November 10, 2007
7:30 PM EST (Comcast SportsNet)
TD Banknorth Garden (Boston, MA)
Announcers: Mike AnGormanagement, Tommy "Want to Touch the" Heinsohn and Bob "Cheap" Cousy ; Gary PoonTanguay and Donny Darko (in-studio) ; Greg "Old Saint" Dickerson (sideline reporter)
Celtics Starting Lineup: Rayden, I've Got a Rajon Rondo, Perk'd Off, Kevvy G, Da Troof
Hawks Starting Lineup: Joe "Mama" Johnson, Turn Up The Acie Law IV, Al "Dirty" Horford, Drake and Josh Smith, Starvin' Marvin Williams
Celtics fans are on top of the world right now (and why shouldn't they join Pats fans and Sox fans up there?), as our favorite club is a perfect 3-0 while all of our wildest expectations appear to be coming true ...
Meanwhile, this young Hawks team in town tonight has been playing the role of "giant killers" early in the season, knocking off (supposed) powerhouse clubs like Dallas and Phoenix ... Will Boston be the next target on their hit list?
FIRST QUARTER
It's Perkins versus Smith for the opening tip-off, as Josh slaps the ball so hard that he sends it all the way to the opposite end of the court out of bounds; that makes it Boston possession, and Pierce loses Marvin off the dribble before knocking down the pullup jumper to open the night's scoring (2-0 11:45).
Horford then misses a fallaway jumper over Perk, but Law comes away with the offensive board and gets the ball to Johnson, who passes back inside to Horford for the layup attempt; however, Perkins blocks the shot from behind and KG comes away with the loose ball. He gets it to Rondo, who dribbles upcourt before passing back to Kendrick, and the big man tries to lob a pass inside to Garnett. Unfortunately, the pass is a bit low and Horford comes away with a steal. He sends it back the other way to Smith, who drives down the lane as Perk comes over to cover him, but that leaves Johnson wide open in the corner for the 15-footer (2-all 10:50).
At the other end, KG is double-teamed and tries to make a crosscourt pass to Pierce, but it goes off his fingertips and out of bounds; Atlanta regains possession, and Johnson works the baseline before kicking it out to Smith for the jumper (2-4 10:07).
KG answers with a layup over Horford off the nice pass from Rajon, then Smith tries for the pullup "jay" over Perkins and misses. Kevin grabs the rebound and gets the ball to Rondo for the fastbreak, who then passes back to KG and he pulls up from just inside the three-point line and buries the jumper (6-4 9:25).
Smith then misses another shot, and Garnett corrals another rebound; again he gives it to Rajon, as our young point guard dribbles coast to coast and tries to take it in over Law for the layup, but Smith comes in for the monster rejection (ball went all the way back to halfcourt); KG recovers and finds Pierce, but he's immediately double-teamed and is forced to try and get the ball back to Garnett. However, Law picks off the pass to start the Hawk's fast break, and he finishes with a nice bounce pass to Marvin for the one-hand slam (6-all 8:40); impressive.
Ray hits a three-pointer to put Boston back ahead, then Smith tries to make the spin move around Perkins but loses control as the ball rolls out of bounds; the Celts regain possession, but Rondo misses a layup attempt and Horford comes away with the loose rebound. He gets the ball up ahead to Smith, who passes inside to Marvin for the layup plus he's fouled by Allen (9-8 7:39); that gives Williams a chance to tie the score from the free throw line, but he misses the foul shot and KG snares the rebound (his fifth already!).
He passes up ahead to Rondo, who loses Law off the pick from Pierce; trying to find a way to the basket now that he's covered by the slower Horford, Rajon inside passes back to KG (now covered by the point guard Law off the switch!). Sensing an easy basket, Kevin tries to score over the little guy but misses the shot and Smith pulls down the rebound; he quickly gets the ball upcourt to Marvin, but he misses a pullup jumper and Perkins comes away with the carom.
Now we're headed back the other way, as Rondo gets the ball to Pierce, who executes a behind-the-back dribble to elude Marvin and goes all the way in for a layup (11-8 6:52).
Johnson then misses the outside shot and KG controls another rebound, while at the other end Ray is double-teamed so he makes the nice pass inside to Garnett for the two-hand jam (13-8 6:21).
