Celtics (27-2) at Lakers (23-5) 12/25

[CoachBo]

We did enough things poorly in the first half - particularly in the second quarter - to be down 20.

We won't win this game unless Doc extends the first five's time in the second half.

[Casperian]

Too many turnovers, as always.
Lazy passing and not enough Intensity on defense.

I hate to admit it, but I think we won´t win by double figures.

[Tenacious D]

"and Fisher can draw a charge moving sideways in the circle"

Thought so.

[ManUp]

We've got an entire second half to go Kobe.

I understand your just happy to not be down by 20, but seriously!

Show some professionalism man!

[CoachBo]

If I'm in the locker room, I'm telling them:

1. More defensive intensity, especially in the post. I'm in Perkins' face right now.

2. Move without the basketball - too much standing around.

3. Attack the basket with the ball.

4. Better decisions on the defensive rotations.

5. And I'm in the bench's face as well - poor decisions with the basketball, bad shot selection, bad man-on-man defense.

[silvershamrocker]

Disastrous first half.

The bench was atrocious. TA had more fouls than points. BBD was the only one who scored off the bench. Where was Leon?

Oh, and I hate the ABC announcers, all they talk about is Lakers and Cavs even, no mention of anything positive relating to the Celtics until the 2nd quarter. And the refs are pretty bad.

I hope KG and Pierce and Doc yell at everyone, get them fired up for a huge 2nd half.

 

[fairweatherfan]

Difference in this game so far is

1. Our bench
2. Some truly dubious officiating (that "charge" on TA had me yelling some words that have no place on Xmas Day)
3. Turnovers (better in 2nd quarter but really hurt us in the 1st).
4. Being sponsored by what looks to be a godawful movie.

Bottom line, I've seen nothing to dissuade me from thinking that we are the better team.  Let's get em this quarter.

[QuinielaBox]

What went wrong the 1st half?

Bad decisions leading to Turnovers leading to fastbreak baskets by the Lakers.
Foul trouble on Rondo.
No offesive rebounding.
No Free Throw Attempts.
Missed defensive assignments.
So far Laker energy is giving us a lot of trouble.  

[Who]

Lakers are in trouble

Kobe has 16 points
Gasol + Odom + Bynum have combined for 11 points

This is not sustainable. They can't win this game without a second, and they might need a third scorer also, stepping up and delivering some help for Kobe Bryant.

The Lakers are also giving up far too many easy baskets in the paint.

The Lakers do not have a big enough lead after all that quality advantages they had in the first half. They're in trouble.

[CoachBo]

Only if Doc limits bench minutes. We will not win this game going one-on-five like we did in the second quarter.

[Andy Jick]

i think the nba should take a page out of the nhl and put the league on standstill for a couple days.  i'm sure this is what the nba wanted everyone to see...

[Celtics1990]

Jeff Van Gundy drives me crazy. He jumps on every oportunity to rip on the C's and talk about the Cavs and the Lakers.  He said that the Cavs were the best team in the Eastern Conference.  I'm sorry but this guys an idiot, aren't we on a 19 game winning streak?

[CoachBo]

Disastrous first half.

The bench was atrocious. TA had more fouls than points. BBD was the only one who scored off the bench. Where was Leon?

Oh, and I hate the ABC announcers, all they talk about is Lakers and Cavs even, no mention of anything positive relating to the Celtics until the 2nd quarter. And the refs are pretty bad.

I hope KG and Pierce and Doc yell at everyone, get them fired up for a huge 2nd half.

 

Good post. The bench was truly awful in the first half, as one would suspect since they're not wading through the mediocrity of the East.

Again, whatever happens today happens. It could be a positive if it hastens the arrival of some quality reserves.

[RockinRyA]

im really mad.. i woke up early just to watch this game and now the cable's having some problems!

cmon guys lets win this one!

[tenn_smoothie]

Also, I am against having the Celtics play marquee games on Christmas. I want to relax today, not get this worked up about a game

i agree ................ except that the teams that get scheduled for the marquee tv games are always the top teams. this is better than all those years being a mediocre-to-bad team and never getting near a tv date.