave Boston a 31-29 lead.  But Ervin Johnson
of Milwaukee was doing his best to help the Bucks keep up, scoring a hoop
of his own.  Walker seemed to be heating up, making another basket, and the
score was 33-32.  Baker made a jumper and time was called with 8:46 to go
in the second, with Boston now ahead 35-32.

Since the Bucks had taken 11 free throws to this stage vs. Bostons lone
(successful) attempt, Id say that old officiating disparity was rearing
its ugly head again.  After the timeout, Baker got a rebound, but turned
the ball over.  Bremer made himself useful by getting a rebound of his own
Kedrick was fouled and made 1-2. What happened to free throw practice after
last night??  Milwaukee still likes to steal the ball, as Bremer found
out.  Walker made another jump shot and with 7:32 to go, Boston led 38-33.

The teams traded misses for a few possessions, and then Walker took a break
as Pierce came back on the floor.  Antoine had 14 points so far, and Baker
was right behind him with 10.  Looks like Vinnie is having a good
night!  Both teams traded baskets now, and when timeout was called with
4:23 to go, the score was 42-39 Boston.  After the timeout, Pierce went to
the line (SURPRISE!) and made the free throw.

Unfortunately, Baker was having his night ruined by getting his 3rd foul
with 4:05 left in the quarter.  Walter made a nice hook shot and lifted the
spirits and the score.  Boston made a run and when timeout was called with
2:17 left, the score was 50-41 Boston, with the Good Guys holding their
biggest lead so far tonight.

After the timeout, the Cs furiously attacked the offensive boards and
finally drew the foul.  Walter finally got another hoop and as time wound
down, Pierce sat for an extended breather just before halftime with 51
seconds left.  Walker made a nice steal from Sam Cassell and went the
distance for a thunderous dunk.

Kedrick liked the idea so much, he stole the ball from Mason on the next
play and handed off to Walker who added two more points.  Tim Thomas
managed to score the final basket of the half, which ended with the score
58-48, Boston leading.

HALFTIME

Cookie Break!!

This was shaping up to be a memorable game.  The Bucks had come roaring out
the gate and Boston roared right back.

The Good Guys had gotten a handle on the FGP by going 51% while lowering
Milwaukee to 45.5%.  The threes actually favored the Bucks, but thats Ray
Allen for you.  I think its against his religion to shoot a two.  :>)

The Cs held a lead in fast break points, 9-1.  Turnovers were also good,
with Milwaukee happily holding the edge 13-7.  Well, I was happy about it.

Boston was killing the Bucks in paint points, 38-16.  I was annoyed that
Milwaukee had shot 15 free throws to Bostons 5.

Bremer hadnt done much so far, but wowie, Vinnie!!  He hadat halftime10
points (on 5-5 shooting), and 4 rebounds.  Too bad he also picked up 3
fouls, but still, not too shabby!  Walker looked like he was having one of
those nights, too, with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.  Eep!

The Cs really needed to keep up the good work, and make sure they at least
tried to contain Ray Allen and Tim Thomas.  Its never good to let a guy
who likes shooting threes get hot, and who knows that better then
Boston?  About the only two things Id say would be keep looking for the
good shot on offense and try to knock Milwaukees shooting percentage down
a little more.  And, of course, keep playing hard!!!!!

Cookie Break!!


Third quarter:

Baker rebounded a Tim Thomas miss, and handed off to Bremer who dunked it,
opening up the quarterand the Celtics lead, to 60-48.  After a couple of
misses on both sides, Baker was fouled and hit both.  Bremer than sank a
three to show us he remembered how, and Thomas hit for two at the other
end.  The Cs missed a few shots, and Milwaukee was able to close the gap
to 64-56 with 8:04 to go in the third quarter.

Tim Thomas was starting to be a major problem for Boston, and I hoped that
Coach OBrien would do something about that soon.  Walker hit another shot
to re-establish a double digit lead for the Good Guys.

