Celtics 107, Sixers 91: Game 3 becomes a Boston blowout victory
The two main differences between tonight and the first two games of this series:
1) Watching the first two games brought as much joy as repeatedly getting struck in the nose with a hammer. Watching Game 3 was more like going to a really fun water park, at least from the perspective of a Celtics fan.
and
2) Tonight, the Celtics just wouldn’t stop attacking.
It took them less than two quarters to match their free throw attempt total from Game 2. Paul Pierce dunked on the world’s head twice on successive touches and never stopped rebounding. Kevin Garnett hit a million jumpers, but he also worked his butt off for low post position and got to the hoop when he wanted to. Rajon Rondo refused to pass up any layups. Even Keyon Dooling, Brandon Bass and Ray Allen took turns putting their heads down and getting to the hoop. The Celtics, who for years have been primarily a jump-shooting team, who for two games of this series had been relatively passive, used Game 3 as an opportunity to impose their will.
They outrebounded the Sixers 44-37, earned 28 free throws to Philadelphia’s 22 and outscored the Sixers 61-32 in the middle two quarters. Pierce didn’t stop screaming, Garnett wouldn’t stop cussing and Marquis Daniels wouldn’t stop doing that new celebratory dance they call flexing. Even ahead by 25 points in the fourth quarter, the Celtics kept going strong to the hoop. Until Garnett came out for good with six minutes left in the final frame, the Celtics didn’t take their collective foot off the gas even a little.
The Sixers planned a red-out tonight by giving all their fans a free red t-shirt. They got even more red than they bargained for when the Celtics spilled gallons of Philadelphia’s blood.
This series seems drastically different now than it did 24 hours ago. The Celtics have seized control.
Related posts:
- Game Preview: Celtics look to deny Karl his 1,000th victory
- Leftovers from Celtics-Sixers Game 1, starring Avery Bradley’s game-changing defense
- Celtics-Sixers Game 1 open thread
- Celtics redeem sloppy mess with game-winning alley-oop; beat Sixers 102-101
- Paul Pierce’s game winner sends Celtics to 104-101 victory
Celtics Blog | Jay King | May 16, 2012
OF (GAME) THREE I SING
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OOPS:
OF (GAME) THREE I SING
In this series, one thing Doc’s said very much,
On every offensive play KG must get a touch.
During the pregame with Donny a sighting of our pal,
The guy Tommy Heinsohn loves, tho he’s a Bull–Scal.
Hollins was an accomplished high jumper in the PAC Ten,
As an NBA player needs that inner leaper again.
When the Cs won the tip the fans got loud,
Iguodala’s steal and score ignited the crowd.
Sixers started juiced up on a 10-4 run,
Bass finally hard to the hoop four minutes gone Q1.
An 8-0 Cs run got them a two point lead,
Young and Holiday getting what the Sixers need.
Pierce hard to the hoop, smacked the glass after the dunk,
Twice! Just he and Rondo no shooting funk.
Pierce: more points than Game 2 just in Q1,
Ugh, Williams for three when the Q clock was done.
When Pietrus is in this building in his mind he must see,
His concussive fall–hooray, he made a three, a three (later a three).
Q2 Cs 28-10 run, all of the Cs are scoring,
Ray, Dooling, Pierce, Bass, Rondo,KG–not boring!
For a time in Q2 the Cs could do no wrong,
11 point lead at the half, Rondo finished strong.
The beat goes on for the Cs to start Q3,
KG is still hot, Pierce (cheap rhyme) for three!
Few Cs turnovers, love Rondo’s coast to coast,
He, Pierce and KG are scoring the most!
Rondo’s hitting his bank shot it looks like at will,
Fast up the court, seems everyone else stands still.
All the Cs were involved, even Hollins was in it,
They know it’s important–this first away game to win it.
A moment of glory for this Sixers group,
On a Williams to Young alley-oop.
Cs dominated in rebounds (!) and points in the paint,
Same team as games one and two? Oh, no, they ain’t!
Tonight the Cs caused the Sixers nothing but trouble,
Rondo, Pierce and KG each had a double double.
To get back home court advantage the Celtics did their part,
Love the resolve of this team, they play with all heart.
