Re: CBW review, 2003-04 game2, C's vs. Memphis Grizzlies

["Greg Odegaard" <grodeg@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Give the pooch a break on needing a nap and his belly rubbed in the worse
way, we all know this good old dog was practicing his lines for the ESPN
original programming show Playmakers, making an announced cameo appearance
this Tuesday. I saw a promo commercial today and I gotta say damn Celtics
Snoop Dogg you are looking extra fine.  Did old lady Beagle do up your
cornrows or did your normal groomer take care of that?

I gots to admit my excitement level is starting to build to a fever pitch
and the show doesn't even air for 3 more days. I have invited all my hip hop
Celtics/ho swapping friends over to watch it first run, and frankly I may
have already over done it with far too many of my posse accepting
immediately and bringing their girls and kids along as well.

It will be nothing short of the most amazing night in Celtics list history.
The Celtics Beagle Snoop Dogg will be doing us proud on the HD big screen.

Snausages and Colt 45's for everyone, so break out the Dirty Ol' Bastard and
Ice T records and get busy with the Celtics Beagle in your own town.

I am spent tonight what with all this planning.

Too bad the Celtics lost, but that is short term versus the pending joy of
the next week.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Snoopy the Celtics Beagle" <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <Celtics@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 7:39 PM
Subject: Re: CBW review, 2003-04 game2, C's vs. Memphis Grizzlies


> *sigh*  I got really sick around 2am, and had to go to bed.  I was annoyed
> about that, but you really wouldn't have been able to read the third
> quarter info if I hadn't retyped it this afternoon. :>)))
>
> At 06:47 PM 11/1/03 -0500, Dan Forant wrote:
>
> >Good wrap up even though it's a little late. No tip this week:-) I like
> >Hubie Brown, he's demonstrative and fun to watch along with being a good
> >solid coach. And at 72 no less.
> >
> >DanF
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Snoopy the Celtics Beagle" <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >To: <Celtics@xxxxxxxx>; <Celticsstuffgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 5:58 PM
> >Subject: CBW review, 2003-04 game2, C's vs. Memphis Grizzlies
> >
> >
> > > 2003-04 season Game 02: Celtics vs. Memphis Grizzlies  Friday, Oct 31,
> >2003
> > >
> > > Ok, let's flash back--rather painfully, I admit--to Halloween one year
> > > ago.  The C's played the Washington Wizards and lost, 114-69.
> > >
> > > So, despite my festive Halloween costume tonight, you can understand
my
> > > nervousness as the C's put their newfound offense on the line against
the
> > > Memphis Grizzlies exactly one year later.
> > >
> > > Another cruel trick, or an unexpected treat?
> > >
> > > I won't make you panic, the Good Guys did win, but what a
nerve-wracking
> > > way to get there.
> > >
> > > First off, I have a bone to pick with Memphis Coach Hubie Brown.
Remember
> > > when he worked at TNT, and he used to loudly--and
continuously--complain
> > > about how terrible it was that the C's shot so many threes?
> > >
> > > Tonight, per the box score record on threes:  Boston, 3-13 for 23%;
> > > Memphis, 6-26 for 23%.  That's right, people.  Hubie's team shot twice
as
> > > many threes as Boston, hitting an identical percentage.  Kinda makes
ol'
> > > Hubie look like an idiot, which is cool with me.
> > >
> > > Ok, let's get with the game.
> > >
> > >
> > > First Quarter:
> > >
> > > Just before the game, Mike Gorman interviewed Mike James, known as
"The
> > > Amityville Horror" (his hometown is Amityville, NY)--who wears #13 to
> > > boot.  James said his focus was on increasing his consistency.  He
also
> > > indicated he needed to control the offense and the tempo more.
> > >
> > > Boston's starters were Vin Baker and Kedrick Brown at Forward, Mike
James
> > > and Paul Pierce at Guard, and Mark Blount at Center.  The Grizz went
with
> >a
> > > stating group of Pau Gason and James Posey at Forward, Mike Miller and
> > > Jason Williams at Guard, and Stromile Swift at Center.
> > >
> > > FSNE still needs to work on showing the action properly--they were
still
> > > showing the injury report while the tipoff was taking place, and we
barely
> > > got back to the action in time to see Pierce rip down the rebound
after
> >the
> > > Grizz missed their first shot attempt, then make the long outlet pass
to
> > > Kedrick Brown for an easy two to give the C's first blood of the game
at
> > > 2-zip.  Tom Heinsohn was chanting "Run, Run Run, off the Rebounds!"  I
> > > half-expected him to follow it up with "Move, Move, Move, toward the
> >Hoop!"
> > >
> > > Anyway...Kedrick committed a reach-in foul at the other end as Memphis
> > > converted 1-2 at the line.  The first of a number of--dare I say
> >it--spooky
> > > plays happened as the inbound pass went by the intended recipient's
feet
> > > and back out of bounds.  It happened so fast, I simply couldn't tell
who
> > > tried to catch it.
