After injuring his shoulder during Wednesdays game, Cavs G and 3 point sharp shooter is out for the rest of the series
Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson is out for the remainder of the second-round playoff series against the Celtics due to a first degree left shoulder separation, which could sideline him for 1-2 weeks.
Gibson left Cleveland’s Game 5 loss on Wednesday in the third quarter with a left shoulder contusion. He received additional examinations today at The Cleveland Clinic, including an MRI, which revealed a first degree left AC (acromioclavicular joint) separation. With Gibson out, look for veteran guard Damon Jones likely to replace him in the rotation and veteran guard Eric Snow likely to be activated.
In my opionion it is a HUGE loss for the Cavs, when GIbson gets hot he is a huge weapon. This makes the Cavs bench one player short and puts more pressure on Delonte West to score and defend.
According to the Boston Globe, big man Ben Wallace is doubfut for game 3:
Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace is doubtful for Game 3 of Cleveland’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics because of allergies and a left inner ear infection.
Wallace started but played less than 4 minutes in Thursday night’s game before he became dizzy and asked to come out. He staggered to the bench and had to be assisted by his teammates before the Cavs’ training staff stepped in.
Wallace underwent a series of tests at the Cleveland Clinic on Friday. The team said the defensive stopper could be upgraded but it was “best case, 50-50″ that Wallace would play Saturday in Game 3.
Cavs coach Mike Brown said if Wallace can’t go, Anderson Varejao would likely start up front alongside LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as Cleveland tries to climb back from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series.
Wallace joined the Cavaliers in a trade from Chicago in February. He missed several regular-season games because of back spasms.
Its little things that win playoff games and Wallace does those little things, hustle, offensive rebounds and defense. With him out that propells Verajo into the starting line up and makes the Cavs weak bench 1 man smaller. With him being out it Could be a hit to the head for the Cavs.
Obviously if you are reading this blog you probaly watched the game so I will rarely go into recaps about games but I will give my two cents.
19 Points 13 Rebounds 2 Assists 7-13 from the Field, 3 steals and stellar defense and electricity.
These are not the stats from Lebron, Pierce, Garnett or any other starter but rather the combined stats of two bench players whom came up huge in last nights win, giving the celts the momemtum, clutch points and rebounds, defense and hustle to grab the lead and eventually the win. These two men are Leon Powe and James Posey.
Again it was Poseys long arms and menacing defense who bothered Lebron and got in his head where he was forcing shots, turning the ball over (7 times) and missing layups. Posey also came through with a huge 3 late in the second quater and a steal off Lebron leading to a dunk where the Celts took the lead, got the crowd on its feet and never looked back.
It was Powes hustle and hardwork on the offensive boards (4 off boards). With Perkins in the game Illgauskus scored 12 points going 6-6 from the field and Kendrick was not able to defend vs Illgauskus’ outside pop out jumper. Powe came into the game and was scrambling all over the place sometimes playing vs Illgauskus who only scored 7 more pts the rest of the game, sometimes hedging a disrupting Lebrons jumper. I think Powe needs to get more PT in this series, Kendrick can not get out to Illgauskus jump shot and is not bringing the intensity as Powe does.
Without the two P’s the C’s might have gotten an L last night. Up 2-0, need to steal one in Clevland and the bench will have a huge impact.
Doesn’t it sound like ZAZA is drunk? He sounds like a college student about to jump off a rood into a pool…. Game 7! Game 7! Game 7! Game 7 tomorrow, get ready for a beat down Atlanta. I will be there and it will be electric!
I know I have been beind the Celts win or lose. I had actually attended more games last year than this year because of the demand for the tickets. But Atlanta Hawks PG Mike Bibby does not think that Celtics fans are real:
“It’s good that they know I’m here,” he said before practice yesterday on the same floor where he missed all those shots. “Fair weather fans if you ask me.”
Sunday’s crowd was “kind of loud at the beginning,” Bibby said calmly, “but a lot of these fans might be bandwagon jumpers. They try to get on this now. Because I played here last year, too. I didn’t see three-fourths of them so it might be that.
