CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Celtics Sweep Bulls, Bull Shoots Back

With last night's 106-92 win, the Celtics have swept the Bulls for the first time since the 1986-87 season in spite of a very sloppy game last night. It was much closer than most expected because of 19 turnovers for the Celtics, although the Bulls failed to score off many of them. Pierce had 3 turnovers, two of which were just dribbling into traffic and losing the handle on the ball. Rondo had a very un-Rondo like game with 7 turnovers although he did also have 9 points and 10 assists. The Celtics need to solve the turnover problem when they get into the playoffs as there, the teams will take advantage of them.

A couple of notable points from the game. Big Baby showed up with a mohawk. I guess Scott Pollard has had his effect on this team even though he didn't play all that much this season. Not sure how long the Mohawk will last as Baby was taking some heat from his teammates for it. He had 2 points, 3 rebounds and a steal in only 5 minutes of play, so then again, maybe he should keep it around. For the second game in a row, Perk and KG combined for an alley oop dunk. I still say it is a special thing when your center can hit your power forward with an alley oop pass.

Leon Powe continues to make a case for more playing time with 6 points and 6 rebounds (5 on the offensive end) and a block in 16 minutes. This kid is so tough and makes the big plays and fights hard for those rebounds along with playing very good defense inside. He doesn't back down from anyone. Having that kind of toughness off the bench is invaluable. Of course, he has the advantage of guarding KG in practice, so who is he going to face in games that is tougher?

The Celtics overcame their sloppiness with the ball by putting on a 3 point shooting display. They shot 56% from beyond the arc with Pierce hitting 4-5, Ray hitting 5-7 and James Posey hitting 3-7. For the most part, I don't like being so enamored of the 3 because some nights those are not going to fall and I would rather see them take it inside where they will either score or draw the foul.

James Posey is definitely not a fan favorite in Chicago that goes back to several physical incidents when he was with Miami. He was loudly booed when he entered the game and then again every time he touched the ball. I guess he should be happy that it was just boos as in the past the crowd would chant "Posey sucks" whenever he was in the game.

The Bulls obviously plotted their revenge, however and used Benny the Bull to do it. Here is an account from the Globe: Bennie the Bull literally took a shot at Kevin Garnett and James Posey last night.

During the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 106-92 win over the Bulls at the United Center, the Chicago mascot shot T-shirts out of a T-shirt gun that hit them in the back. The incident happened when Garnett and Posey were walking to the bench during a timeout with 2:49 remaining. Garnett and Posey gave Bennie the Bull a glare, and, said Garnett, "We exchanged words."

Garnett was sent back to the bench by the referees after trying to explain what happened.

"I felt threatened," said Posey, who is considered a villain among Bulls fans for his tough fouls when he played for Miami, and was booed every time he touched the ball last night. "They already don't like me here already.

"Two T-shirts were thrown at me and KG. I don't feel safe. The T-shirts were fired out of that gun or whatever.

"I feel a little sore in one spot. I might have to get treatment.

"First, I thought it was a teammate just tapping me. But then I looked down and there were T-shirts and there were only two down there. Let's see how the league handles this."

The Chicago announcers were complaining about the Celtics pressing on defense with just 2 minutes to go. They said that if they were players they would remember something like that and get even for it. Personally, I think Doc is still working on different things for the playoffs and that may have been one of them. I didn't think it was any big deal but they sure seemed to.

Doc played the starters their regular minutes last night and didn't sit them in favor of the bench. In Detroit, Flip Saunders deactivated his starters and they won anyway. I can see Doc wanting to keep the starters playing somewhat since they don't have the luxury of playing together for 4 years and still are working some things out. But, down the stretch, I would hope to see them get a little more rest.

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