Sixers 99, Celtics 86: Mickael Pietrus injury clouds Celtics loss
Mickael Pietrus was carted off on a stretcher after suffering an apparent neck or head injury. Avery Bradley left shortly after with a sprained ankle. Ray Allen sat out with a bothersome left ankle that has been troubling him since the Clippers game earlier in the road trip. The Celtics took an early 10-point lead in their quest for first place in the Atlantic Division, still held a six-point advantage at halftime, and completely fell apart in the third quarter, when Philadelphia outscored the Cs 37-17.
Taking all that into account, the Celtics finished the road trip from hell at a respectable 4-4.
Pray for Pietrus.
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Celtics Blog | Jay King | March 23, 2012
This is a game that the Rondo haters will surely point to with enthusiasm. Rondo passed brilliantly for seventeen assists, but his defense was AWFUL. That may have been the worst defensive effort I have ever seen from a good player, ever. Even Hubie called Rondo out for it. He made no effort to stay in front of his man all night, and he gave up on plays over and over and over again on the defensive end.
I think the Pietrus injury must have REALLY gotten into his head. That must have freaked Rondo out a lot.
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I didn’t like the way Rondo played either. There are some game where he is of sheer brilliance others where I feel like he doesn’t even show up. The Gods of the NBA really don’t like us at the moment. Year after year, they keep striking our players down with injuries. Still, I think it’s a game we should have won. The defense crumpled in the third. Also, I don’t think Doc rotated his bench enough. When a guy goes down, or the team is down on points. The bench MUST play and it MUST produce otherwise how are you going to win the game if no one provides a spark or is given the chance to.
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Despite the terrible injury to MP and other injuries (prayers for a speedy and full recovery for MP) the Cs gave this game away. The bench was the downfall tonight (and Doc). They played a grand total of 91 mins and had 7 rebs and zero offensive rebs. Let’s not give GS a contract until he starts rebounding again (18 mins and 0 rebs). PP had 9 rebs and in games when he has 7 or more we’re now 8-2 this year, so he played his part perfectly but it all went south in the 3rd QTR. RR was great on offense but, as paul said, his defense sucked. We gave up 14 offensive rebs and only had 3 for our side. How does a team on defense and ‘supposedly’ between their man at each spot (pretty much) allow so many damn offensive rebs this year? Every time we give up 14 that’s 14 extra shots usually (miss TOs in next possession) the other team gets. We were -18 in shots to Philly tonight. Too many dumb turnovers (nice RR pass to the backcourt (to no one within 5′ of the pass) is one glaring example. Only 13 FTs as no one was driving to the basket (only 2 in 2nd half). While I understand the negative effect MP’s injury had instead of wilting why not max the effort and win it for him and the team? I suppose I will catch crap from everyone for saying that but how great would it be to have won, taken the division lead and send a message to the league that no matter what befalls this team their resilience is unmatched and therefore watch out for this team in the playoffs? It also would have been uplifting for MP as he heals. I can accept the loss as MP’s health is more important but the subs blew a chance to gain favor with Doc (although EM performed well and should be getting Dooling’s mins as KD SUCKS and does nothing game in and game out) and get playing time? Doc should be using EM but also Hollins who got a whopping 3 mins tonight. Hell, play GS and RH together and tell them to do nothing but block shots and rebound. So much opportunity lost tonight but if MP is OK and gets back soon then I’ll be the happiest C-fan around. Go Cs…get well MP!!!
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Seems MP will be OK but may have a concussion. Here’s a blurb from the ESPN repot and I use it to show this guy’s commitment to winning. I am so glad he’s a Celtic and I look forward to the day he wins a title with this group. Go Cs…
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Must paste before sending – sorry…
“He was a very lucky man,” said his agent, William McCandless, who spoke with Pietrus and said the player’s first question to an assistant at McCandless’ agency was who won the game. Go Cs…
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Well Pietrus is still the main story from last night. Forget the Atlantic standings, because we still have about 20 games to catch up to them. They’ve been in a free fall lately so I’m not too worried about them. But what I saw from Hollins last night was sort of inspirational. In the few minutes he was on the floor he did exactly what we need him to do. He clogged the middle, at least tried to get in position to get rebounds, got fouled, and provided some good defense. He was late on one switch, when Lou Williams (who should have gotten some kind of technical or something for what he did to Pietrus) got an easy layup. That would have been block city if Hollins had gotten there a split second faster. Let’s not forget that he signed with the team just a few hours before tipoff. SO the game was a freestyle for him. WE get today off, then we return home for the Wizards game. AND they play the night before. So I’m excited to see how we bounce back with that resilience that we have. Best of wishes to Pietrus.
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Resilence? If the Celtics aren’t careful they will miss the playoffs. Better get your s–t together Boston.
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