Marvin scores on the layup (he has six of Atlanta's 10 points), then Johnson strips Perk and Smith recovers the loose ball; he passes up ahead to a hustling Johnson, as he fakes taking it at KG for the layup attempt, but instead lays it down to Horford who finishes with a strong dunk (13-12 5:33).
Gorman notes that the crowd has been quieted by the Hawks' quick start (it's so quiet you can easily hear Glenn Rivers M.D. yelling at Perk to "run the floor"), as KG throws the upfake to get Horford in the air and then absorbs the contact to draw a foul call; that puts Garnett at the line, where he makes one-of-two free throws (14-12 5:10).
Josh Childress of the Corn comes in at this point to replace Marvin, while Law makes a nice pass inside to Horford for the layup over KG to tie the score at 14 apiece with five minutes left in the quarter. However, the C's answer quickly, as Pierce lobs a pass inside to Kevin, then (losing Johnson and cutting down the lane) he gets the ball back and finishes with a layup (16-14 4:42).
Rondo then gets a hand on a pass by Law (intended for Childress) and KG comes away with the loose ball; he gets it up ahead to Pierce, who tries to pass inside to Perkins, but Johnson picks it off for the steal (Boston's fifth turnover). Joe brings it upcourt himself before getting the ball to Smith, and he finds Horford under the basket for the layup (16-all 4:01); the Celts are shooting an impressive 70 percent from the field (7-10 FG) but those turnovers are keeping the Hawks in this game.
A basket by Garnett (9 PTS, 6 REB) puts Boston back ahead, but then Horford is left all alone and he willingly obliges with a jumpshot (18-all 2:49). Pierce tries to answer with a fallaway jumper over Johnson but comes up short; however, Perk grabs the offensive board and passes out to Garnett, who almost loses the ball (C's are pretty sloppy thus far) but is able to recover and hits the 12-foot shot with Horford all over him (20-18 2:07).
At the other end, Horford is fouled by Ray (his second) with 1:46 on the clock, so Allan Tony comes into the game to replace him ... Doc takes the opportunity for a couple other substitutions, as Hugh Laurie and The Scals of Justice replace Rondo and Perk respectively, while Al heads to the line and makes one-of-two foul shots to get Atlanta within one. Garnett is then double-teamed underneath the basket, but doesn't sweat it as Number Five throws in the one-handed hook over Horford (22-19 1:28); Kevin now has 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting!
Tyronn Lue-Saurus Rex then misses a pullup jumper, but Horford grabs the offensive rebound and passes out to Smith. Josh proceeds to blow by Scals and tries to finish with the two-hand slam, but he flubs it (!) and KG winds up with another board (his seventh). He passes upcourt to House, who gets the ball inside to Scalabrine and he tries to return the favor against Smith (snicker) but instead is called for the offensive foul for pushing off Josh.
The Hawks regain possession, however Childress throws up a wild shot that careens off the backboard and Garnett collects yet another rebound (Gorman: "He's gonna have a double-double in the first quarter if he doesn't watch it!"). He gets the ball to Pierce, who swings it around to Tony and he (in turn) gives it right back to Paul, as he drives past Marvin and scores on the layup (24-19 :18.6).
Smith misses a three-point attempt in the closing moments, as the Celts remain ahead by five (24-19) at the end of one.
SECOND QUARTER
Tony fouls Smith to open the second quarter, but he misses both free throws and KG grabs yet another board (he has nine of Boston's 13 rebounds); he gives the ball to House who brings it upcourt, then passes it back to Garnett as he's covered by SheldonBenjamin Williams.
Not fazed in the slightest, Kevin just blows right past him and finishes with the amazing one-hand dunk (that sent Lue scurrying for cover), but the refs waive off the basket as they say Garnett hooked Shelden with the arm so it's an offensive foul (ludicrous).
Neither Kevin nor Doc are happy with the call, as Atlanta regains possession, but Marvin can't control the pass from Childress; Tony picks up the loose ball and takes it coast to coast for the layup attempt, but Smith appears for another monster rejection (this guy can jump). Luckily, KG is able to recover and passes back to House to reset the offense. Eddie then passes back to Garnett and GOOD LORD the refs call him for another offensive foul!
