Unfortunately Celtics Run Over Sixers

There really is nothing I hate more in sports than watching Boston fans rejoice, especially at the expense of Philadelphia. That's pretty much what happened last night as the Celtics defeated the Sixers. I used to be a big fan of both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett but no longer since they've gone to Boston. I've also always disliked Paul Pierce and Sam Cassell so it was easy to turn up the intensity from my point of view at the game. It also marked the first sell-out of the season and the crowd was electric in the first half as the Sixers were competitive. In the second half, the Sixers went ice cold from the field and just looked sluggish. Boston's defense clamped down and they got the win. But aren't they expected to? They have three good players who seem to account for 98.3% of their offense. But that might indeed be their undoing in the playoffs.

The Sixers got an extremely weak game from Dalembert who recently complained about his minutes and role on this team. Of course a statement like that always prompts the most scrutiny in the next game and he laid an egg when we needed him. He has had a decent season overall but last night we need total team effort and contribution. Instead, we were forced into having Calvin Booth and Jason Smith on the floor for extended minutes. I once again liked the spirited play of Young who came off the bench and scored 8 quick points. I will leave it there for now since I've been high enough on him lately. One thing I want to bring up about the team though is how they kept leaving an absolute deadeye shooter in Ray Allen open on the wing. Hello! He's going to keep shooting from there! Also a growing concern is our lack of a 3-point threat, especially since trading Korver. I have really no confidence in anyone but Iguodala, sometimes Green, and occasionally Williams to hit anything. We really took the luxury of the Korver instant-offense-off-the-bench for granted. Either way, a game like last night's shows why the Celtics' and Sixers' records are where they are. We still have work to do.

Highlight of the night was the resounding booing for Cassell upon checking in for his first time in a Boston uniform. Loved that. He heard it more last night then when he was here with the Clippers. I noticed I booed louder and it's probably solely because he was wearing Celtics green. I just don't see how he takes them to another level when he picks up three fouls in three minutes. Granted he is new to the system but I just never thought he was that great. To tell you the truth, I don't even see the Celtics coming out of the East, I like the Pistons in that regard. So last night I would have told one of those Boston fans that at least WE realize we are not going to win this year.