Sam Cassell then got a bit TOO offensive and turned the ball
over.  Unfortunately, Walker see, Walker do.  Sigh  When timeout was
called with 5:45 to go, the score was 67-58 Boston.  Walter McCarty had
come in for Baker, presumably to prevent Baker from getting any more fouls
before the 4th quarter.

After the timeout, the teams ran up and down the court without much to show
for it on the scoreboard.  Walker continued to crash the boards in the
absence of Battie.  Both teams pushed hard and both teams got called for
offensive fouls.  The game was moving along at a fast pace.  Still, with
all the activity, nobody had scored any points in over 2 = minutes until
Walter made a basket with 3:25 left.  Of course, it was a three.  Boston
now led 70-58.

Five Celtics players were now in double figures, and we still had a lot of
time left in the game.

Milwaukee finally made a basket of their owna copycat three, and when
timeout was called with 2:36 remaining, the score was 70-61.  After the
timeout, both teams traded free throws, and worked to keep up the furious
pace.  Eric Williams then went to the line and made both, making the score
74-63.

Milwaukee hoisted another miss and the Good Guys took the rebound.  The
Bucks sent Eric Williams back to the line, evidently daring him to keep
hitting.  He obliged, making it 76-63.  Kedrick picked up his third foul,
sending Ray Allen to the line with 35 seconds to go.  He made both.  With 4
seconds left, Walter stole the ball, and got it to Eric Williams who made
it good, ending the third quarter with Boston leading, 78-65.

So far, the stats still looked good for Boston.

After three quarters, Boston 46.3% Bucks 40.8% on FGP, 3pt shot were 33.3%
for Boston and 47.4% for the Bucks. Fast break points were 13-1 favoring
Boston.  Turnovers, on the other paw, favored Milwaukee, 17-10.  Paint
points were 40-18 for Boston.  The Good Guys had dropped their shooting
percentage a bitbut more importantly, had dropped Milwaukees FGP.  The
free throws were closer now, 16-19 Bucks, 11-14 Boston.

Ray Allen had been slowed down, and Tim Thomas was at least being watched
carefully.  The Cs still needed to run more, based on how long it too them
to get the ball into the offensive end, but all in all, things were looking
good!

Fourth quarter:

The Good Guys opened the quarter by Pierce hitting a shot and then getting
fouled.  The lead quickly grew, as both sides then traded missed shots for
a minute or so before Milwaukee got a basket.  The score was now 81-72 with
9:46 to go, as Boston called timeout.

Following the timeout, the Cs crashed the offensive boards, but no joy
there, as Milwaukee got the ball at last.  Then Pierce was called for his
fourth foul, sending Ollie to the line, where justice prevailed as he
missed one.  But Milwaukee had lots of fight left and scored another hoop
with 8:48 to go making the score 81-76.  Following a 20 second timeout, the
Cs took it to the hoop and drew the foul.  Eric Williams hit both,
becoming the 6th Celtics player in double figures scoring.

But Sam Cassell drove to the hoop, and made the shot as Pierce picked up
his 5th foul.  Sam missed the free throw, and the score was now 83-78
Boston.  Pierce sat as Kedrick Brown came in.  Walker made a shot, but then
Milwaukee got Official Help as the Coach was hit with a T.  Bremer made a
basket and the score was 88-79 with 7:23 to go.

Then Eric Williams picked up his 4th foul, and sent Milwaukee to the
line.  Michael Redd went 1-2, and the score was 88-80 with 7:09 left in the
game.  Milwaukee was making a run which only slowed when Walter made a
three with 5:51 to go, making it 91-84.  Bremer committed a foul, and
timeout was called with 5:43 to go in the game.

After the timeout, Sam Cassells free throws were negated by Kedrick
Browns three.  With 5:25 left, it was now 94-86.

