Early on it looked like the teams were paying tribute to the Super Bowl by taking turns of offense. They traded runs before the Celtics finally hit their stride and got a healthy lead. Then the teams traded baskets for a while until the Celtics really pulled away in the 4th quarter. A nice, solid win against a young, up and coming Grizzlies team. This is particularly gratifying considering how much trouble the team has had over the last couple of years on day games.
- I don't really expect KG to have games like this all the time, but it sure is nice to know that he's still got it in him from time to time. Oh, and he's now a 3 point shooter. That was only the next logical step for him.
- Paul Pierce keeps on doing Paul Pierce type things and I'm digging every minute of it. Seriously, how frustrating must it be to be a fan of another team and see this guy go down the lane at half speed and still get the bucket and the foul?
- Loved the extended look at JaJuan Johnson in non-garbage time play. The kid has obvious offensive talent and even better than the shooting was that one bullet pass from the high post down to Garnett for the easy slam. Great look rook.
- Solid game for Wilcox too. They both filled in nicely for Bass.
- With that said, get well soon Brandon Bass. We'll absolutely need you.
- I'd say that the offense looks pretty good with Rondo running it at full speed. 14 dimes today - and that didn't even tell the full story of the way he controlled the flow.
- Another solid game for Avery Bradley as well.
- This just in, Ray Allen can still shoot. (and Pietrus isn't too shabby himself)
Delighted to see JJ making a positive impact
I couldn’t watch the game because I don’t get NBA TV, so I just checked the box score when it was over.
10 points on 5-8 shooting and 2 blocks. Man, I really miss having him in the Old Gold and Black.
Danulas - February 5, 2012
don't forget the assist
that was a beautiful, beautiful pass
sofutomygaha - February 5, 2012
Yea - that was almost my favorite play of the game.
I like that he didn’t hesitate. Saw it. Laser’ed it.
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
bang on
JJ hesitated the first time Memphis dared him to shoot the elbow jumper. After that, he really went for it
sofutomygaha - February 5, 2012
Trey J
Very nice game.
I am starting to come around on him. I am usually a “prove it to me 1st” type, so I’ve been reluctant to get to hyped. He does have skills though.
KG's Knee - February 5, 2012
A very enjoyable game to watch on Sunday afternoon!
I loved that Doc got everybody in for some minutes and everybody did something positive.
JJ looks great. It was awesome to see him get some rotation minutes in the heart of the game. Seriously – you watch this kid move out there with such length, grace, speed and intelligence and I don’t know why you would think we shoulda kept Brooks. I agree with Tommy – I think JJ is going to be something special. And he is a ‘plus’ player on BOTH ends of the floor!
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
Agree fully with your comment:
“I think JJ is going to be something special and he is a ‘plus’ player on BOTH ends of the floor”
fordescort - February 5, 2012
I didn't think
that JJ was going to be a legit NBA player. I made these judgements based on various quick stints in garbage time, and the fact that he looked awkward and uncomfortable out there.
Clearly, I was way too quick to judge. I still think he looks kind of awkward out there, but it’s tough to deny that he at least has the potential to be a solid contributor after all.
Good for him.
KGHurtYourFeelings - February 5, 2012
yeah its all about PT and practice for the rookies
confidence is key.
jakeshuttlesworth - February 5, 2012
Solid win
Tells me this team can consistently get some quality wins. Now time for the pats to take care of business
Mooose - February 5, 2012 via mobile
Contender status...
Anymore “lets not jump the gun” comments? LOL
The green mamba - February 5, 2012 via mobile
They certainly looked good today.
clover - February 5, 2012
Johnson definitely had a nice game today
But, are we not supposed to conclude that he is going to be a good or really good player in the NBA based on one game? I am as happy as anyone about what he did today, but these really are small samples. Would he have done the same thing if he was matched up against Zach Randolph? Maybe. If he does this for 5, 6, or 7 games, and not in garbage time, then we probably have a good story to tell.
vinnie - February 5, 2012
Well, in the only two games this year where he's played 9+ minutes...
… he’s scored in double digits. He’s definitely producing when given time, which is all that you can ask.
Roy_Hobbs - February 5, 2012
this^
PLUS it isn’t just these two games. We have a lot of data on JJ. How he played in college, his raw physicals, scouting reports, etc.
Nothing is ever certain, but we have a lot of reasons to think JJ is going to be good.
mmmmm - February 5, 2012 via iPhone app
Agreed, but two games of more than 9 minutes playing time does not a career make
That is all I am trying to say. Let’s give it some time and see what develops. There have been lots of players who have been through here who were going to be stars.
vinnie - February 5, 2012
Kevin GArnett is 100% from three point range this year
Take that ray allen
AT-360 - February 5, 2012
LOL
Jeff Clark - February 5, 2012
All part of the plan to move KG to SG
for our ‘big’ lineup:
JO C
Steamer PF
Wilcox SF
KG SG
JJ PG (did ya see that laser pass into KG under the post?)
