Gino's Jungle

What the Celtics did last night that (in the end) made me excited is not necessarily what people look for, but it came as a pleasant surprise. They were hustling, getting hands in the passing lanes, getting out on the break after a defensive stop, and everything else we became accustomed to seeing from the team in years past. However, that isn't quite what I am referring to.

Instead, they did exactly what we saw throughout the previous 2 seasons. During the 07-08 season the C's typically didn't play great defense in the first quarter. They also didn't play horrible defense. What they did was get a feeling for their opponent. After 1 quarter, more times than not, the Celtics opponents were on pace for 100+ points. I know that because I always look for that after the first period is complete; I compare it to see how well the green played defense.

This brings us to last nights game against the Heat. In the first quarter the Heat scored... 29 points, or on pace for 116. Now don't get me wrong, I completely understand that "being on pace" after the 1st quarter is a poor measurement. But it does at the very least gives us an idea for how they played in that quarter, and if they WERE to play at that pace how the game would finish up.

Well.. In the 2nd quarter the C's held the Heat to only 15 points. This defensive effort was overshadowed by the fact that the home team couldn't put in any baskets themselves. Then after a sloppy start to the third, they buckled down after Miami grabbed a 14 point lead, and carried that with them into the 4th. As we have SEEN BEFORE, the Celtics didn't give a single inch in the 4th quarter and used that defense to confuse and drive the Heat crazy to a point where they only scored 10 fourth quarter points. The average points per quarter they gave up for the final 3 periods was 15.7. Outstanding..

Basically what I am saying is when the Celtics defense is at its best is when it reacts and changes its defense after getting a feel for how the opponent is going to play. This is what veteran players and a great defensive coach in Tom Thibodeau can do. They evolve, change, and insert new ideas. As an example: Tony Allen coming in for Ray last night... Wade couldn't do a thing with Tony Allen guarding him. For this exact reason (with a full group of guys unlike last year) it will be very difficult for any team to beat the Celtics in a 7 game series.

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