“I remember them having bags on their heads,” he said. “Are they the ones that had bags on their heads last year? It’s just a different look, but I guess that happens when you win.”
Garnett followed with
“I wouldn’t say it’s the smartest comment,” Kevin Garnett said yesterday.
Perkins what do you have to say?
“He said that?” center Kendrick Perkins said when told of Bibby’s remarks. “I mean, coming off a 2-for-10 night shooting, he would say something like that. … We’ve got the best fans in the world, so we don’t expect other players from other teams to like our fans.”
And last but not least Pierce, who was here last year through the bad and now here through the good:
But Boston’s fans “really showed up for us even a year ago. We sold out a lot of games and they were there for us, so the guy really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Pierce said. “These guys have been there for us all year long and with Bibby’s comments I hope they come even louder.”
So wheather you are fair weather fans or die hard celtic fans lets let Bibby and the Hawks hear it tonight. Make them scared to play in Boston: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!
After trailing by 17 in the 2nd quater the Celtics got back on track and squeaked out a victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Two big threes by Sam Cassell and Eddie House gave the Celtics a 2 point lead with a minute to go in the 4th. Rondo came through with a big offensive rebound and went on to nail two free throws.
With 4.3 seconds left KG made a big turnover but Big Shot Bob Horry was not able to come through with a game winner 3 pointer.
Huge win to start off this texas triangle trip. We know this trip will be like playoff atmosphere.The celtics now go on to play the Houston Rockets and look to break up the record breaking streak of wins. The celtics will win tommorow and will win in confincing fashion.
Veteran PG Sam Cassell will make his Celtics much anticipated debut vs the Sixers tonight. Because of the crunch of numbers Brian Scalabrine will be inactive.
College Basketball – Division II
The Division II NCAA tourney has been set. The Bryant Bulldogs out of Smithfield, RI have made their 5th straight tournament. The bulldogs earned a 5 seed and play 4th seeded CW Post in the first Round on March 15th. If they advance they will likely play the dominant Bentley Falcons (MA.) who is undefeated on the season. On Feb 2nd the Bulldogs gave the Falcons one of their greatest scares of the season 68-67.
Other area teams that made it to the D II dance are Assumption who plays Holy Family and Merrimack who faces the tough task of taking on Bentley.
Kevin Garnett spurred a big celtics win over the 2nd place pistons. Leading the Celtic tonight were KG who had a season high 31 points, K Perk had a season high 20 rebounds and Big Baby who was electric off the bench. Rondo also stepped up to the challenge vs Billups and played a solid game. When it came down to crunch time the Celtics killed the Pistons outscoring them 21-11 in the 4th.
This win was huge. It puts the Celtics ahead 5 games in the loss column and they also own the tie breaker between the two. With 21 games left the Celtics would have to go a big slump to let go of first place.
As expected Sam Cassell signs with the Green Jerseys, the Celtics. This is a hugggge addition especially for the playoffs. He has the playoff experience at the PG position that the celtics desperately needed. He will be the guy we need who can shut down Chancey Billups vs the Pistons in the playoffs. As CelticsBlog.com and Bill Simmons points out Cassell does all the little things the can put your team ahead. http://www.celticsblog.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2536&Itemid=189
Cassell was offered more money with the Mavericks but decided that the celtics were his best shot at a championship. Cant wait to see Sam I am in that Green Jersey. (he wont be playing Wednesday vs the Pistons though)
Rondo was stacking up the Dimes tonight vs the Bobcats…
Rajon Rondo dished out 16 dimes and Kendrick Perkins added 19 pts, 9 rebs and 4 blocks as the celts defeated the bobcats 108-100. KG hit some clutch 17 footers down the stretch and Ray Allen sunk four free throws to seal the deal. The celtics host Hotlanta Hawks on Sunday. Also Tony Allen was out with a strained calf.
Rondo was stacking up the Dimes tonight vs the Bobcats…
