CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Celtics Continue on Historic Run

by FLCeltsFan 11:07 PM

With tonight's 104-82 win over the Bucks, the Celtics matched last year's home win total of 12. This year's Celtics are 12-0, which matches the 1985 team's start and their 19-2 record matches that of the 1983-84 championship team. Also, this team is only 5 wins away from matching last year's total wins of 24. What a difference a KG makes.

The Bucks stayed with the Celtics for the first two quarters, and at the half were just down 46-44. The Celtics then outscored the Bucks 32-15 in the third quarter to take a 78-59 lead into the fourth quarter. That makes 16 straight games in which the Celtics outscored their opponents in the 3rd quarter.

Ray Allen didn't play in this game. He rolled his ankle slightly in the Charlotte game and tweaked it a little in the Kings game. Doc said that sitting him was mostly precautionary and that it isn't a serious injury. It could, however, explain the poor shooting as with a sore ankle, he wouldn't have the lift on his jumper. It was nice to see that even with one part of the trilogy out, the Celtics can still execute the game plan. Tony Allen started in place of Ray and is starting to get some of his explosiveness back again and played some very good defense, coming up with 4 steals and holding Michael Redd to 7 points, 17 below his average. He finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals in 33 minutes of play.

Perk returned to the starting lineup after missing the last game with his infamous toe injury. He played a solid 27 minutes and finished with 4 points, 5 rebounds (3 on the offensive end), 1 steal and 1 block. He also played some very good defense in the paint. KG came out from the start playing hard and setting the tone for the game. He finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. His intensity continues to be off the charts. At one point, he missed a layup while getting fouled and he hit himself in the head with the ball around 10 times to vent his frustration over not making the shot.

Pierce was the player of the game and Tommy Award winner. He picked up the scoring slack with Ray out and finished with 32 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist. Rondo also played an excellent game, playing great defense on Mo Williams and ratcheting up his offensive game as well, hitting from the outside as well as taking it to the hoop. He finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal.

Off the bench, House his some big shots and finished with 9 points and 3 rebounds. Posey didn't score but had 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals and played solid defense. Big Baby again played some solid minutes off the bench. He finished with 2 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in 19 minutes. Powe continues to play well when he gets the minutes. He made the most of his time with 7 points, 4 rebounds and a big block in only 8 minutes. Scal also played 8 minutes and had only 1 assist to show for his effort. Gabe Pruitt played 5 minutes in his return to the parent club from the Utah Flash and had 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assists, and 1 steal and looked very good running the point.

It has been 15 years since the Celtics last had an 8 game win streak and the Celtics have already had 2. And the most exciting thing about it is that they are doing it with defense. The Celtics came out in the second quarter playing such hustle defense that at times it looked like the Bucks were playing 5 on 8. It was incredible. The Celtics are winning in historic proportions and it sure is fun!!!

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