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
I wish I could have
Here’s to hoping that pass shows up on a highlight reel.
Danulas - February 5, 2012
it will
EXER123 - February 5, 2012
Not on the ESPN one
Danulas - February 5, 2012
even better
after he hit a turnaround jumper in Gasol’s face he was yapping (at the bench?) all the way back down the court – the TV cameras picked it all up – I’m no lip reader but I’m pretty sure that was not PG stuff
Jeff Clark - February 5, 2012
lol
mmmmm - February 5, 2012 via iPhone app
Sweeeeeeeet! KG 2.0?
Pietrus & Cream - February 5, 2012 via mobile
Nice win for the C’s....
KG and Pierce I think deserve to share the game ball as they both had solid games.
Wilcox also had a great game off the bench and played a key role in the win today.
Great to see JJ get his 1st serious minutes of the season and play so well both offensively from the perimeter and give the C’s a offensive presence in the paint.
His defense was pretty good also.
Celtics are on a nice roll the past couple of weeks, lets hope they can keep it up.
Celtics did there part today and got the win, lets hope the Pats do there part later today and bring home a championship !
fordescort - February 5, 2012
My thoughts:
* Marshon who? That JaJuan Johnson kid is a keeper, huh? He’s got a beautiful stroke, he’s got nice touch down low, and he’s got good instincts defensively. 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a ton of energy in 19 big minutes tonight.
* More JJ: How do we get this guy more minutes going forward? Who loses time between KG, Bass, Wilcox, and JO?
* Every rotation player tonight was in the positive in terms of plus-minus, with the Captain a +28.
* Rondo was aggressive attacking the basket early, and made some great passes, racking up 14 assists.
* Vintage KG today, adding 24 points and 9 rebounds. Oh, and a three pointer for the third straight game.
* Ray had a poor shooting day, but he did hit some timely shots, and had a nice 4-point play.
* Pietrus, man. That guy just plays like a pro.
* Finally, the Captain. 21 points, and 10-for-10 from the line. He’s only 9 points behind Larry Bird for second all-time in Celtics history.
* DO NOT BLOW THIS TEAM UP.
Roy_Hobbs - February 5, 2012
don't worry about JJJ's minutes
with the rate at which our bigs get hurt, he’ll always have minutes available
Jeff Clark - February 5, 2012
yup
we’re 1/3 of the way through the season and Wilcox, JO, and now Bass have all spent time out with injuries. KG will sit a few, too, no doubt. There will be more opportunities
sofutomygaha - February 5, 2012
Absolutely 100% agree
DO NOT BLOW UP THIS TEAM!
To answer your question about how to get Trey J more minutes, i suspect the issue will somewhat resolve itself. JO is always an injury waiting to happen. KG will need to rest as the season continues. And even when all our bigs are healthy, Wilcox is inconsitent, so if he has a bad game, just put Tery J in to see what he can do.
KG's Knee - February 5, 2012
Regarding how to get more minutes...
for JJ moving forward I think you just play him at the 4 when KG, Bass are not playing well in any given game.
I think Doc is of the mind set he must get his vets there minutes no matter, even if that means playing them when they are not playing well.
Id prefer he just sit them if they are not playing well and play JJ, though with Doc its easier said then done.
fordescort - February 5, 2012
Who loses time? Tough question!
After all, in addition to what it showed for JJ, this game was another example of how good Wilcox is at finishing near the rim.
Gotta love a game when your PF/C rotation (KG, JJ, JO, CW, GS) combines to shoot 21 of 30 for 50 points and grab 27 rebounds! That’s damn good production from the 4/5 spots. 5 blocked shots and 4 assists as well.
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
Looks like it's helped 3J to play against those other guys in practice.
KG, Bass and Wilcox are a good mix for him to have been defending against. And he doesn’t seem to have missed any opportunities.
Will we start referring now to “Boilermaker smooth”?
clover - February 5, 2012
I also liked during...
the game when JJ was on the court playing along with KG, as it is I assume a great learning experience for JJ.
Just loved shots of them together during breaks in the game where KG appeared to be giving JJ pointers and some tips, as JJ can not ask for a better teacher or mentor then KG.
fordescort - February 5, 2012
wow KG..
its official, trifectas already included in his arsenal..haha! great win in basketball, now on to football…let’s go pats!!!
greenlion - February 5, 2012
Glad to see JaJuan getting minutes and playing well!!