> > >
> > > Mark Blount started early crashing the boards.  Kedrick tried to outdo
> > > Gasol to the rebound, but the refs made one of their eerie calls
tonight
> > > and Memphis kept possession of the pumpkin.  Pierce got another
rebound,
> > > but was stripped from behind as he crossed halfcourt.  The C's kept
> > > possession and James tried an up and under move  that just missed the
> >hoop.
> > > Blount picked up a foul on a block.  Miller converted and the Grizz
now
> >had
> > > a 4-2 lead.
> > >
> > > At this juncture, the Grizzlies undertook full court pressure to slow
the
> > > C's down.  It was paying off quickly, ad the C's often had trouble
getting
> > > it over halfcourt in time.  Blount kept up his work on the boards, and
had
> > > a very physically demanding night.
> > >
> > > Vin Baker was also hard at work, and made a nice spin move toward the
hoop
> > > that just brushed off the front of the rim.  Vin likes that spin and
shoot
> > > move, but sooner or later, people are going to start defending that
> > > better.  Not tonight, but sooner....or later.
> > >
> > > Incidentally, that's one thing that really impresses me.  Vin
generally
> > > takes high-percentage shots.  He rarely shoots unless he gets a good
> > > look.  He also makes solid outlet passes--in some cases, better than
our
> > > Point Guards do.  I just wish he shot free throws better.
> > >
> > > Blount made a nice defensive move, pressuring his man from behind,
then
> > > stepping back to let the guy fall down and lose the ball.  This
resulted
> >in
> > > a fast break to the hoop ending with Pierce putting the ball in with a
> > > flourish.
> > >
> > > But the Grizz were running as hard as the C's, and sometimes to better
> > > effect.  The score, with 9 minutes left, was tied at 4.  Baker
committed a
> > > turnover as he passed to someone who wasn't there!  Actually, he was
> >firing
> > > an outlet pass to Mike James, who inexplicably stopped in his tracks
as
> >the
> > > ball flew past him.
> > >
> > > Pierce then committed a turnover as he got stripped while trying to
> >dribble
> > > around Pau Gasol.  The Grizz obviously planned to overplay the passing
> > > lanes and harass Pierce.  So far, it was working quite well.  Baker
one
> > > more went under the hoop and up for a shot, but got stuffed.  He tried
to
> > > bring down the rebound, but got stripped.  This would constitute the
low
> > > point--literally--of Baker's offense tonight.
> > >
> > > Kedrick got a fast break basket off a Grizzly miss at the other end.
But
> > > fouls were a plague on the C's early as the C's got called and the
Grizz
> > > often did not.  Even when the C's went to the line, the missed
> > > frequently.  Please, guys--I beg you, work on your free throws!!
> > >
> > > Next time up, Vin took a pass and went zipping down the middle of the
lane
> > > for two.  The Grizzlies were shooting better--6-13, and keeping ahead
of
> > > the Good Guys.   Pierce took yet another foul--not called, but he gets
> > > credit for not complaining--and got the ball to Baker, who spun past
his
> > > man near the arc, and swept in from the side for a layup.  Then at the
> > > other end, he rebounded a Memphis miss and got it quickly to James,
who
> >fed
> > > Pierce for two more.  Time was called with 4:55 left in the quarter
and
> >the
> > > Grizz leading 17-14.
> > >
> > > Following the timeout, Raef LaFrentz and Eric Williams came into the
> > > game.  Raef tried to get the ball into Eric Williams, but Eric's
defender
> > > tried to put his hand through Eric's lower back, and the foul was
> > > surprisingly called.  James was distributing the ball well, but Raef's
> >shot
> > > clanked off the rim.
> > >
> > > Eric also was active on the defensive end, nearly stealing the ball.
> >James
> > > made a nice play when Bo Outlaw nearly stole the outlet pass. He
gently
> > > bumped Outlaw out of bounds.  Tom Heinsohn asserted that the C's
needed to
> > > take better care of the outlet pass, as other teams were now aware
that
> > > Boston intended to use it.  He was definitely right where Memphis was
> > > concerned.  The Grizz were definitely overplaying the passing lanes.
> > >
> > > Marcus Banks came in as James picked up another foul, marking his
first
> > > action against the team that initially drafted him before trading him
> > > (along with Kendrick Perkins) to Boston in return for Troy Bell and
> >Dahntay
> > > Jones on draft night last Summer.
> > >
> > > Eric Williams made another nice pass to Battie for a jumper.  The
passing
> > > game does seem to be contagious with the C's this year.  Then Battie
> >nearly
> > > picked the pumpkin off at the other end.
> > >
> > > Then Waltah! made himself more lovable by getting the ball into
> > > Eric.  Williams went down the middle for two and the foul.  Eric's
free
> > > throw attempt was interrupted by Coach O'Brien picking up a technical
foul
> > > for pointedly observing to the officials that they were missing a few
> > > calls.  The assistant coaches kept Obie from giving vent to another
> >comment
> > > or two.  Following a successful "T" by Memphis,Eric missed his free
> > > throw.  *sigh*  With 2:33 left in the first, Memphis held a 23-18 lead
as
> > > timeout was called.