I have no idea where that call came from, as Sheldon was reaching over KG's back trying to steal the ball, and somehow Garnett did something wrong ... Seriously, WTF? Anyway, that's Garnett's second foul, so Perk is back in the game while our announcers have the following exchange:
Cousy: I don't think I've ever seen that happen, officials calling two cheap offensive fouls [on a superstar] back to back ...When play resumes, Perk blocks a layup attempt by Smith, but the refs then call House for the foul trying to take the loose ball away from Childress (oh come ON). Tommy proclaims that call "weak", as Marvin is able to elude House (Eddie's probably afraid of being called for another phantom foul) and goes all the way in for a layup (24-21 10:37).
Heinsohn: Nothing ... surprises me. NOW.
Cousy: [laughs] And that doesn't surprise me!
At the other end, Marvin is whistled for a foul trying to defend Pierce, which draws a sarcastic round of applause from the crowd (Heinsohn: "Now it's gonna become a travesty, they're gonna be calling anything now, and this is ridiculous!"). Pierce then misses a fallaway "jay" over Johnson, and Lue comes away with the loose rebound; he brings it upcourt, then finds Joe spotting up in the corner and he buries the trey to again tie the score (24-all 10:12).
I'm getting a little nervous now, as Pierce miss a layup attempt (!) and Sheldon grabs the rebound; he finds Lue who taks it back the other way, then passes to Johnson who tries for the pullup jumper with Tony in his face. The ball bounces around the rim a couple times before rolling out (whew!) and Perk pulls down the board; he throws it up ahead to Tony, who wants to get the ball to House, but throws a lazy pass that Johnson easily picks off and Joe ends up getting tripped up by T-Allen trying to dribble back the other way (ugly stuff here).
During the stoppage of play, Ray comes back into the game to replace Paul with 9:31 on the clock. Meanwhile, it's still Atlanta ball, but Johnson misses the shot and Scals comes away with the rebound. He gives it to House, who pushes it up the floor before finding Ray in the corner; he immediately makes himself useful by slicing between two defenders and finishing with the easy layup (26-24 9:11); Boston is now shooting 12-for-20 from the field, and Gorman notes that the "Not Big Three" have combined to take 17 of those 20 field-goal attempts tonight. Hmmm ...
A basket by Childress (the Hawks are shooting 5-for-8 from the floor in the quarter) puts the dirty birds ahead by one with 7:25 remaining in the half. At the other end, Ray avoids Johnson and knocks down a pullup jumper (32-31 7:07); the Celts are shooting just 33 percent (2-6 FG) in the quarter, with Allen scoring both of those baskets.
Shelden is then called for the offensive foul as he knocks down Ray (he's doing it for us on the defensive end as well!); Boston regains possession, as Pierce comes back into the game to replace Tony, and Ray passes to Paul who quickly swings the ball around to an open House for the three-pointer (35-31 6:31).
At the other end, House fouls Lue at the 6:16 mark and KG is back in to replace Scals during the stoppage of play; meanwhile, Lue heads to the line and makes both free throws to get the Hawks back within two. Ray then drives past Childress and takes it in for the layup but misses the shot; however, he gets his own rebound (Boston is outrebounding Atlanta 17 to 8) and goes right back up for the layup (37-33 5:57).
Lue then misses an outside shot, and Perk gets himself a rebound. He gets the ball upcourt to House, who passes inside to KG and he gives Horford a couple of upfakes before knocking down the jumper (39-33 5:25).
Smith then has his layup attempt blocked by Garnett (you can tell he was itching to get back into the game), and House picks up the loose ball; he takes it the other way and finds Pierce, who tries to make the spin move around Johnson, but Joe strips him from behind and now we're headed back to Atlanta's end of the floor. Johnson takes it all the way in for the layup attempt, which misses, but Smith grabs the offensive board; Josh tries to go back up, but Perk just stuffs him big time (yeah!) and House recovers the loose ball. Eddie takes it coast to coast before passing to Pierce all alone in the paint for the basket (41-33 4:51).