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F’in awesome and what we all have been waiting for. Celtics finally show up with passion and effort. If they play like this then they can get to the Finals and win it all. Great rebounding (PP’s 12 rebs means we’re now 16-5 when he has 7 or more), excellent passing, dedicated drives pounding it inside and welcome back MP. KG is possessed and his play is just beautiful to watch. Take that critics!!! Go Cs…pound them again Friday!
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missed the game, but looking over the stats its nice to see Pierce bounce back, he’s game more than ever now with his age and injuries and so on its important to get to the line… he lived there tonight. and yes 12 boards is icing on the cake. Keep it up , can we please get the same effort every night?
KG is ridiculous , i thought one big game out of him was excting … he has been a beast for the whole playoffs… hes such a gamer, when his confidence is up and the swag is turned on , man i get really excited for the opportunity these guys have right in front of them.
GO CELTS
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you need a dvr recorder homes!
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I wouldn’t necessarily say the C’s have seized the series. We still have 2 more games to win against the Sixers. I LOVED Pietrus and his continued confidence in his shot, knowing that he’s made his career off of it and it would fall eventually. Confidence is everything to a sharp shooter.And the flex doesn’t really go like that, but I love how everyone on the bench does it lol. Good game for BB too (minus a few blocked shots). KG’s intensity…it’s almost inhuman at his age. I love it but at the same time it gives me pause because how much does he really have left? Does he have enough for 10 more wins? We shall see. Couldn’t have scripted a better bounce back though.
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Oh and I love the new offensive game plan, setting Pierce and RA off of screens. That can give Rondo multiple options on any given half-court set. That’s like Christmas for a floor general of Rondo’s caliber. Rondo is showing increased confidence in his teardrop and floater shots which can and will be HUGE down the road. So he isn’t exactly the Ray Allen of mid range shooting… SO WHAT he can put the ball on the floor and make a layup. This gameplan likely won’t change if we face Miami either because of their lack of frontcourt depth.
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What I loved the most was the way the team kept huddling up even when they had the lead, working hard to maintain focus.
But before I get excited about this game, I’ve got to see this team bring this kind of intensity and determination two games in a row.
Got to love Rondo. Once again he couldn’t resist giving the opponent bulletin board material, declaring that the Cs had wanted to send a message to the Sixers, and that he believed that they had done so. I actually think it’s pretty good reverse psychology. He’s really laying down a challenge to his teammates.
Thankfully, the Cs DIDN’T try to force the ball to Pierce tonight, after the first couple of possessions. Instead, Pierce let the game come to him, and then he grabbed it.
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Absolutely, the intensity was so obvious that they were screaming at each other. They (RR & PP), and KG in particular, seemed extremely pissed off and turned that into focus, effort, and execution. I want to see this the next game and every game going forward. Giving this level of effort will lead to wins and even if they lose a game or two I believe they can run all the way to the title with this new Celtics’ angst vs their opponents. Go Cs…
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david stern must have thrown up on his boyfriends cock when he saw this game.the only threat at this point is the officiating in the miami series.
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Yo, now that’s what the f–k i’m talking about. That was an absolutely brilliant game from the C’s. Anytime the Celtics win big like this it’s really uplifting. No complaints at all for that game. I would call that a thumping for sure and being that it was an away game makes it all the more better. What did we do right? Ran the ball nonstop with every player running in tandem with RR. Pierce(his knee must feel good) going to the rack strong (which every player needs to do), effective contributions from the bench and the defensive intensity picked up about 4 times what it was in Game 2. Hotdamn, that was a great game and gives confidence to this team going forward. Celtics are like a sleeping giant. Every now and again they wake from their slumber and cause havoc for opposing team. I only hope Godzilla can stay awake long enough to win the title. I doubted whether we could beat OKC but if we play like this, we can beat any team. Keep runnin Celtics. That was f–kin awesome. LET’S GO CELTICS. BANNER 18. BURN IT DOWN…
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James, you may be right in calling this a five game series. The C’s have awakened after fears they had lost interest and were too battered to compete with a younger, athletic team. What a monster game. Loved it.
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