> > >
> > > When play came back in, Tommy declared that the C's would "have to gut
> >this
> > > one out--they're not gonna get the breaks!"  as if this was somehow
not
> > > predestined.
> > >
> > > Memphis nearly scored on a broken play and Banks remarkably went to
the
> > > line, missing both.  All the C's crashed the boards on the next play,
> > > resulting in Banks making another trip to he line.  This time he did
twice
> > > as well as before, making 1 of 2.  Tommy recommended that the C's try
> > > working a back door play, which sounded like a good idea to me if the
> >Grizz
> > > were going to overplay like this.
> > >
> > > Pierce took a shot with 32.6 seconds left that got blocked.  tommy was
> > > screaming for a goaltending call, but I went frame by frame on the
tape,
> > > and it was a clean block.  Pierce did, however, get fouled, and went
to
> >the
> > > line for two.  He made one.  (AARGH).  While Pierce was getting the
ball
> >in
> > > to Battie, Shane Battier literally grabbed Pierce's uniform to hold
him
> > > back with no call.   Fortunately, Battie DID draw a foul on the play,
and
> > > made both.
> > >
> > > Pierce then stole the ball on the next defensive stand, and got it to
> > > Banks, who dropped it to Williams.  Eric's shot didn't fall, but Raef
had
> > > the cleanup rebound.  The first quarter ended with Memphis leading
> > > 29-27.  In the first quarter, Boston outshot Memphis slightly, going
> >11-20,
> > > while the Grizz were 9-22.  The C's also held a 20-10 edge in paint
> > > points.  But the scoring difference was in the Memphis threes and in
the
> > > free throws.  The Grizz were 9-12, while the C's were a zombie-like
> > > 5-10.  For crying out loud, my CAT can go 5-10 at the line.  But then,
she
> > > looks like a furry basketball.  I told her not to go trick-or-treating
> > > without me.
> > >
> > > Second Quarter:
> > >
> > > The third quarter would prove frustrating for the Good Guys, as they
would
> > > close in on the Grizz, then something would go wrong, and Memphis
would
> > > once more increase it's lead.  More weirdness happened as James Posey
> > > nearly ended up in the lap of radio broadcaster (and former Celtics
> >player)
> > > Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell.  He had his hands up on the play, showing
he
> > > remembers how to play the game properly.
> > >
> > > Pierce then got a good look at a jumper with single coverage, but
> > > missed.  Then Banks picked off the Grizz at the defensive and and
fired a
> > > pass up to a speeding Kedrick Brown.  But the pass was moving even
faster
> > > than Kedrick.  He somehow caught up to the pumpkin as it bounced off
the
> > > free throw line towards the baseline, but their combined momentum
carried
> > > them too far under the hoop.  Kedrick tried to throw it back in as he
flew
> > > out of bounds, but the ball looped straight up and hit the basket
> >stanchion
> > > out of bounds.
> > >
> > > Meanwhile, Gasol took a page out of Vin's playbook and flushed a shot
on a
> > > spin move.  Pierce and Battie stopped Posey from pulling the same move
on
> > > the next play.  Yet while the refs were no longer calling the
nonexistent
> > > fouls against the C's as they did in the first, it's not as if they
became
> > > Celtics fans, either.
> > >
> > > Banks still looked a little too forced on his shots, though his timing
and
> > > selection improved somewhat over the previous game.  But as Jason
Williams
> > > took the rebounded miss, he slipped and fell out of bounds, returning
the
> > > ball to Boston.  Mike James then came back in, along with Baker.
> > >
> > > Pierce tried to lay a pass down to Raef, but since they were about
four
> > > inches apart, he didn't have time to receive it properly.  Raef is
good,
> > > but not THAT good.  Very few people can take a pass like that.
> > >
> > > There was a good defensive play by Boston as Kedrick cut off the angle
and
> > > he and Raef combined to stuff the shot.  Baker alertly grabbed the
loose
> > > ball and looked to see who was furthest up, then realized the upcourt
> >lanes
> > > were blocked.  He dropped it back to Pierce, who had the angle to get
it
> >up
> > > to Kedrick.  Brown drove toward the hoop, but his shot was blocked.
Raef
> > > grabbed the ball, but it was slapped out of his upraised hands as his
> > > defender went flying toward--yep, Cedric Maxwell again.  Max is
getting
> > > practice taking a charge, anyway.  Good to keep in shape, if you don't
get
> > > squooshed.
> > >
> > > When the ball came back in, I noticed that Vin has good Point Guard
> > > instincts.  He looked to see who had the best shot.  No one presented
a
> > > decent look, due to good defense by the Grizz, so he dribbled up to
dump
> >it
> > > off.  The shot just missed, but it was a case of something out of
almost
> > > nothing.  Unfortunately, the C's defense broke down on the next play,
as
> > > Swift went straight down the middle for a two handed dunk, and Raef
never
> > > got in front of his man.  This prompted Obie to call time with 9:06
left
> > > and explain that the current Grizzly lead of 35-27 would get really
grisly
> > > if the C's didn't shore up their defense.