I’ve been saying for weeks we should give him minutes. I’m a fan of the guy already. However, I agree: Bass get well soon. In the meantime, let’s see more of JJ.
Celticsdude - February 5, 2012
Moreover
Love how everyone on that bench is playing. They’re absolutely crucial to this team.
Celticsdude - February 5, 2012
+1
fordescort - February 5, 2012
the three point shooting in the 2nd half was amazing
and all the more impressive after they were so cold in the first half. It is great to see that we have so many players who know that they are shooters and don’t clam up when they hit a cold streak. Pietrus and Allen broke Memphis’s back from the corners in the late 3rd and early 4th.
sofutomygaha - February 5, 2012
Its nice when we're hitting three, but...
I am a little concerned we are beginning to rely on them too much lately. What happens when you’re not making your threes.
There is a reason for the saying “Live by the three, die by the three”.
Although, I don’t think we’re quite in that territory yet.
KG's Knee - February 5, 2012
The threes were so wide open in this game though, because we were killing 'em inside.
KG, Wilcox and JJ were brutally efficient inside.
And Rondo and Pierce both kept collapsing the paint with their drives. We outscored Memphis 44-34 in the paint.
That was creating a ton of space for Ray, Paul & Pietrus for wide-open 3s.
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
Yes
In instances like today, when they are wide open, I have no problem.
It just seems to me that sometimes our guys fall a little too in love with the three. I seem to remember a three Pierce put up the other night and one Peitrus put up that were way early in the shot clock and forced. I just think we need to be a little more judicious sometimes, that’s all.
KG's Knee - February 5, 2012
Gotta take 'em when they are open.
I prefer that over taking them at the last second when the clock is running out.
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
by the way- Ray Allen is now shooting 57% from three point range
I found this clip of his highlights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV9h4YnsxsQ
sofutomygaha - February 5, 2012
When you're hitting threes at 100% clip, like K.G., who's to complain? lol
lygafe - February 5, 2012
we won decisively and we only hit one out of three
I think you’re worrying too much
sofutomygaha - February 5, 2012
worry not...
there is no way we will die with the threes…we have lots of players who can hit them…pp, ray ray, moore, pietrus, and now include kg and sasha….i dont think all of them will have off nights at the same time….
goldenapple - February 6, 2012
Gotta make this quick did not rock the warmups had to get them washed but the Celtics rocked it hope Bass injury is not bad. Was nice to see JJ and CW get good real minutes. Go Pats!
Blackberry33 - February 5, 2012
LOL - watching the replay of Ray's 4pt play
His Mom was literally right there, in the 2nd row, just feet from where he took the shot and fell down off the foul.
“Hi Mom! Can’t talk! I’m working!”
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
lol
EXER123 - February 5, 2012
was that young kg ???? nice game by jjj 14 assits rondo the truth is unstopable nicce see wilcox be consisnt GO C's
EXER123 - February 5, 2012
To bad TA did not play...
it would of been nice to see him play against his old club.
fordescort - February 5, 2012
Playing like contenders
Except for the turnovers. There were a few stretches that were sloppy and a few plays where I was shaking my head because of turnovers, but everything else looked good to me, nice win for us.
p-peazy - February 5, 2012
Tony the Tiger says "GREATTTTT" for a welcome game end blowout.
A thoroughly enjoyable game to watch- of course, the fact that we won going away made it even more enjoyable. True, Memphis played last night, but they have young legs.
K.G.- tremendous; P.P.- outstanding – and kudos to a great team effort.
Oh yeah- that guy who everybody wanted to trade after Friday’s game- what’s his name- R.R. – only a 14 assist effort.
The rooks are starting to get more playing time, as they become attenuated to the system, and they’ll really be needed with all the back to backs the old fogies will have to handle, and so far, so good. The mix of veterans and youth is beginning to show that the team can take their game to a higher level when needed.
Oh right, that presumably rotting carcass, according to a number of bloggers here, J.O. had only 7 rebounds- 3 offensive and another couple of blocks in his almost 26 minutes.
Lygafe.
Lionel Gaffen / Fotomix.
lygafe - February 5, 2012
My mistake- they played Fri. night, as did we- no excuse for tired legs.
lygafe - February 5, 2012
I must say, I really like our defense right now
Only allowing 80 pts against a uptempo team like th Grizz is a good accomplishment. Everyone seems to be in tune with the team defensive scheme right now.