Now the team looks energized, as the Hawks call a 20-second timeout; when play resumes, Johnson throws a pass to absolutely no one for the 10th Atlanta turnover (I think he saw Snap Into a Salim-Jim Stoudamire coming off the bench and threw it to him standing on the sidelines!).
Boston regains possession as the crowd is absolutely deafening now, but House tries to lob the pass inside to KG and it's too high (even for Garnett to reach); the ball goes out of bounds for the Celtics' sixth turnover, and Smith tries to quickly take it to the basket with both Garnett and Perkins blocking his path (not a wise move). His shot misses, and Horford grabs the offensive board, but Kevin swallows up his putback attempt and tries to throw the outlet pass to House. Unfortunately, it's behind him and goes out of bounds for yet another turnover.
The noise level in this building must have the Celts rattled or something, as Atlanta has been handed another chance to get closer; Salim throws up a three-point attempt that misses badly, but the refs say that Ray got him with the body after he released the shot. Bleh, that's Ray's third foul and it puts Stoudamire at the line for three free throw attempts; Rondo comes in to replace Allen as Salim hits all three of them (41-36 3:43).
However, Rondo makes a nice pass to House for the three-pointer to negate those free throws, then Johnson tries to drive past Pierce but he absorbs the contact and draws the offensive foul call! That gives the Celts back possession, as Garnett misses the turnaround "jay" over Horford, but Perk comes away with the offensive board and kicks it out to a wide-open Pierce for another trey (47-36 2:54) to give Boston their first double-digit lead!
Johnson hits a three-pointer of his own to quiet the crowd somewhat, but at the other end Smith is called for a foul against Pierce which he doesn't appreciate ... In fact, Josh is so upset that he draws a technical to boot (this young bunch is starting to unravel); House can't hit the free throw, but Paul still gets a turn at the line and makes both of his attempts (49-39 2:23); Paul now has 15 points (6-10 FG).
Celtics look to be back in control, as Pierce scores two more baskets (one a goaltending call on Horford) to up his game-leading point total to 19, and the C's enter halftime with a 14-point advantage (55-41) ... However, it it worth noting that our offensive output has been basically limited to just four guys:
Pierce: 19 PTSI know the players are getting sick of the "not enough depth" argument, but come on ... that has to be at least a little disconcerting, right?
Garnett: 15 PTS, 12 REB
Ray: 9 PTS (4-6 FG)
House: 8 PTS, 4 AST
THIRD QUARTER
To start off the second half, KG gets a hand on the bad pass by Johnson, and Rondo comes away with the loose ball; he takes it upcourt and tries to pass to Pierce, but the ball goes right off Paul's head (ouch) and Law recovers. We head back the other way, as Acie passes to Smith and he goes for the spin move with Rondo covering him, but Rajon pokes the ball out of his hands and it ends up bouncing off of Perk's head (!) and right to Rondo as the Celts regain possession.
Rajon then passes to Pierce (carefully this time), who gets it inside to KG with a chance to take it in over Horford, but instead tries to force a pass to Perkins and Law comes up with the steal. He brings it upcourt, then finds Horford who misses the outside shot and Garnett comes away with another rebound. He gives the ball to Rondo, who takes it back the other way and tries to set up the offense, but it's all for naught as Perk is called for the offensive foul trying to set up position against Smith in the paint.
Some sloppy play to start the quarter, as Smith commits an offensive foul of his own setting the pick on Pierce (both teams have combined for six turnovers in less than two minutes). Boston regains possession, as Pierce misses the layup attempt but Perk comes away with the offensive board and is fouled by Smith at the 10:02 mark; he ends up missing both free throws (!) and Horford grabs the rebound. However, Garnett is able to reach in and just rips the ball out of his hands and scores on the layup (57-41 10:00); that was impressive.
A three-pointer by Johnson with nine minutes on the clock gets Atlanta within thirteen, but Rondo answers with the outside jumper (see, he CAN hit those shots) to show who's in control (62-47 8:49).
Horford then misses the little hook shot over Perk, and KG snags the rebound. He gets the ball to Rondo, who dribbles upcourt before passing back to Kevin in the paint covered by Horford; Rajon then cuts to the basket, so Garnett gives it right back to him for the layup (64-47 8:21).