> > >
> > > When time came back in, Pierce committed a turnover, when he was
setting
> >up
> > > for his shot.  His man had gone past him, and Pierce was wide
> > > open.  Unfortunately, the ref blocked my view, but it seems as if that
low
> > > dribble Pierce likes was his undoing there.  To his credit, he went to
the
> > > floor to try to retrieve it, but it ended up Memphis ball.  Jason
Willimas
> > > buried another three to increase the lead.
> > >
> > > Eric Williams went strong to the hoop, and had two good upfakes to
draw
> >the
> > > foul.  He went to the line and made one of two.  But Pierce snagged
the
> > > miss and drew the foul as Posey hit him.  Back inbound, Pierce drove
to
> >the
> > > hoop, and got two and the foul.  At long last, some calls our way.
But he
> > > missed the free throw, which made me aggravated.  Pierce normally
makes
> > > much better attempts.
> > >
> > > The C's defense was giving them opportunities on offense, but things
went
> > > weird again, as James passed up an open look to try to send it back
out to
> > > Pierce.  But the Grizz were waiting for that, and intercepted the
pass,
> > > knocking the ball back over toward halfcourt.  He drove in, back up a
step
> > > and fired for two.  Pierce made a tough shot, but in that case, James
> > > should have sent it up, instead of a risky back pass to Paul.
> > >
> > > Jason Williams buried another three, and this was where the Grizz did
most
> > > of their damage in the quarter.  They kept popping the lead out every
time
> > > the C's closed in.  The Grizz were now 4-9 from the arc, whilst the
C's
> > > were 0-4.
> > >
> > > But the C's offense wasn't doing what it had in recent games.  Pierce
was
> > > being given the ball out by the three point line, and there often
weren't
> > > any teammates in the paint.  This forced Paul to take it in from high
up,
> > > giving the defense time to be ready for him.  There was no sign of Vin
> > > Baker, for example, waiting to take the dump pass for a spin and
> > > shoot.  But since the Grizz were overplaying the pass, they didn't
double
> > > up as fast as they should have, giving Pierce a little room to work
> > > with.  How he didn't get fouled with three defenders converging on
him, I
> > > don't know.  But he somehow got the ball up, and it was just a shade
high
> > > on the backboard, caroming off the front of the rim on the way down.
> > >
> > > Blount was working hard to establish defensive position.  I hope Raef
was
> > > paying attention.  But the offense was--well, stilted.  Passes weren't
> > > being properly made.  Eric Williams got caught on the side and the
only
> > > option left was a desperation pass to Pierce to attempt a
low-percentage
> > > shot clock three.  I know Pierce is their best player, but the rest of
the
> > > team needs to learn to play without expecting him to bail them out
EVERY
> > > time.  He simply can't work miracles, and he was having troubles of
his
> >own
> > > tonight.
> > >
> > > At the other end, the threes finally stopped falling for the Grizz.
> >Boston
> > > rebounded, but as James was going for the rebound, Waltah! got tangled
up
> > > with him, and James had to try to pass the ball to Pierce from a prone
> > > position.  Pierce managed to corral the ball despite a Memphis shadow,
and
> > > he made a high lob pass to Eric Williams at the far corner.  Eric was
> > > fouled by Miller, as timeout was called with 5:49 left in the half and
the
> > > Grizz leading 41-32.
> > >
> > > When time came back in, Eric Williams was at the free throw line,
making
> > > both--at long last!!!!
> > >
> > > James then tried a little full court pressure, but as he was the only
one
> > > applying the squeeze, Memphis shrugged him off pretty quickly.  But
Raef
> > > LaFrentz outhustled three Memphis players to exhume the ball out of
the
> > > tangle to Blount.  Waltah! made a double spin move for the two at the
> >other
> > > end.
> > >
> > > The C's finally got the fast break going again, as James heaved the
ball
> >up
> > > to Eric Williams, who made the quick jumper.  This prompted Hubie to
call
> > > time with 4:37 left and the score now 41-38, as the C's slashed the
> >Grizzly
> > > lead with a 6-0 run.
> > >
> > > Banks came in for James, and the C's tightened their defense a
> > > bit.  Now,the offense needed a boost.  Baker spun another move on
Outlaw
> > > for two more.  Memphis was settling for the outside jumper, which
wasn't
> > > falling.  Pierce made the outlet pass to Eric, who missed.  Baker's
> >cleanup
> > > rebound was a tad too enthusiastic and the Grizz got the ball.  On
their
> > > way back down, Bo Outlaw thought he was going to be given a clear run
to
> > > the hoop, but Eric Williams had other ideas, as Bo landed somewhere in
the
> > > third row, taking out a cameraman along the way.  Eric stood rubbing
his
> > > left knee, looking a little sore as Bo was being extracted from the
pileup
> > > behind the hoop.  Fortunately, both players and the cameraman seemed
to be
> > > ok, and play continued.
