The return of defense

[PLamb]

One of the most encouraging signs of the last two games has for me been a return of stifling Celtic style defense

The Celtics won a title two years ago and raced to an incredible season starting record last season because of defense

That, except for a 15 game stretch or so at the start of the season has been missing

I have seen signs that it may be ready to make a return just when this team needs it the most

Here's some encouraging signs:


-The Celtics held the Lakers, a team that usually scores 102.9 PPG and 104.9 PPG at home to 86 points in their own building

-And don't give me the Kobe excuse because they held the Lakers with Kobe to 90


-The C's held the Lakers to 37 total second half points

-The Celtics allowed the Lakers to score exactly 2 points in the final 7:12 of the game last night

-The Celtics held the Kings, a team that usually scores 101.7 PPG and 105.2 PPG at home to 92 points

-They held the Kings to 40 total second half points

-During the Final 7 plus minutes of the Kings game the Celtics allowed the Kings to score just 4 baskets

-The Celtics held 2 teams that shoot right around 46% for the year to a combined 39.1% shooting for the two games



Yes, the Celtics have struggled the last couple of games in other areas, specifically offensively, but if they have their defense back, if they have the knowledge that they can still shut down teams every night no matter who they are or where they are playing, if they are giving that defensive effort and seeing results, their offensive games will come to them through the natural flow of the game and through making offense from defense

It happens all the time in this game at every level

If you can play great defense, the offense will come as a by product of the defense

So tonight, for me, is a big test

3rd game in 4 nights all on the road, they've won the first 2

Will the C's get complacent with 2 hard fought wins and not give that defensive effort or will they bring the heat, shut down Portland like they did LA and Sactown and take another tough win in another tough place to win

Big game for me tonight

If the C's show the D is back, I will be encouraged that anything can and will be possible this year

[Discoflux]

Good Celtics defense but also good Lakers defense.  They held us to 90 points as well.

If we get by Cleveland it should be a good battle in the Finals with LA or  possibly Denver.  Unfortunately we're most likely not getting by Cleveland so its a moot point.

I wonder how the Lakers will look when you take the team we played last night and add to it the second best player in the NBA.

[BballTim]

Good Celtics defense but also good Lakers defense.  They held us to 90 points as well.

If we get by Cleveland it should be a good battle in the Finals with LA or  possibly Denver.  Unfortunately we're most likely not getting by Cleveland so its a moot point.

I wonder how the Lakers will look when you take the team we played last night and add to it the second best player in the NBA.

  I'm guessing he'll look great watching us beat Denver in the finals on his big screen tv.

[PLamb]

Good Celtics defense but also good Lakers defense.  They held us to 90 points as well.

If we get by Cleveland it should be a good battle in the Finals with LA or  possibly Denver.  Unfortunately we're most likely not getting by Cleveland so its a moot point.

I wonder how the Lakers will look when you take the team we played last night and add to it the second best player in the NBA.

What do I care about the Lakers, I'm not a Laker fan, you are, so who cares

[BudweiserCeltic]

Good Celtics defense but also good Lakers defense.  They held us to 90 points as well.

If we get by Cleveland it should be a good battle in the Finals with LA or  possibly Denver.  Unfortunately we're most likely not getting by Cleveland so its a moot point.

I wonder how the Lakers will look when you take the team we played last night and add to it the second best player in the NBA.

To be fair, the Lakers had 5 extra bodies on the floor... The refs, Sheed, and Daniels.

[wdleehi]

Good Celtics defense but also good Lakers defense.  They held us to 90 points as well.

If we get by Cleveland it should be a good battle in the Finals with LA or  possibly Denver.  Unfortunately we're most likely not getting by Cleveland so its a moot point.

I wonder how the Lakers will look when you take the team we played last night and add to it the second best player in the NBA.

Why do you keep talking like a Celtic's fan?  Do you think we have short memories on this site?

[PLamb]

Can we get this thread back to my point and away from this Laker fan's attempt to derail it

[BballTim]

Good Celtics defense but also good Lakers defense.  They held us to 90 points as well.

If we get by Cleveland it should be a good battle in the Finals with LA or  possibly Denver.  Unfortunately we're most likely not getting by Cleveland so its a moot point.

I wonder how the Lakers will look when you take the team we played last night and add to it the second best player in the NBA.

Why do you keep talking like a Celtic's fan?  Do you think we have short memories on this site?

  He posts on Lakers fan boards. Imagine what he's used to. Of course he thinks we have no idea he's a Lakers fan.

[BballTim]

Can we get this thread back to my point and away from this Laker fan's attempt to derail it

  Sorry, but ripping him is a lot of fun.

  I said something similar to my son at the end of the game. He was complaining that we had our usual offensive drought and I was telling him how much better it was to win by shutting them down than just outscoring them because we'll win with our defense, just like we did in '08.

[Witch-King]

Good Celtics defense but also good Lakers defense.  They held us to 90 points as well.

If we get by Cleveland it should be a good battle in the Finals with LA or  possibly Denver.  Unfortunately we're most likely not getting by Cleveland so its a moot point.

I wonder how the Lakers will look when you take the team we played last night and add to it the second best player in the NBA.

To be fair, the Lakers had 5 extra bodies on the floor... The refs, Sheed, and Daniels.

lols

[jr_3421]

I'm happier about our rebounding. Granted the Lakers out rebounded us by 7 but they also had 2 seven footers + a 6'10 Odom. I liked how we were aggressive on the defensive boards especially Perk.

[Who]

Kevin Garnett has been having a massive impact defensively.

That's the reason for the uptick in the Celtics' defensive play.

Even with some of issues in lateral movement.