Smith scores with the floater in the lane (he's now 2-for-10 from the field), while at the other end Ray misses the three-point attempt and Josh grabs the rebound; he gets it upcourt to Law, who finds Horford for the little stepback jumper over Perk (64-51 7:13).
It's a twelve-point Celtics lead when Scals comes in to replace Perkins with 3:45 remaining in the quarter; meanwhile, KG makes a strong move on Horford and goes for the fallaway jumper but the refs call him for the travelling violation (Gorman: "This game would dismiss the rumor that superstars get all the calls"). Atlanta regains possession, as Garnett almost picks off the pass by Childress but Johnson recovers and gets the ball to Horford in the paint. Rondo then slaps his arm going for the steal, so Al gets a trip to the line and makes both of his free throws (67-57 3:09).
More substituions coming, as Tony comes into the game for Pierce, while Ray tries to pass inside to Garnett but Johnson winds up with the steal (that's Boston's fifth turnover of the quarter, 17th for the game) and quickly takes it upcourt for the fast break before finishing with the alleyoop pass to Marvin for the slam (67-59 2:44).
Boston calls a timeout as things are getting a little tight; when play resumes, House is in the game for Rondo while KG knocks down the turnaround jumper over Sheldon (69-59 2:29).
Lue then misses a shot and Garnett scores the loose board (his 18th rebound, and for the record he's outrebounding the entire Hawks team who have 17 'bounds combined); he gets it upcourt to House, who passes to Tony and he tries the little floater over Johnson but comes up with the airball!
Sheldon grabs the rebound (so they're tied again) and gets the ball to Lue, who takes it back the other way and finds Childress; he tries to drive on Ray, but gets the ball knocked out of his hands and Tony saves it from going out of bounds to KG. He then passes upcourt to House, who tries to work his way around Lue but instead gets the ball inside to KG as the defense collapses on him, so he kicks it back out to House for the open three-pointer (72-59 1:01)!
Johnson tries to answer with a three-pointer of his own, but misses and Scals grabs the loose rebound; he then passes upcourt to House, who (in turn) gets it to Garnett underneath the basket with the point guard Lue covering him (heh). Tyronn knows he's in a losing battle, so he wraps up KG and sends him to the line for two foul shots (74-59 :38.4)
Johnson misses a jumper in the closing moments, and Marvin clearly tips it in while the ball's in the cylinder, but the refs swallow their whistles and don't make the call (which flabbergasts the announcers). Therefore, we enter the final stanza with Boston leading 74 to 61.
FOURTH QUARTER
The lead is back up to fifteen with a basket by Garnett at the 9:35 mark of fourth quarter, then Childress throws up a shot that barely hits rim, and Pierce comes away with rebound; we head back the other way, and Ray knocks down the pullup jumper over Marvin (83-66 8:58).
Smith then scores, while at the other end House passes inside to KG who tries to fight his way through a double-team; finding no luck there, he kicks it back out to Eddie, who swings the ball around to Scals, and he finds Ray in the corner. Williams has him covered, so he passes to Pierce, who drives to the basket before throwing it out to House behind the three-point line and he buries it (86-68 8:09); great ball movement, as every member of the Celts got their hands on the rock during that sequence. That's also 17 points for House (4-5 3PTers).
Johnson and KG trade baskets, then Smith misses the three-point attempt (he's had a rough night) and Scals tips the loose rebound over to House; he brings the ball upcourt, then passes to Garnett who lobs the pass inside to Pierce who can't score on the layup attempt over Johnson. Childress grabs the rebound and tries to take it all the way in himself for a layup attempt of his own, but Garnett is right there for the block! Horford collects the loose ball and tries to score, but fails; KG battles two Hawks for the loose rebound and falls out of bounds with the ball. Sorry Kevin, I see you're trying the old trick of calling timeout while in midair, but the refs don't allow that anymore (appreciate the effort, though).
Atlanta retains possession, as Johnson clanks the outside shot, but Childress is able to tip in the miss (88-72 6:25).
At the other end, Ray is fouled by Marvin making a move to the basket, so he heads to the line with 6:06 left to play; he makes the first free throw, but misses the second (his first miss of the season) and Childress grabs the rebound. He takes it upcourt himself, then passes inside to Horford who tries to back down KG but Kevin fouls him while going up for the shot, causing Al to (inadvertently) throw back his right hand which catches Scalabrine right in the face.