> > >
> > > The resulting free throws pushed the Grizz lead back up, but Baker hit
a
> > > nice open 12-foot jumper, off an Eric Williams pass.  Eric then got
> > > entangled once more with Bo, and they ended up in a jump ball, which
Eric
> > > won.  Pierce took the pumpkin and threw a late lead in pass to Raef,
which
> > > sailed over Raef's head.  But Raef got his own back on the next trip,
with
> > > a deep jumper from the corner.
> > >
> > > The main reason the C's kept it close were on the defensive end, where
the
> > > Grizz took the kind of shots that Boston took last season; and on the
> > > offensive end, where Baker and Eric Williams were taking
high-percentage
> > > shots off good passes.  But the C's offense seemed cursed one more as
the
> > > Grizz pulled away again, just as Boston closed in.  The first half
ended
> > > with Memphis maintaining their lead of 47-44.
> > >
> > >
> > > HALFTIME:
> > >
> > > As far as sheer effort, both teams were working hard, though the C's
> > > were--by and large--working smarter.  Memphis was pushing it's luck at
the
> > > three, and losing the battle, as they were now 4-15 as Boston
disdained
> >the
> > > three, going 0-5.  Boston was shooting 50% to Memphis' 38%.  The C's
had a
> > > 26-16 lead in paint points.  But the Grizz were 11-14 at the free
throw
> > > line, whilst the C's were only 8-15.  Boston also had 11 turnovers to
only
> > > 9 for Memphis.  Additionally, Memphis converted the Boston turnovers
to 15
> > > points, as Boston only managed 6 points.
> > >
> > > This was a VERY close game so far.  For every advantage one team had,
the
> > > other countered.  As I mentioned, the Grizz were trying low-percentage
> >jump
> > > shots, but the C's were turning the ball over and missing free
> > > throws.  This would come down to second-half execution.  If the C's
could
> > > shoot more often while maintaining their high percentage, they had a
> > > chance.  If the Grizz started connecting on the threes, it would be a
> > > nightmare for Boston.
> > >
> > >
> > > Third Quarter:
> > >
> > > Pierce opened up the third quarter by getting the ball in to Baker,
who
> > > posted up over Gasol for an easy two.  You could practically see the
light
> > > bulb go off over Vin's head.  But Blount got his third foul at the
other
> > > end.  Justice prevailed as Gasol went 1-2.
> > >
> > > Pierce got a good look at a deep two, as the entire Grizz defense
> >collapsed
> > > under the hoop, but it bounded off the rim.   Memphis was scaring me
as
> > > they started passing the ball and going inside.  If they did that with
> > > consistency and effectiveness, they were going to kill the C's and
stomp
> >on
> > > the pieces.
> > >
> > > They weren't letting Pierce pass inside to Baker--or anyone else, for
that
> > > matter, but Vin came out to take a pass and drain a jumper.  Pierce
did
> >get
> > > a rebound, but the Grizz defense closed down the outlet pass and Paul
> > > eventually dribbled into Posey for the charge.  Hubie Brown is
annoying,
> > > but he knows that the C's halfcourt game is 99% Paul Pierce.  If he
can
> > > stop the run and close off the passing lanes, he can expose Pierce's
> > > ballhandling problems.
> > >
> > > The C's forced Memphis back to the outside jumper, and Blount came up
with
> > > the rebound as a result.  James launched a three, but Blount got the
> > > offensive rebound--good work at both ends, there--and fired it back
out to
> > > James to reset the offense.  James got it to Baker, who was knocking
> > > Gasol's lights out.
> > >
> > > Vin Baker was single-handedly keeping the C's offense in gear, having
> > > scored all of the 3rd quarter points to this juncture, with 8:40
> > > left.  This brought the score to 53-50, as Boston closed in once
> > > again.  But Swift faked Baker out of his feet and drive in for the
stuff
> >at
> > > the other end.  Blount got caught obviously searching out Pierce and
the
> > > pass was stolen, with a Memphis layup resulting, as Blount picked up
his
> > > fourth foul.
> > >
> > > At the other end, the C's weren't running as fast as they should have,
as
> > > Pierce got no help on the break.  Miller bailed the C's out by fouling
> > > Pierce, but the guys still need to run harder and more consistently.
> > > Boston also backslid a bit, letting Pierce go one-on everyone too
often
> > > with no help.  Some of this was the Memphis defense cutting off the
> >passing
> > > lanes, but that just means Paul needs to pass the ball a little faster
> >than
> > > he's used to, before he's ganged up on.  On the next play, he just
plain
> > > got caught out, and was called for an offensive foul.  He was running
> >fast,
> > > but not smart, that time.  Frankly, Pierce's defensive game was much
> >better
> > > than his offensive game tonight.
> > >
> > > Gasol proved to be a slow learner, as Eric got the ball into Baker,
and
> >Pau
> > > thought he could handle Vin straight up.  One hook shot later, Pau
looked
> >a
> > > tad sheepish.  By the way, I wish Vin would develop that hook shot a
> >little
> > > more.  He's got the size and speed to make it really effective for
him,
> >and
> > > the damned thing is nearly unstoppable if you do it right.