KG's Knee - February 5, 2012
Yea the defense has been great lately...
and is probably one big reason the C’s are on a nice role the past couple of weeks.
fordescort - February 5, 2012
Really happy to see Rajon attack the basket like that and of course love seeing JJ play well. Nice pass too, hes smart.
ianboyextreme - February 5, 2012
JO had a quietly strong game as well. Very good defense from him. Hes an anchor down there.
ianboyextreme - February 5, 2012
Nice win
Impressed with the play of Johnson today, and pretty much everyone who played contributed. I would not be unhappy if Doc tried the combination of KG and Johnson in other games moving forward. It will be interesting to see how this team does against better competition – Lakers and Chicago for two coming up. Memphis is good, but is severely weakened without Randolph and Tony Allen, two starters. In general though, nothing about which to complain, and that is good. Looking forward to Thursday night and Sunday. Will be two real tests.
vinnie - February 5, 2012
celtics
The big differance in the Celtics this year over last, is they get stronger at the end of the game, where the last two years they faded out in the 4th quarter. I credit this to Dannys good off season aqusitions. The new guys have injected an energy into the team I havent seen since 2007, and the big three seem to feed of it with new found energy. They actually look young again, and its going to prolong their career, getting more rest. Could anyone imagine Howard joining Boston next year, and Rondo feeding him, KG, and our other bigs those bullit passes, They would win 70 games.
angloamer - February 5, 2012
so
after seeing how JJJ contributed today, is there really anyone left that thinks
A. that when Doc doesn’t play rookies it’s always because they aren’t good enough
B. that we should have kept Marshon Brooks instead of getting JJJ AND a Nets second rounder to boot?
JJJ is going to be a very solid player for this team going forward.
slamtheking - February 5, 2012
Yea JJ sure looks good...
not from just what we have seen him as a member of the C’s but also from what we have seen from his college days.
Throw the Steamer into the equation and I at least think the C’s have 2 young, athletic, long, solid front court big men with both defensive plus offensive skills who also have alot of upside and promise to help the C’s as they seek to rebuild the team next year.
fordescort - February 5, 2012
" young, athletic, long, solid front court big men with both defensive plus offensive skills "
2 Young KG builds :D
celtics2011 - February 5, 2012
Man, I wish I saw this game!
I thought it was gonna be on at noon. (I live in LA.) I’m glad to hear how well JJJ played though.
Pork n Beans - February 5, 2012
Why did Tony Allen get a DNP? I didn't see anything other than- coach's decision.
lygafe - February 5, 2012
He was out with an injury
vinnie - February 6, 2012
Isn't Pierce like 10pts away from Larry Bird's scoring record?
Celticsdude - February 5, 2012
Yeah, he should pass Bird in the next game to move into 2nd place behind Havlicek for Celtic scoring.
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
Thanks! Awesome
He should skip that game and break the record against the Lakers Lol
Celticsdude - February 5, 2012
Good game.
Look at the Assits and Rebound totals for the Celtics.
Thats good numbers, hopefully we can keep it up!!
ZM15 - February 5, 2012
Where is the box score???
shamgreen - February 5, 2012
http://www.nba.com/games/20120205/MEMBOS/gameinfo.html
mmmmm - February 5, 2012
Scary good!!!
When it all clicks, this team can be downright awesome! And who put Monster in Doc’s gatorade? Only explanation and why he’s playing the rooks so many minutes. KG is reminding me of McHale in his latter years when he started adding the 3 pt shot to his arsenal.
yakyakyak - February 5, 2012
YaY!!! another W
celtics2011 - February 5, 2012
Looking forward Next 5 games, We are on a 4 game Winning Streak
Charlotte – looks like another 5 game winning streak
Los Angeles Lakers – possibility of 6 game winning streak
@ Toronto – 7 game Winning streak if not beaten by Lakers
Chicago – very tough game hopefully we can get an 8 game winning streak
Detroit – 9 game winning streak if no beaten by Chicago
celtics2011 - February 5, 2012
Not too optimistic on the Chicago game but we should extend it to 7 game winning streak
Please don’t blow this team up! They are finally in rhythm and playing fantastic basketball.
I honestly think they can end up 4th/5th seed in the playoff, which will glide through the first round easily. Second-round onwards, it all depends on luck and injures. But I think they have a bright future this season.
Ann Xing - February 5, 2012
"It all depends on luck and injures"
Not to agree on luck, but on injuries hopefully a full strength Celtics team we are on playoff .
celtics2011 - February 5, 2012
It also depends on the officiating too...
Lakers are a crappy road team this year, so I hope the Celtics win that one.
SparzWizard - February 5, 2012
grizzled veterans but young cub hearts...
forever_green - February 5, 2012 via mobile
Defense
They are playing championship level defense right now. It is just smothering. I got to admit I didn’t think they’d get back to that level defensively but they are slowly winning me over.
Great win!!
CelticsFanNC - February 6, 2012
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