Ouch, that was ugly, as Scals is having trouble getting up off the floor. The trainers come out to look him over, and the crowd starts another "Scal-a-BREE-nee!" chant (that's nice of them) ... He's finally able to sit up - although blood starts pouring out of his nose as soon as he's upright - and can stand under his own power, slowly making his way to the locker room.
When play resumes with 5:51 left in the game, Rondo comes back in to replace Scalabrine (Doc is going small) as Horford steps to the line and makes one-of-two foul shots to get Atlanta within sixteen. KG then misses the turnaround "jay" over Al and Salim grabs the rebound; he makes the bounce pass to Horford who pulls up at the free throw line for the jumper, but comes up empty. Garnett has himself another rebound, and gets the ball to Rondo, who passes to Pierce open behind the three-point line ... but he shuffles his feet and is called for travelling (Boston's 18th turnover). Atlanta regains possession, and Law knocks down the pullup jumper over House (89-75 4:54).
Undaunted, Rondo makes a nice bounce pass around Horford that finds KG, and he finishes with the two-hand slam (91-75 4:34).
Marvin then tries to barrel his way down the lane and knocks down Pierce for the offensive foul; Boston regains possession, as Ray just loses Childress off the dribble and takes it in for the easy layup (93-75 4:10).
I think we're out of panic mode now, as Glen "Macrosomia" Davis comes into the game with 3:53 left to replace KG (who gets a well-deserved standing ovation); meanwhile, House hits a deep jumper (thought it was another three-pointer for a second) to get the crowd pumped up further. Law then throws a pass over the head of Marvin and out of bounds; Doc takes the opportunity to sub in Tony for Pierce with 3:33 to go. It's Celtics ball, and House lobs a pass inside to Davis, whereby Law is forced to foul him and "Big Baby" goes to the line where he makes one-of-two free throws (96-75 3:21).
Ray is the last of the "Not Big Three" to take a seat during those free throws, as Just Pruitt gets some playing time ... That's pretty much my cue to exit as well, as the Celts win another laugher, 106 to 83.
FINAL SCORE: Boston 106, Atlanta 83
GAME RATING:
16
SLAM DUNK
BOSTON TOP PERFORMERS:
- Garnett: 38 MIN, 27 PTS (12-16 FG), 19 REB, 6 AST, 6 TO, 3 BLK
- Pierce: 37 MIN, 23 PTS (8-15 FG), 4 AST
- House: 26 MIN, 19 PTS (7-10 FG, 4-5 3PTers), 5 AST
- R. Allen: 35 MIN, 14 PTS (6-9 FG), 3 AST
- J. Johnson: 37 MIN, 16 PTS (6-14 FG), 5 AST, 5 STL
- Horford: 33 MIN, 16 PTS (5-12 FG), 7 REB
- M. Williams: 27 MIN, 14 PTS (6-9 FG)
POST-GAME NOTES:
- Boston finished the night shooting 61 percent from the field (41-67 FG), while limiting Atlanta to just 43 percent (30-70 FG).
- It's still early, but the Celts lead the league in shooting (52.1 percent prior to tonight) and also hold opponents to 39.9 percent shooting (best in the NBA)!
- This is the first time the Celtics have started a season at 4-0 since the 1987-88 iteration (who finished the year with a record of 57-25, which I would be quite comfortable with) ...
- Eddie House was tonight's Tommy Award winner.
- Dating back to last season, the Hawks have now lost 17 straight road games.
- Red Sox manager Terry Francona was in attendance tonight.
- Even though Scalabrine went to the locker room under his own power, he left the arena on a stretcher, as he suffered a mild concussion and was taken into New England Baptist Hospital for observation. Obviously, he won't be making the trip tomorrow to New Jersey ...
- Speaking of injuries, Parker Posey did not play tonight (back spasms) and almost certainly will not be in the lineup tomorrow against the Nets.
- And speaking of the next game, Doc Rivers will not be available to coach against the Nets, as he heads back home for Chicago to be with his family to attend the memorial service for his late father.
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