> > >
> > > Baker was active on the defensive end as well, tearing down the
rebound,
> > > and getting it to James.  But James doesn't seem to read the court as
well
> > > as he should--missing both Pierce and Battie upcourt.  I honestly
wonder
> >if
> > > he's having some kind of trouble.  I know he CAN pass it, but
sometimes,
> > > the pass just never comes, and he dribbles the ball up.  At least it's
not
> > > the shambling pace used by the C's last year, but still, the pass IS
> >faster.
> > >
> > > Battie shot up an airball from the corner--I really prefer he go
inside
> > > whenever possible.  You notice that Vin Baker rarely takes a shot
outside
> > > his range, unless there's no other option.  Battie sometimes
overestimates
> > > his ability on the outside jumpers.  But he redeemed himself on the
> > > defensive boards at the other end.  But the Grizz once more extended
their
> > > lead, to the frustration of Celtics players and fans.
> > >
> > > There was suddenly more than frustration as Eric Williams went down on
the
> > > next play.  He got fouled as he went up for a shot with 5:55 to go--no
> > > call, of course, but he never made it back down court on defense and
by
> >the
> > > time the C's came back on offense, he was clearly limping and having
> > > difficulty putting weight on his left leg.  Looking back at his shot
> > > attempt, it looked like his left leg came down at an odd angle from
the
> > > rest of him, and he stopped running then and there.  He made it to the
> > > bench under his own power, and was immediately seen to by the
> > > trainer.  Tommy prognosticated--correctly, we later learned--that it
was a
> > > knee problem, specifically, a hyperextended right knee.  That was
> > > especially troubling as earlier in the game, he's banged up his left
knee,
> > > too.  He would not return to the floor.
> > >
> > > Meanwhile, Waltah! made a VERY nice fake on a three, then calmly sank
it
> >as
> > > his defender went flying into the corner.  Tommy tried to pressure
Gorman
> > > to say he loved Waltah! too, but Gorman just said no.
> > >
> > > Vin Baker made a strong defensive move, stopping the pass inward.  He
> > > finally went to the bench for a well-deserved rest.  I swear, if
anyone
> > > predicted Vin would play this well at both ends for ANY game this
year,
> > > then they have a time machine.  And he wasn't done yet.
> > >
> > > Banks ran the length of the floor on the next play, then--to quote
Johnny
> > > Most by way of Tommy Heinsohn, HE GOT MUGGED!  Raef couldn't muscle
> >between
> > > the two Memphis players that were between him and the hoop for the
> >rebound.
> > >
> > > Banks then zoomed past the defense and got two.  Outlaw missed a
three,
> >but
> > > Wesley Person rebounded and made the three.  The C's failed to convert
at
> > > the other end, and Bo Outlaw danced through the defense to the hoop
for
> >two
> > > more.  Obie called timeout with 3:13 left in the quarter and the Grizz
now
> > > leading it 65-59.
> > >
> > > Tommy took the opportunity to suggest that some of the refs might be
> > > missing calls due to lack of conditioning for a running game.  He's
lucky
> > > they can't assess him technical fouls, though I'm still thinking he'll
> > > become the first broadcaster ejected from a game.  :>)
> > >
> > > Obie wisely reinserted Baker, as Pierce remained on the bench.  James
put
> > > one off the glass for two, and Waltah! stole it at the other end.  The
C's
> > > missed a golden give and go opportunity, forcing Kedrick to a bad
> > > three.  Waltah! batted the ball out once more, and continued making
his
> > > presence known on defense.
> > >
> > > Mike James continued to miss free throws, going 1-2.  Then Baker went
to
> > > the line, and made both! YAY!
> > >
> > > Then, Baker played tough defense, motored up the court, and took the
> >inside
> > > pass. He dunked the ball with emphasis.  Make no mistake, people--Vin
was
> > > keeping the C's in the game at both ends.  Vin gave the C's their
first
> > > lead in ages with 1:10 left, 66-65.
> > >
> > > Then, Vin got fouled on a made three, and hit the free throw!  Well,
the
> > > playback did show the foul before the shot.  But we're the Good Guys!
> > >
> > > But the Grizz refused to give in, and stole the ball, leading to a
> > > basket.  The third quarter ended with Boston leading it, 70-69.  Vin
Baker
> > > had--so far--21 points in 23 minutes on 9-11 shooting.
> > >
> > >
> > > Fourth Quarter:
> > >
> > > The group that procured the lead at the end of the third, started the
> > > fourth--as Pierce remained on the bench for an extended period of
> > > time.  Vin was officially Da Man right now.
> > >
> > > But Memphis came roaring back, retaking the lead until Vin made a shot
> > > clock spin shot.  Waltah! rebounded and got it to James, who zipped up
> >with
> > > Vin blocking for him for two and the free throw.  Then Vin tore down
> > > another rebound and passed quickly to James.  Vin was fast enough to
> > > receive the pass inside at the other end, then rebounded his own miss,
but
> > > was rejected by a strong Memphis defense.
