Great Game Pt 2! (plus Blaze in Tie for Division Lead)

As with their first meeting, the Celts and the Pistons played a superb game last night. Despite the Conference Championships won by the Cavs and the Heat over the past two seasons, Detroit clearly views themselves as the team to beat in the East. Their chemistry, poise, swagger and ability to make big plays on both sides of the ball distinguish the Pistons as one of the League's elites.

Enough has been said about the Celtic's credential and potential. They have the NBA's best record and arguably the best defense. Boston has as much offensive fire power as anybody with the their three stars and maturing group of role players. Be that as it may, they have yet to play a post-season game. As Sheed was correctly stating in pre-game interviews, the Celts have yet to establish an identity.

Well, its still January, and so as C's fan I can only get so excited about Boston's comeback in Auburn Hills. But whatta a game! The C's jumped out to an early lead until KG picked up his second foul. Then Detroit laid an 8 minute beat down on Boston, pushing out a 12 point lead. With KG, Tony Allen and Big Baby on the floor in second quarter, Boston crawled back into the game, leading to a see-saw for the last 30 minutes of regulation. Taking the only thing the Detroit D would give him, Paul Pierce spent the fourth quarter penetrating with the dribble and finding the big rookie Davis for an assortment of lay ups from the baseline.

These guys are playing very high-level, competitive basketball. The Pistons D was phenomenal, especially Rip Hamilton blanketing fellow Husky alum Ray Allen. Both benches played big, with Boston's coming through down the stretch. . . much like the Piston's bench game through in the first game. Can't wait til their third meeting. And lets all hope we get a 7 game spectacular this Spring.

In other news, Portland waxed the last team to beat them, division rival Utah. The Blaze crew has won 16 of 17. They clowned the Jazz without the service of emerging star Brandon Roy after the first quarter (he got beat up in the double OT victory over the Bulls). LaMarcus Aldridge was huge offensively in the first half, and then in the 3rd quarter, with the Blazers trailing by 2-3 baskets, Martell Webster EXPLODED for 24 points. Jumpers, post ups: Sickness. I had just watched Big Baby's 16 fourth quarter points versus Detroit, and I thought that was a show.

Blazers are going places this year. Insane!

p.s. Just before I wrote this, I watched LeBron score 24 STRAIGHT to lead an improbable comeback over the Raps in Toronto. Sorta puts Big Baby and Martell in perspective, cause somehow LeBron's heroics don't seem surprising.