Celtic Meltdown

Did my going for the Jugular message backfire on the Celtics? They could not have played a worse game, nor could they have personified the complete opposite of what was needed any better. The Celtics were out rebounded 45-30 and outscored 124-95. The worst home playoff loss in Celtic post season history and was topped by the worst defense I've seen since the inception of the new Big Three. Now you've given Lebron and his teammates new life not only for Sunday's game, but for the series. If the Celtics do not win on Sunday they have a zero percent chance of advancing to the Conference Finals.

Lebron set the tone in the blowout win with twenty one points in the first quarter and his teammates joined him in the onslaught. The Celtics closest deficit in the second half was twenty and they did not outscore the Cavs in ANY one of the game's four quarters. It seemed that only Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett knew it was the most important game of the season thus far. Paul Pierce continued his disappearance act (4-15 shooting) and Ray Allen had seven points as he only took ONE THREE POINT SHOT. How does the greatest shooter in NBA history assert himself with one three pointer taken? What is going on with Paul Pierce? Is he injured? just in a major funk? Game 4 will tell more.

The only bright spot of the game was that Nate Robinson was actually allowed to play and looked aggressive, but was 3-10 from the floor. He did hit 2/4 of his threes, 3/4 from the line and had eleven points in thirteen minutes. Yes this is a low percentage, but to put up 10 shots in 13 minutes is the type of "attack mode" they want to have Nate in. WHY DID THE CELTICS TRADE EDDIE HOUSE for Nate Robinson to be an overpaid cheerleader on the sidelines? 

If House were still here he would be playing in this series. He was a contributor in the postseason last year and the championship effort two seasons ago. Robinson was the supposed "upgrade" of Eddie House, but has been kept off the court. I agree he is an upgrade in terms of overall talent being able to attack the basket and shoot threes, but if he does not play than its a downgrade obviously. The only major complaint I have about Robinson's performance is that on certain break away plays he was trying to lay the ball in and missed. YOU'RE A THREE TIME SLAM DUNK CHAMPION AND YOU'RE MISSING OPEN LAYUPS? He was aggressive shooting the ball and trying his best on defense, but he must attack the basket and use that jumping ability he has showcased throughout his carreer (espececially when leaping over Dwight Howard in the 08' dunk contest).  

Perhaps being angry about this makes no sense if Nate won't even be playing (unless its a blowout). Doc Rivers will never read this blog nor will he give Nate Robinson the 10-15 minutes per game that he should. When you are down by nineteen at the end of the first quarter why not put in the new Mr. Instant Offense (Robinson) like you did when WE HAD EDDIE HOUSE. Down by nineteen at the end of one bring in Rondo, Robinson, Ray Allen, Finley/Pierce and Wallace which would create all kinds of floor spacing issues for the Cavs. If you are already getting blown out at least fire up some three pointers and see if you can't change the momentum of the game before it gets out of hand. Whatever you do at least get Ray Allen more than ONE THREE ATTEMPT.

The Cavaliers responded to an uncharacteristic angry rant by head Coach Mike Brown and came to Boston and churned out a complete thrashing of the Celtics. Now Doc Rivers must chew out his own team, call them out, call himself out, and then get down to business. You can't win this series with  just only KG and Rondo showing playoff intensity. Game 4 is a desperation contest for the Celtics and they'd better show more heart and pride on the defensive end. I fully expect a strong performance from the home team on Sunday and if they don't win the series is over.