Then the Bucks ripped off 4 quick points to make it 94-90 with 4:15
remaining.  Both teams moved back and forth on the court with no further
score until timeout was called with 1:48 left in the game as Milwaukee had
possession of the ball.  After the timeout, Cassell was fouled by Bremer,
and went 1-2.  Walker rebounded the second missed free throw, and got it
over to Pierce, who missed, but the rebound went to Eric Williams.   Pierce
missed again and Milwaukee took possession, missing on their end before
Eric Williams committed his 5th personal foul.  Tim Thomas went 1-2 at the
line, and with 53 seconds left and the score now 94-92, the rebound went to
Waltah!!

Pierce took it from there and made the basket, as Milwaukee took timeout
with 35 seconds left and the score now 96-92 Boston.  After the timeout,
the Bucks missed on Ray Allens shot and Bremer took the rebound.  Tim
Thomas immediately fouled him, and Bremer went 1-2 at the line.  Milwaukee
took a 20 second timeout with 25 seconds left in the game and the score
97-92.

Following the timeout, the Bucks Ray Allen launched another three that
missed and Kedrick got the rebound and the foul from Thomas, who fouled
out.  Kedrick missed both free throws with 18 seconds left and Milwaukee
threw everyone against the boards in an attempt to score, which they did
with 4 seconds left, making it 97-95.  Then Ray Allen fouled Waltah! who
agonizingly missed both free throws, but the Bucks never got another look
at the basket as by the time Anthony Mason got the rebound, time was
expiring.

The Celtics won the game, 97-95.

Boston shot 37-85 for 43.5% vs. the Bucks, who went 29-71 for 40.8% from
the field.  The Cs tookand mademore shots from the field.  As far as 3 pt
shots went, it was Boston going 9-26 for 34.6% and the Bucks hitting 10-23
for 43.5%.  Boston took more threes; they made one more overall.  Free
throws were the same old story as Boston was 14-22 for 63.6%, while
Milwaukee was 27-34 for 79.4%.  Its really annoying when you realize the
majority of the free throw misses for Boston came at the very end of the
game.  Fast break points favored Boston 13-3, while turnovers were the
province of the Bucks with a 17-14 edge. Paint points definitely went
Bostons way, 48-28.

The fourth quarter was hard to deal with, as the Celtics were outscored
30-19 and saw their double-digit lead vanish faster than the pink slip on
LeBron James Hummer.  The Celtics still have this tendency to ease the
ball up the floor like there was a speed limit instead of a time limit.

Still, they withstood the Bucks run, which was as heartening as the fact
that they overcame the impressive start the Bucks made.  All in all, this
was a really impressive win, every bit as much as the win over
Indiana.  While its probably too late to make a case for Walker or Pierce
to start the All-Star game, I think that the last few games have people
thinking about at least one of them coming off the bench in Atlanta.



Heroes:

J.R. Bremer: 6 points 6 rebounds 7 assists, 1 steal.  Not much pointwise,
but he made up for it in other ways.

Pierce: 15 points 5 rebounds 3 assists.  Even on what one might call an off
night.

Walker: 25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 stealsand only one turnover and
NO technical fouls!  Wow.

Kedrick Brown: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals.  The Coach will
shoot anyone stepping on his foot.

Vin Baker: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks.  This is much more
like it!!

Walter McCarty: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal.  I platonically
appreciate Waltah!

Eric Williams: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist.  I like it when Eric has
games like this.


Zeros:

Shammond Williams: 16 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists.  He, Bremer
and Bruno were the only Celts on the court NOT in double figures, but Bruno
played short minutes and Bremer contributed in other ways.  Whats with
Shammond?

Celtics free throw shooting: 63.6 AND missing all those clutch free
throws.  Aaugh!  Paul Pierce and Eric Williams are exempted from mandatory
free throw practice, since they both hit all their free throws.


Now, the Cs prepare to wrench their poor Coachs heart once more as they
travel to Philadelphia for a game next Monday night.  Remember, guys the
fact that the game is on a Holiday and on TNT does NOT mean you HAVE to
play badly.  Try to work against History, here, ok?

And thats the view from the Doghouse.

Celtics 27 31 20 19 97
Bucks  29 19 17 30 95