Celtics (2-1) at Sixers (1-2) ECSF Game 4 5/18

[hpantazo]

should've been a 25 point lead if not for these stupid refs.

I fully agree. We should be up by 25 if not for the FT advantage for phili and all the missed jumpers on our part. Got to come out in the 3rd and bury them.

[greensquirrel]

My ears hurt from all that whistling. FT's are the only thing keeping Philly in the game and they can hardly hit them, either.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

the espn announcers are not soo good....where is tommy.....!!!! what is this "no CSN" stuff.....the world is upside down...!

[bruinsandceltics]

Its tough to see Stiemsma out of the rotation. But I gotta agree with Doc here, Hollins is light-years better defender.

Like I said earlier. Any pluses Hollins brings to the defensive end, he brings three minuses to the offensive end.

[Change]

Its tough to see Stiemsma out of the rotation. But I gotta agree with Doc here, Hollins is light-years better defender.

Stiemer is hurt and doesn't practice, Hollins is more prepared for the playoff matchups.

I know.

[letsgoblue86]

Its tough to see Stiemsma out of the rotation. But I gotta agree with Doc here, Hollins is light-years better defender.

Stiemer is hurt and doesn't practice, Hollins is more prepared for the playoff matchups.

LOL, for some reason that sounds really funny about Steamer.  Can you imagine a Stiemsma press conference, "man, we talkin' bout practice"

[clover]

Holding Philly to 31 on the half and outscoring them by nearly 50%?

I'll take it.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

should've been a 25 point lead if not for these stupid refs.

I fully agree. We should be up by 25 if not for the FT advantage for phili and all the missed jumpers on our part. Got to come out in the 3rd and bury them.

the league trying to slow the C's down...?

[RajonRondOWNED]

At one point the 76ers had 21 free throws and 29 points LOL

[nickagneta]

How did Hollins jump over Steamer on the depth chart?

Doc seems to like Hollins' energy more.  And it's not like the switch is that unmerited too.  Steimsma looked lost more often then not during that Atlanta series.  And while he does have no offensive game besides the alley oop, his energy has been excellent.

The season showed that Steamer needed longer stretches to get into a rhythm. I honestly believe Doc has ruined his confidence again. Every-time Steamer makes a mistake he knows he will be pulled for Hollins. And we need Steamer if we have to play Indiana and Hibbert.

That's definately an interesting theory and it wouldn't surprise me if you turned out to be right.  Believe me, I along with many others was very confused by the initial lessening of his minutes in the first round.

We all know Doc takes the practices into account bigtime when deciding minutes.  So perhaps, Hollins showed him something over Greg that we just will never know because it happened in practice.

To be honest, I think Doc sees Steamer as a necessity in this series. This Philly team is a fast break athletic team and plays small. Hollins is the right guy to play in this series based on his athleticism to match Philly's

But in next series against the Pacers/Heat, I have no doubt Steamer would be more involved since both teams play more of a halfcourt style

Hollins quickness on the rotations and his infectious energy have been very good in this playoffs. Stiemsma at times has looked very bad.

[Who]

Strong finish to the half. Good job.

[nickagneta]

Is there a better defender in the league with less than 2 years experience than Avery Bradley?

Two of his 3 fouls were horrid calls on great defensive plays.

[lightspeed5]

At one point the 76ers had 21 free throws and 29 points LOL

even the refs cant beat us

[Chief]

Its tough to see Stiemsma out of the rotation. But I gotta agree with Doc here, Hollins is light-years better defender.

Stiemer is hurt and doesn't practice, Hollins is more prepared for the playoff matchups.

Call me silly but I think it has more to do with this.

"On a more serious note, Garnett and Hollins were fast friends after they got to spend time together working out in Southern California during the lockout. And it might have been Hollins' intensity that the two players bonded over during pick-up games, which laid the foundation for his arrival after being waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers last week."

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4691406/kg-hollins-talk-friendship-intensity

[mqtcelticsfan]

Hard to be anything but thrilled with the first half. I'll always be okay with a 15 point lead at half.