Huge Bummer -- Massive Choke

[GreenFaith1819]

C'mon Man.....BOS had great effort, today. It'd be different if they were loafing around out there.

But they weren't.

If BOS plays like this for next few weeks, they will win the majority of their games, plain and simple.

And note to Danny Ainge: IF YOU TRADE RAJON RONDO, IT'D BETTER BE FOR A TOP 5 PLAYER.

Saw Kobe cheating off of Rondo LESS TODAY...he's starting to respect his jumper.

No massive choke, to me - totally disagree.

Totally.

[OsirusCeltics]

Rondo's lack of a jumpshot was a big part of that final play. With Rondo on the floor, Lakers were able to double off on either Ray or Pierce to defend the 3 point shot very well

[vinnie]

Being up 5 points with less than 2 minutes to play and losing by 3 points, combined with not scoring in the last 2 minutes is my definition of a choke. They put themselves in position to win the game, then handed it to the Lakers. They played great today except for most of the first quarter and the last two minutes. It is a shame they lost.

[CelticSooner]

Why the lack of bench play?  Seemed like Stiesma and Pietrus were the only guys to get any minutes.  Our starters could have used a bit more rest and no jjj?  He would pull one big out of rebounding area with his jumper (much like kg)

I don't blame Doc for that today. Bench for the most part wasn't getting it done. They let the Lakers build that big lead in the first half. Dooling should be sent back to Boston.

[PseudoElite]

Should've just had Rondo or Pierce charging the lane for free throws in the 2 plays before Bass missed his jumper.

We rely wayyyyyyyy too much on jumpshots, been our weakness for years now.

[CelticSooner]

Being up 5 points with less than 2 minutes to play and losing by 3 points, combined with not scoring in the last 2 minutes is my definition of a choke. They put themselves in position to win the game, then handed it to the Lakers. They played great today except for most of the first quarter and the last two minutes. It is a shame they lost.

The game was close the entire second half. This wasn't a choke, more of showing of weakness.

[SHAQATTACK]

Great effort by our team.  , in a tuff situation in LA.  Sure it would have been cool to win. But, I'm just thankful the guys see they can compete with some many bigs out of the lineup.

DANNY get us some  7' footers  ASAP.

[indeedproceed]

The only sign of a choke I saw was on Bass's last shot.  He's money on that shot, and he just pulled up on it in the clutch.

Yeah Bass missed a wide open shot and the Lakers made three tough shots down the stretch. The offensive execution the two plays before Basses jumper is the only thing that bothered me.

I'd echo these thoughts, and just add that the fact that the C's couldn't manage to get an open look on the last shot also bothers me. Its something they're usually good at.

[GreenFaith1819]

Rondo's lack of a jumpshot was a big part of that final play. With Rondo on the floor, Lakers were able to double off on either Ray or Pierce to defend the 3 point shot very well

Well, I don't know...Kobe seemed to cheat off of Rondo a LOT LESS today than before.

Rondo is getting better, right before our eyes. He stepped up today, big time...at least from what I saw. It didn't result in a win, but the effort and execution was certainly there.

[Neurotic Guy]

Celts played way better than anyone had the right to expect given they had no inside presence. Yet, it is a game they should have won. 5 point lead with less than two minutes and they allow the Lakers to score the last 8 points while going scoreless. Pretty epic gag job. Sadly, I think this sets the tone for a 3-5 road trip at best.

Going to be a long rest of the season. Please, Danny, start collecting assets.

Wasn't really a choke. They missed open looks at the end, but played well against a better opponent on their court.

Also, not really a long rest of the season.  Only 20 games left.  Only 12 left after this road trip. 

I am OK with rooting for ping-pong balls and a Clippers collapse.

[2short]

Rondo's lack of a jumpshot was a big part of that final play. With Rondo on the floor, Lakers were able to double off on either Ray or Pierce to defend the 3 point shot very well

Well, I don't know...Kobe seemed to cheat off of Rondo a LOT LESS today than before.

Rondo is getting better, right before our eyes. He stepped up today, big time...at least from what I saw. It didn't result in a win, but the effort and execution was certainly there.

rondo's jumper looked really good, rondo actually was our best player on the floor take him away and things are ugly, main thing was probably artest's job on pp, 4-14 or something along those lines, yes bynum we have no answer but if a team can shut down allen or pp they can win, with bass a starter now we have no go to guy off the bench
again, pietrus should start and physically wear on a kobe then ray come in as #1 option when pp is out
for the trade rondo guys 24 pts, 10 assists, that is step 1 to building

[2short]

Why the lack of bench play?  Seemed like Stiesma and Pietrus were the only guys to get any minutes.  Our starters could have used a bit more rest and no jjj?  He would pull one big out of rebounding area with his jumper (much like kg)

I don't blame Doc for that today. Bench for the most part wasn't getting it done. They let the Lakers build that big lead in the first half. Dooling should be sent back to Boston.

bradley on lakers pg spells trouble, i didn't even see him in (working & watching)

[CelticG1]

A choke is when you have a 25good point lead of a game 4 home playoff game to even a series and lose. Today was not a choke job unless you classify every loss as "choking"

[greenpride32]

This team is horrible at closing out games.  I can't count how many of those 8-10 to zero runs there have been against us to end games.  Rondo had at least 2 wide open jumpers in the paint area in the final 3 minutes.  On one play he motioned like he was going to shoot and I guess thought better of it.  The other he didn't bother to look for the shot.  Earlier in the game he was taking these shots.  It's very crippling to the offense when Rondo is not aggressive either driving or shooting when the other team has an extra zone defender.  Not sure how the coaching staff felt; whether they prefer he take the open jumper or not in crunch time.

[bostonman1]

What happened today is much worse than a "choke"
Every once in awhile a team will blow a game late which is not too worrisome. 

However this Celtic's team has failed so many times late in games that it shows a much more serious issue at hand.  This wasn't a fluke play or miraculous comeback by the Lakers, it was a simple issue of the Celtics failing to execute down the stretch once again.

Having a 5 point lead with 2 minutes left and then failing to get stops or score even one point to finish the game is pitiful.  Having a team with Rondo and 3 Hall of Famers on the court should mean the Celtics are comfortable in closing out games, yet this team fails far too often.