We won at the Oracle! The Celtics had an impresive second half (fourth quarter, really) and trumped the Warriors 115-93 for their first win in the Bay Area since 2003. NBA TV's Game Time hooked me up with some solid highlights, as a game that was tied 60-60 at the half saw the Green Army turn on the defense, holding GSW to just 18 in the third and 15 in the fourth. Despite being handed 28 free throws to the Celtics' 11, Steph Curry and company were just no match for the birthday boy and his crew.
The C's shot 56% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc, with KG's 24 and 12 leading the way. He was one of three C's to finish with a double double, as Glen Davis nabbed 12 and 10, and Rondo 19 and 15 (assists). Popeye Pierce was just flat out on fire in the game as well, shooting 70% overall, and racing to a dunk after a pass from Rondo that showed he's still got the legs and the strength. Delonte West returned for the game, and finished 0 for 6 overall in 12 minutes. Maybe I shouldn't have been so excited about the C's getting Mr. Black History Month back. In even worse news, Kendrick Perkins tweaked his knee and didn't return after the injury. This is a wait-and-see kind of thing, but with Shaq and Jermaine both still down for the count, losing Perk again would be pretty flat out awful.
We've reached the final game before the NBA trade deadline, and the Celtics are 41-14, holding a 12.5 game lead over 'Melo and the Knicks in the division. Overall in the conference, we are percentage points ahead of the "Credence Heat-water Revival" (.008% to be exact), and 2.5 games up on the Bulls (evidently undeserving of a band nickname). So, keeping in mind the position we find ourselves in with 27 games to go, what do we think the C's will do come trade dealine time? Stand pat and roll with what we've got, or go after a role player who can have a big (that should have read "big") impact in the playoffs?
Knowing Danny Ainge, and based on the daily rumors floating around Celtics Nation, I'd have to go with option two. Just a tiny little tweak could have a big impact on this team come playoff time. No, I'm not worried about any team in the East. I really think we can take care of any of them in a series, with the guys we have now. But when it comes NBA Finals time (man, I'm a spoiled basketball fan), we'll be needing that extra something to put us over the top against the best from the West. Who will it be?
If you've been keeping one eye on the LSF Instant Suffering Feed, you've seen name after name after name floating around, but I really think there is one guy on the list who fits what the Celtics are looking for. That guy, is Richard Hamilton.
Think about it! He's old, he hates his current team, he's a defense first shooting guard, and he has a great smile. This season he's averaging 13.3, and due to a little day-to-day groin issue, he's only played 35 games this year. The best part of his season is still ahead of him. Word from the media is that Rip has even offered to return some of his money to Detroit to help him get traded. You have to believe that he'd be interested in heading out to Massachusetts to get involved in something big. Thinking of him and Ray Allen doing their thing in a playoff series makes me all warm inside.
I guess we'll see what happens by tomorrow. Tomorrow night, after all the dust has settled, we get a new-look Nuggets squad in the Mile High City. It's the TNT night cap, and it should be a fun one.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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