Spurs 103, Celtics 88: San Antonio provides a lesson on how great teams play
The Celtics had a chance in this one, as the Spurs were not at their finest, but the shots did not fall down the stretch for the boys in green and the Celtics picked up their second consecutive loss. Boston leaves the run of games against the lone star state with one win in double over-time against Dallas after playing the three Texas teams in a row. Some notes from the game in descending importance order (sort of):
- Jason Terry had the best half of his Celtic career with 17 in the first on 6-8 shooting. I’m worried that his back hurt in the locker room from carrying the team because he finished with 18, missing all five shots in the second half.
- Jared Sullinger had 6 rebounds in 9 minutes in the first half, answering the call for rebounding– at least for the bench. Unfortunately he only saw the floor for two minutes in the second half, grabbing one more board. The Celtics tied the Spurs in both offensive rebounds (11) and total rebounds (38), so the problems for Boston were not focused around the glass.
- Brandon Bass does not like Texas very much. He averaged 4.33 points per game against the three teams (he scored two in this one). His minutes have diminished with Jeff Green‘s recent increase in play. Green saw a season high 32 minutes tonight and responded with solid play, chipping in 10 points and 3 rebounds.
- Barbosa seems to be the only player for Boston who can get to the rim.
- San Antonio’s passing is gorgeous, they must get more wide-open threes than anyone else in the league. They lead the league in assists per game with Tony Parker (a score first point-guard) running the team. A lot of credit has to go to Popovich on this front as every player on the Spurs can pass the ball, especially the big-men.
- The emphasis on tipped balls has been working as it seems as though the Celtics are doing a better job getting in the passing lanes. It has yet to directly translate to better defense, but it has sparked the fast break numerous times in recent games.
- As it is my favorite unimportant Celtic subplot I feel as though it is my duty to report the latest– the battle for technical free-throws waged on as Terry took and made the first, KG took and missed the second (both were on the floor for both attempts).
Unfortunately I had the disappointing loss after a back-to-back headline already prepped, and the Celtics were predictably flat. I was trying to set myself up to be pleasantly surprised– but no such luck. Celtics have another tough game coming up, squaring off against Chicago on Tuesday as they try to stay above .500.
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Celtics Blog | Jesse Doran | December 15, 2012
The C’s need to get consistent on defense, this game was really painfull to watch, san antonio moving the ball untill they found the open man to get the 3 pointer… at this pace the C’s will end in last place in the Atlantic Division… so frustrated right now, let’s hope they can stay above the raptors…
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I’m pretty sure the raptors aren’t going to come up anytime soon
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We’re losing on Monday to make it official…we’re a .500 team that sucks. PP 0-2 and 0 pts in the 4th Qtr. – that ain’t going to get it done. And JG needs to get more than 1 reb ever 10 minutes. Sure hope AB gets back soon so these guys can see how to play defense. Go Cs…
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Sorry…meant Tuesday. Monday we’re still above .500, but not for long. Go Cs…fire Doc!
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I think this team has some big problems. WORST REBOUNDING TEAM IN THE LEAGUE, declared by announcers of the game. Why has this issue continued to be ignored… an answer would be great Mr Rivers.
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Don’t worry, I have put Tuesday at Chicago down as a win – Chicago will be on the second night of a back-to-back, having just played at Memphis. The way Thibodeau plays his starters we should have the edge.
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I remember when we passed the like the Spurs. What happened? I remember when commentators would marvel at our ball movement…not anymore!!!!
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I have got to say the 2 players who have really dissapointed to me are 1. Brandon Bass 2.Courtney Lee,Bass has just been awful 8.7 points and 5.3 rebounds his jumpshot is not falling his D has been no where after such a great season last year he has really taken a step back and Lee his D has been dissapointing as well as his shooting I cant blame Doc I blame Ainge I dont wanna admit it but fuck it we really miss Ray his shooting his spacing and believe it or not his defence we just are not good team plain and simple hopefully Ainge can package Lee and Bass for Gortat.This team is no where close to last year team.I get to see Pietrus all the time being im from Toronto we really miss him man big time we miss Steisma ability to alter shots when guards got beat he also gave us the ability to put Garnett at the 4 so he could roam with protection at the rim.Danny sometimes who gotta just stick with what you have.If we brought back our entire bench even if Ray left we signed Terry brought back Mickeal,Steisma and waited for AB to get healthy we would have a WAY better team than this group and we would still have those picks we lost in the Lee trade plus Mickeal would have taken 1.9 mill to come back go celtics but honestly I do not believe in this current team I feel if we dont add size we will be a 7th seed and be out in round 1
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Judas was a disaster on defense so the fact that he eft is OK. I do agree with you regarding MP and CL. I still think BB can help, but if CL & BB can be packaged then I am all for it, as I’d rather JS get BB’s minutes. Go Cs…
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