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BOSTON -- As Doc Rivers said: "They were on fire. They made some tough shots too, they really did. But to shoot 71 per cent [from three]? Hell, half the guys in our league couldn't shoot 15-of-21 in a gym by themsevles behind the three. And they did it with other people on the floor."
Hey, but the wins all count right?
One game, some things, v1.30
1. Saw KG pulling it the Bank North Centre the same time we were getting out of our cab – about two-and-a-half hours before game time. According to Basketball-reference.com, Garnett has earned $186-million in 12 NBA seasons before this one (and he’s projected to earn another $101-million or so before this contract is up in 2012), so doubtless he’s got his pick of rides, but the Big Ticket was rolling in a white Denali-type deal. Tinted windows and some nice rims, to be sure – but in relative terms a pretty modest vehicle. Or maybe that was just his “it’s only the Torontos” car.
2. Andrea Bargnani is the second coming of Dirk and Pau put together. His spot on all-NBA teams for the next decade is assured. I take it all back. But seriously: it’s amazing what a couple of drained jumpers can do for a guy. I certainly didn’t see this coming. I was watching him pretty closely in the pre-game warm-up and there was little indication of a big game in the offing. He wasn’t knocking down shot after shot; he wasn’t skipping around like a guy just raring to go. I was chatting with Maurizio Gherardini for a while as we were watching and he wasn’t suggesting that his funk (26 per cent shooting in his previous eight games, including 2-of-14 from three; this following his dreadful December, when he shot just 29 per cent from the floor) was on the verge of ending. But then he hits a little one dribble jumper; knocks down a three and gets fouled going to the basket and all of a sudden he’s got his mojo on. He looked calm; didn’t rush and made decisions as the play unfolded for a change, which is why he was able to count seven assists: when the Celtics started running at him in the second half he simply moved the ball to the next open guy. As Bosh said now all he’s got to do is do it again.
3. Posey – who was out last night with a sprained finger -- and House are the Celtics two most active bench talkers. When Bargnani picked up that touch foul on Garnett in the first quarter Posey was saying “He don’t want to play; he don’t want to play.” And it was clear the game plan was to pick up some early fouls on Bargnani early. House kept saying to Garnett: “Work him out; Work him out.” But to his credit Bargnani was able to avoid picking up that early second foul that has helped prevent him from finding a rhythm so often this season.
4. Here some unsolicited advice for Sam: Juan Dixon has been struggling mightily as the Raptors backup point guard. The hope was that after his 18-point outburst against Philadelphia (playing at the two-guard spot) on Saturday and a pair of good practices he might play with a little more confidence and effectiveness at a position that his – size aside – he’s just not suited for. But there he was coming off the bench cold in the second quarter and throwing a pass into the first row on his first touch. So why not bring the lifetime two guard in a few minutes early to play some minutes alongside Calderon to let him get his sweat on; maybe look for his own shot here and there? Then, when he’s got some flow going, sit Calderon down and have a better chance of getting quality minutes out of a warm and confident Dixon? It might cost Mitchell minutes from Parker or Kapono or Delfino; but if the reward is eight or 10 more effective minutes from Dixon at the point in relief of Calderon it’s worth a try at least; Dixon was a team-worst -13 last night.
5. No doubt it was a pretty cool win – and a very fun game to watch – but it’s worth keeping in mind that Delfino was a perfect five-of-five from three in the second half alone; Parker was 4-of-6; Calderon was 3-of-4, and Bargnani awoke from the dead. That’s not going to happen every night. But giving up 16 offensive rebounds (10 in the fourth quarter!!!)? That happens too often. Allowing a proven three-point shooter (Eddie House) two wide open looks on Boston’s last two possessions? Giving up offensive rebounds on both those looks? That happens too often as well. The Raptors should enjoy this one, but shouldn’t rest too easily.
