Last night was the first Celts game I had been to in a few years (a former season ticket holder during the lean years --- where have you gone Marty Conlon!) . There was so much to take in – here are a few of my observations.
GAME
• That was the closest 20+ blowout I’ve seen in a long long time. The difference in the game was the Celts made the shots Atlanta didn’t.
• Doc Rivers has a ton of material to call upon for the next few practices. Atlanta was dominating the paint (for the first 3 quarters) completely forcing the Celtics outside. Thankfully the outside shots were falling.
• The Celts outscored the Hawks by 18 from 3 point land. There’s the game. The three 3-point shots that Pierce hit late in the first quarter ended the game.
• Ray Allen dominated the 3rd, but Rondo dominated the entire game. Rondo could have very easily had a triple double last night.
• Two quick fouls to Perkins got him completely out of the game. I think the lack of Perkins played a huge role in how the Celts played at both ends.
• I thought the refs did a lousy job both ways last night.
• Most impressive play of the game goes to Josh Smith. At one point he blocked (I believe Powe) a shot, controlled it, went the length of the court for a lay-up. Very impressive.
Crowd / Other
• The intensity was simply awesome.
• Chicken or the Egg? What came first, the jumbotron or the crowd acting like buffoons? Way too much time spent on clowns in the stands…
• First let me say – the dancers are smokin hot, but there were a lot of women in my section (including young girls) who were turned off / offended by the dancers. I am pretty sure; Wyc must know that Red would have hated this. I think I do too.
• As for the Jumbotron, there was a great Red Sox moment with the camera panning between the trio of Ortiz, Lowell and Pedroia and Youkilis sitting a few seats away.
• Highlight of the entire night was the Heroes Among Us presentation (I will have more in my next post)
Bottom Line
Atlanta will be lucky to win 1 game, but the Celtics should count their blessings they were playing a team as bad as the Hawks last night. A 20+ point win with lots and lots of material for Doc to call upon. I am sure he will.