CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Celtics Close Out Season with 91-89 Loss

by FLCeltsFan 10:26 PM

The Celtics scrapped and played hard and stayed with the Pistons, who sat Billups, Hamilton, and Webber, from start to finish. Along with all the other players the Celtics had on the bench with injuries, Delonte West sat with pulled ligaments in his left hand. So, even in the last game of the season we were still dealing with injuries. The Celtics tied the game at 89 on two clutch free throws by Rajon Rondo with just over 3 seconds left. But as happened so many times this season, we couldn't get a stop when we needed one and Flip Murray hit a jumper at the buzzer.

It is hard not go get excited about this group of young players. Rondo has gotten better and better as the year has worn on. Tonight he had 19 points, including 2 clutch free throws to tie the game at 89, along with 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 6 steals. This kid is just so exciting! Telfair finished with 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. I get the feeling that he is trying so hard to prove himself that he just pushes things too much and ends up making mistakes because of it. Allan Ray started at shooting guard in place of Delonte and finished with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists. Donny Marshall said in the post game show that he thought Ray was playing for a job with another team next season.

Al once again proved that he is one of the best young bigs in the NBA. He finished with a double double, putting him 3rd on the all time list for double doubles per season. He finished with 17 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. He showed a very nice give and go game in the low post with both Rondo and Gomes that will be a very effective weapon next season. Perk had another good game finishing with 4 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

Gomes had a solid game with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. Green once again struggled shooting only 2-10 from the field for 5 points to go with 2 rebounds and 1 assist. He seems to have lost confidence and hesitates before he shoots. He is best when he shoots off the catch or stops and pops without putting so much though into it. He seems as though he has regressed over the last part of the season and I hope he can regain his confidence over the off season and come back next year with a leap like Al made this season.

With all the tragedy and injuries we have had this season, it is good that it is over. But we have much to look forward to next season. Ratliff says he is coming back and feels he can still help the team. Wally and Pierce should be healthy next season. Every player should come back better. We will have a top draft pick or another veteran who will be able to help the team. As we draw the curtains on this season, we can look forward to next season with great anticipation of good things to come. And so we end the 2006-2007 season and we begin the most important off season in the past 20 years.

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