Thirty-six hours after the celebration, with Ray Allen draining a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining, to clinch Game 2 and squeak back into their series with the Chicago Bulls, we are back to reality.
The Boston Celtics, at least when it comes to defending their championship, are in trouble, especially with the news yesterday that Leon Powe is now out for the rest of the season.
The Bulls flew into Boston last Thursday as walkovers. They were going to help us kill a week, at most, before the real intensity and the real playoffs were supposed to begin.
Five games with the Bulls, Kevin Garnett or no Kevin Garnett, would suffice. The Celts could work out the kinks and figure out "who" would be doing "what" and "when" over the next month.
Instead the Celtics had better figure out a way to win either tomorrow or Sunday. Or else.
Here are five things to look for beginning tomorrow night:
1. Wakeup call for Pierce.
It's been only two games, and Paul Pierce's numbers aren't bad — 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers — but he has appeared disinterested thus far, as if he needs Kobe Bryant or Lebron James for a wakeup call. You remember the 36 and 42-point efforts by Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon in Games 1 and 2 respectively? That is supposed to be Pierce come big game time. Well, it's officially here.
2. Rondo should be QB.
Rajon Rondo played well on Saturday. The 29 points were glorious. But on Monday night, Rondo was a superstar. What was the difference? Rather than trying to match Rose point-for-point, he played his game, which is running the Celtics offense. Rondo is becoming an all-star before our eyes. The only thing he's lacking is maturity. The Celtics were 22-5 when Rondo got 10 or more assists. Enough said.
3. Where's the "D?"
A year ago, the biggest scoring performances were by Lebron James (45 in Game 7) and Kobe Bryant (36 in Game 3). Well, the Bulls almost hit both highs in two games. We realize Garnett is not playing and the Celtics defense is not the same. But Rose and Gordon are not to be confused with James and Bryant. Both Bulls were magnificent in the fourth quarter. Keep either Bulls player under 30 and the other under 20 and the Celts will win.
4. Big Baby is big component.
The difference between Game 1 and Game 2, in which Glen "Big Baby" Davis scored 18 and 26 points respectively, was his decision-making, and about six rebounds. When coach Doc Rivers said too many players wanted to make up for Garnett's absence in Game 1, he was referring to Davis. Davis shot six fewer shots in Game 1, but most of his shots were forced. Open jumpers and layups are his forte.
5. Ray needs to run.
Ray Allen was a different player in Game 2. He worked to get open and, when he did, Rondo found him. With Garnett gone, Allen's game has to change. There are no double teams down low, which means fewer open shots. Allen needs the ball in his hands and the more he hustles to get open, the more he gets it. When Allen gets to the foul line like he did in Game 2 (six-for-six), good things happen.
E-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.
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