> > >
> > > But Super Vin was back on defense, taking down his eighth rebound as
he
> >got
> > > fouled.  Pierce came back in, and drew the defense as he passed out to
> > > James for the catch and shoot three.  In addition, the refs were
catching
> > > these incidental muggings committed by the Grizz, and that was cutting
> >down
> > > on the overly physical play for the most part.  Hubie had to call time
> >with
> > > 9:34 left in the game and the score now 78-71 in favor of Boston.
> > >
> > > When time came back in,Waltah! made a nice block, that would have been
an
> > > easy break, but the Grizz defense was on the ball--literally, keeping
pace
> > > with the C's.  Raef ended up taking an outside shot that wasn't very
> > > good.  But Pierce stripped the Grizz at the other end, and James' shot
> > > didn't go in.  Waltah! tried to slam the rebound, but it bounced
> > > out.  Swift took it hard to the hoop and Vin was unable to keep from
> > > committing the foul as he tried to prevent the basket.
> > >
> > > Pierce missed a fast break opportunity, and got the ball to Vin too
late
> > > for anything but a foul in the act of shooting.  Vin's one weakness
right
> > > now is his free throw shooting, though considering he was doing
everything
> > > else, I'll give him some slack for now.  Two misses later, Memphis had
the
> > > ball as Gasol tried beat Vin, but couldn't convert.  The C's made a
few
> > > fast passes between Banks and Brown, and while Memphis was mesmerized,
> > > Pierce swept in from the side to receive the ball for an easy two.
The
> > > Grizz called time with 7:14 left and the sore now 82-73, Boston
leading.
> > >
> > > Banks made a great defensive play and the break was on, but Pierce
> > > inexplicably stopped at the free throw line, and the defense was now
> > > ready.  The forced pass was picked off, and Banks ended up committing
a
> > > foul on defense as Memphis ran right back.
> > >
> > > Now, it was the Grizzlies who were slowly climbing back into the game
as
> > > the final quarter slowly wound down.  Pierce hit his free throws as
the
> > > Grizz went over the limit with over half the quarter left.  Tommy
actually
> > > complimented the refs, saying they were finally getting into the
rhythm of
> > > the game.
> > >
> > > The C's still kept trying going to Pierce exclusively every time the
break
> > > broke down.  They can't keep doing that.  They need to look for other
> > > options at least often enough to keep the defense honest.  As it is,
the
> > > know the moment the C's slow down, they'll try to get the ball to
Pierce.
> > >
> > > Unfortunately, the Grizz hit another three, and closed the gap a
little
> > > more.  They stopped the C's at the other end, and then went to the
line on
> > > a foul.  Timeout was called with 5:09 left and Boston now leading it
> > > 84-78.  Two free throws later, it was a four point game.
> > >
> > > This time, Pierce came out to draw the defense on the pass, and was
> > > fouled.  He made both, but the C's need Pierce to get the ball two
feet
> > > from the hoop, not twenty feet.  Blount then took a defensive rebound
and
> >a
> > > few seconds later, James made a fast hoop for two more.
> > >
> > > Pierce worked hard on the defensive end and got fouled getting the
> >rebound,
> > > making both.  There was now only 4 minutes left in the game, and the
C's
> > > had a 90-80 lead.  But the Grizz weren't dead yet, as they kept
> > > fighting.  Blount stole the ball, but James wasted the possession with
a
> > > silly attempt at a three.  There was 13 seconds left on the shot
clock,
> >and
> > > Kedrick was wide open at the other side of the arc, with a passing
angle
> >in
> > > to Pierce, who was facing single coverage.  Bad shot selection--and,
for
> > > that matter, a bad shot, period.
> > >
> > > At the other end, Gasol went to the hoop, then to the line as Blount
> > > committed his fifth foul.  Pau made both, and Memphis pressured the
C's
> > > offense.  The C's never got a really good look.  Then Swift drove to
the
> > > hoop and Blount ended up fouling out of the game with 2:44 left.
> > >
> > > Following a timeout, Swift hit the free throw for the old-fashioned
three
> > > point play, cutting the C"s lead down to 5 points.  They continued to
> > > pressure the C's on offense, and harassed Pierce to the point where
all he
> > > could do was pass back out.  James made a valiant attempt to go to the
> >hoop
> > > that failed.  The C's mounted a furious defensive stand that gave them
> > > possession of the pumpkin, but they walked up the floor.  Vin drew the
> > > defense before firing out a pass to an open Kedrick--who,
unfortunately,
> > > shot an airball.
> > >
> > > Bodies hit the floor as the Grizz came back on offense, ending with an
> > > alley-oop to swift for two,  Pierce found Baker under the basket at
the
> > > other end.  Vin was hammered and went to the line with 1:16 left and
the
> > > score now 90-87.  However, Vin's free throw shooting is still not so
hot,
> > > and he missed the first, though the second crawled into the basket.
