03-25-2007, 07:45 PM
|
#1 (permalink)
|
|
dis me to my face!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Age: 25
Posts: 15,896
|
Raptors @ Celtics, Mar. 26th
Game #70, 26 March 2007
Toronto Raptors [38-31] @ Boston Celtics [20-49]
7:30 PM EST, Rogers SportsNet, Fan590.com
TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
    
    
The Boston Celtics were up on the Charlotte Bobcats 54-39 at half-time on Wednesday,
and by the four-minute mark of the third quarter had built a commanding 16-point lead.
Then, curiously, Celtics starters began to leave the game. Paul Pierce was replaced by
Gerald Green; a little over a minute later Kendrick Perkins was replaced by Ryan Gomes;
out came Delonte West and Al Jefferson, substituted with Allan Ray and Leon Powe. The
Celtics lead began to erode. By the end of the third quarter the Bobcats had drawn to
within ten points, and at the six-minute mark of the final frame, when Doc Rivers
finally reinserted some starters into the game, the Bobcats led 75-74. Paul Pierce
didn't play in the fourth quarter. When the dust settled the Bobcats had won the game,
outscoring the Celtics 53-30 in the second half and finishing the game on a 17-10 run.
Following the game Doc Rivers was indirectly questioned about his substitutions and
how they conspired to a loss--an important one between two lottery-bound teams. But
a professional team would never throw a game, would they? The same sad-sack Celtics
had bested the San Antonio Spurs on the road the previous Sunday with Paul Pierce
going-off for 30 points, one day after going down to the wire with the Dallas Mavs in
a 106-101 road loss. Then they rolled over for Charlotte when they got home? Really?
On Monday the Toronto Raptors, winners of two straight and six-of-eight, head into
the Garden looking for a victory and hoping for some help from Doc Rivers. The Raps
are on the verge of clinching the Atlantic Division; their magic number winds down
with each victory. Friends and teammates Chris Bosh and TJ Ford, both celebrating
birthdays this past weekend, continue to establish themselves as the dominant one-
two combination in the Atlantic. Chris Bosh will be a game-time decision after an
ankle sprain versus the Nuggets on Friday, as will be Anthony Parker, suffering from
an identical injury. The game tips at 7:30PM on Rogers SportsNet and Fan590.com.
|
|
|