An Article from Blaze
Celtics Overwhelm Portland posted: 2/19/2010 at 11:19 PM
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Class was in session Friday night at the Rose Garden.
That's how championship contenders bring it. That's how you play defense. That's physical, playoff-style ball. In short, it was a clinic. And, I'm sure the Blazers were paying close attention and learned a little something.
As much as it's easy to point to things Portland didn't do well (and there are a lot of things), you simply have to give most of the credit on this night to a Boston team that is starting to hit its stride during the home stretch of this season. I honestly don't think that Portland didn't bring intensity. Boston just wrung it out of them early and often in this contest.
Sure, the Blazers didn't hit contested outside shots. They didn't take care of the ball, and they didn't execute in their half-court sets. But, again, the Celtics simply were able to push them around, outwork them, and quite simply make life miserable on Portland.
Brandon Roy clearly isn't near 100 percent yet, as he works to get back into the mix. And, before the game we warned that following a significant trade there is an adjustment period. But, I'm not sure any of this really mattered on this night. Boston was just too good.
Not only were the Celtics playing smothering defense, they were hitting everything they looked at. You combine that with their oppressive style of play and you get exactly what we saw in that dominant first half. Boston shot 73 percent in the first quarter, held Portland to 3 of 16 shooting in the second quarter, and held an 18-point halftime lead.
The Trail Blazers did come out more aggressive in the second half, and did cut the lead to 9 early in the fourth quarter. But, all the Celtics did then was tighten the screws defensively and hand the ball to Ray Allen on offense. Game over.
Going up against Boston, you expect to suffer scoring draughts. The Blazers had a 7 minute stretch early in the second quarter where they couldn't even get a quality look, and didn't record a field goal. Combine that with another five-minute draught in the fourth, and you've got no chance.
What makes Boston such an elite road team in the NBA? Again, defense. This win upped their record, away from home, to 19-9. They are only 15-9 on their home floor. And, right now, this is a focused, determined team, that has it's top eight players healthy for really the first time this season.
If some people have written them off as a title contender in the east, better think again. If they play anything like the way they did on Friday at Portland, they'll be in the mix when the second season gets underway.
To listen to Nate McMillan's post-game comments, click here.
I'd love to say things are going to get easier, but I can't. Sundayrs.com on how the C's whooped their tale.