> > >
> > > But miller blew past Kedrick and put it down for two more, and it was
> >91-89
> > > with one minute left.  Pierce drove to the hoop, and was called for an
> > > offensive foul--his fifth (Initially, I thought it was #6, but he
remained
> > > in the game).  The replay proved Tommy right--the defender WAS still
> > > moving, in fact, had one foot still in the air--and was well outside
the
> > > semicircle.
> > >
> > > But it was crunch time for the Good Guys as Pierce had to sit.  Blount
was
> > > gone on fouls and Eric was out with the knee injury.  The Grizz went
to
> >the
> > > hole, but the Bat-Man was there for the rebound as Boston made the
long
> > > pass to Kedrick.  There wasn't much Kedrick could do as his defender
was
> > > right on top of him, but he managed to call timeout with 13 seconds
left
> >on
> > > the shot clock and 31.4 seconds left in the game.
> > >
> > > Following the timeout, Pierce was back on the floor, and made good
spin
> >and
> > > fake moves, but still got stuffed on the shot.  He went to the floor
for
> > > the loose ball, but the shot clock ran down.  There was a
> >near-altercation,
> > > as Vin saw something that he didn't like, and ran toward the tangle of
C's
> > > and Grizz players.  Vin was about to rearrange James Posey's face when
the
> > > refs broke it up, with--rather surprisingly--no technical fouls called
> > > either way.  Timeout was called with 17.9 seconds left, and the score
> >still
> > > 91-89 in Boston's favor.
> > >
> > > Following the timeout, the refs put some time back on the clock, so
there
> > > was now 18.5 seconds left.  On the inbound play, Pierce was called on
what
> > > I say was a clean block.  But Pierce fouled out of the game.  Even
Mike
> > > Gorman said it was a bad call, and he usually lets Tommy make those
> > > declarations.
> > >
> > > With 10.4 seconds left, Gasol sank both free throws to tie the game at
> > > 91.  The C's used their last time out to figure out what to do without
> > > Pierce, Blount, or Williams.  Waltah! came in to provide some veteran
> > > stability, but anyone who watched this game probably figured Baker was
the
> > > likely go-to guy.  Waltah! put the ball inbound, and got it to Mike
James
> > > near the halfcourt line--the Grizz had also figured on Vin and were
> > > covering him.
> > >
> > > James held the ball at the top of the arc, and realized everyone was
too
> > > well covered to get a pass to.  He had only one defender in front of
him,
> > > and time was running down.  He faked the three, and drove past his
> > > man.  Baker had broken free, but by now, James was closer to the hoop,
and
> > > vin was at the arc line.
> > >
> > >  From just above the corner of the free throw line James let it go,
just
> > > clearing the hand of his defender.
> > > With 1.8 seconds left.
> > >
> > > Nothing but net.
> > >
> > > Memphis called time to try to make one more push, as Pierce ran onto
the
> > > court and picked James off the floor for a hug.  The C's were
determined
> >to
> > > make one last defensive stand.
> > >
> > > The Grizz took the ball in at halfcourt, and Gasol took the pass, with
> > > Baker in his face.  Vin fronted him and time expired as the Celtics
played
> > > a Halloween trick and stole the game away from the Grizz, 93-91.
> > >
> > > Cookies and Crumbs:
> > >
> > > Cookies go to:
> > >
> > > VIN BAKER:  He gets a DOZEN cookies for his stentorian work at both
> > > ends.  He made the last minute heroics of James possible and played
> >defense
> > > literally to the last second.  24 points on 10-14 shooting in 34
> > > minutes.  Also, 8 rebounds, an assist and a steal.  His only relative
> > > weakness was at the free throw line, where he was 4-7.
> > >
> > > Mike James: When you make last-second, game winning shots you get a
> >cookie.
> > >
> > > Mark Blount for his physical work at both ends.  Raef, pay attention
to
> >that.
> > >
> > > Eric Williams:  His injuries came on tough aggressive plays.  I hope
he's
> > > ok soon!
> > >
> > > Paul Pierce gets a cookie for his scoring and free throw
shooting--though
> > > he scored fewer points than Vin, and his percentage wasn't as good.
> > >
> > > The refs get one cookie between them for not calling T's on the 4th
> >quarter
> > > spat, since it was their fault in the first place.
> > >
> > > Crumbs go to:
> > >
> > > The refs, for letting the game get too physical and not calling it
both
> >ways.
> > >
> > > Paul Pierce and his nine turnovers.  To his credit, after the game, he
got
> > > on himself about that.  But I'd rather see him not make the turnovers
in
> > > the first place.
> > >
> > > Marcus Banks:  he was better, but not by much.  He has to step up.
> > >
> > > The C's running and passing game.  It was obvious from the outset that
> > > Hubie Brown knew the C's game plan and got his players to beat it.  If
the
> > > Grizz had shot a little better, this game would've been lost quickly.
> > >
> > > The C's won't get to rest in peace, as they must face the New Orleans
> > > Hornets less than 22 hours later.
> > >
> > > And that's the view from the doghouse.
> > >
> > > Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
> > > Please visit the <http://www.celticsbeagle.net/>Celtics Beagle Website