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Fast Break: Deer in the Celtics headlights 03.22.12 at 10:22 pm ET
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Based on ESPN.com writer/mathematician John Hollinger’s latest NBA playoff odds, the Celtics (25-21) are the odd team out in the Eastern Conference playoff race — behind the Knicks (23-24) and Bucks (21-25), winners of five and six straight, respectively. Of course, that projection jibes with the most recent Irish Coffee breakdown.

Regardless, Thursday night’s matchup between the seventh-seeded Celtics and ninth-place Bucks was the biggest thing to hit Milwaukee since the filming of “Bridesmaids.” But only the Celtics showed up, cruising 100-91.

Paul Pierce (25 points, 9 rebounds) led the charge. Rajon Rondo (10 points, 14 assists) Kevin Garnett (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Brandon Bass (12 points, 10 rebounds) all recorded double-doubles. And Greg Stiemsma (6 points, 5 blocks, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists) filled up the stat sheet during his first NBA game in his home state.

The Celtics travel to Philadelphia on Friday night, trailing the 76ers by just 0.5 games for the Atlantic Division lead (and the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference). But first, let’s get to the Fast Break.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Pushing for the cushion: The Celtics shot 58 percent from the field, including 4-of-5 from 3-point range, in the first quarter, taking an early 35-29 lead. Pierce scored 11 points in the frame, and Rondo added six. Whenever those two get involved early, good things happen for the C’s. At least for the first 12 minutes, they showed they could match Milwaukee’s newfound fast-paced offensive style of play. Obviously, it helps when the opposing team doesn’t play defense.

Oui, Oui, Oui: It’s no revelation at this point, but Mickael Pietrus‘ ability to make 3-pointers coming cold off the bench is remarkable. He knocked down a trio of triples in the first half, walking the walk after talking the talk. On top of his long-range shooting, a couple tough Pietrus (13 points) takes to the hoop in the fourth quarter helped the Celtics stretch their lead to double digits.

The Bucks stop here: On a nightly basis during this road trip, it seems Doc Rivers has said something to the tune of, “We’ve got to grind out games.” It didn’t appear Thursday night’s game would play out that way, as the two teams combined for 114 first-half points, but Stiemsma and Avery Bradley led an inspired defensive effort in the second half that turned the style-of-play tide in the Celtics favor.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Turkish terror: For the second straight meeting, Bucks 6-foot-10 power forward Ersan Ilyasova burned the Celtics, totaling 12 points and eight rebounds by halftime (he had 25 and 10 against the Celtics last month). Ilysasova (12 points, 14 rebounds) entered the game averaging 12.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in 27.0 minutes a night. For the record, he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season (cc: Danny Ainge).

Oh, shoot: It wasn’t Ray Allen‘s night. He finished just 1-of-8 from the field, including 1-of-5 from 3-point range. And it’s not like he wasn’t getting good looks. Even wide open attempts weren’t falling for Allen. Luckily, the C’s held Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings (12-of-32 combined field goals) relatively in check.

Paint by numbers: Despite matching the Bucks on the glass for much of the night, Milwaukee owned a decided advantage in points in the paint (50-36). And that was on a night that Drew Gooden played awful basketball. The Celtics can get themselves in trouble when they settle for jumpers while the other team gets to the bucket, but even that didn’t seem to matter in Beertown.

Read More: Boston Celtics, Ersan Ilyasova, Greg Stiemsma, Milwaukee Bucks Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • JackEdwardzz

    B’s going to win the Cup 2012-2013

  • Deano42

    I feel the Bruins are not putting themselves in the best place to win with this line combo. I would like to see them try and go with the following. Lucic – Krecji – Seguin, and Marchand – Bergeron – Horton. 

    Three reasons. One I think Seguin would benefit from playing on a line with Lucic who creates a lot of open space. Also having Lucic on the ice with Seguin will keep anyone from taking liberties with Seguin later in the year. 

    Two, right now your best two goal scorers Marchmont and Seguin are on the same line. Also, your best two power forwards are on the same line being Lucic and Horton. I would like to see two balanced lines rather than two unique lines. 

    Three, if you trade for Jerome Iginla, it easily allows the team to put Iginla on the Bergeron line and drop Horton to the third line. 

    I would at least give it a shot for a game or two to see how it goes. I feel production, especially Seguin’s would increase by mixing the lines up a bit. 

  • Bruinman86

    Great win despite a stupid penalty by Lucic.

    • Sicko

       Yeah, tough penalty considering, at best, he’s going to be called for a hand pass anyway and at worst what happened. Just blows my mind how dominant the Bruins have been and how few power play opportunities they get. Every night they play, I check the box and their opponent always seems to have twice as many chances on the pp. I know they have been atrocious with the man advantage but I would still like the penalties to be fair for both sides.

      • Titletown1

        The B’s NOT having power plays is a good thing. They get more shots when they’re shorthanded.

        • Sicko

          Strange but seems to be true. The power play is just hard to watch. I would like them to go out and get someone that can score down low. IMHO they rely too much on the points on the power plays. Chara has an absolute gun for a shot but how many times does he ever score from the point?

        • Bruinman86

           and in many cases, more goals! One of the great wonders of the world – how can a team with such offensive skill suck so bad on the PP???

      • Fab4ever

        They need to fix the power play….regardless of the penalty ratio….I keep reading and listening to all the theories but it’s the same old same old….I realize no team is perfect but they can certainly use help in that regard…

        • Sicko

           I agree 100% my only point is they seem to take a lot of penalties even with the dominant record. The power play has been a killer ever since Savard went down.

          • Fab4ever

            They have cap space…there will be a move to improve…count on it.

      • Bruinman86

         What gets me is the lack of finishing when given great opportunities.  They are averaging 3 goals a game. As for the penalties, the league has started to take the NBA approach to calling games. Some odd calls and many missed ones.  I hope this means the refs haven’t hit their stride yet…..

      • 6738730

        PP is definitely a concern.  The Bruins for the most part are playing with some swagger, but you can see that disappear as soon as they go a man up.  Almost as if they are too consumed with it.  I have read all sorts of suggestions and ideas, but one thing I know for sure, Chris Bourque does not belong on the point or on the ice in any PP scenario.  

  • Titletown1

    Bourque’s kid has to go. Sorry, he’s just not that good, period. I can’t understand how a guy that mediocre gets to play the point on the power play. Baffling.

    Neely needs to call Ray and tell him that his kid got a shot after seven years in the minors and he just can’t cut it, at least not in Boston.  

  • Fab4ever

    And to the poster who thinks the B’s need “no fixing”, the power play continues to be a burden. It’s pathetic….they keep winning, that’s what goes good for the B’s….but at some point, the brass will address this Achilles Heel by the deadline….an effective power play will make this team almost unstoppable….Is this team fun to watch?

  • NYCBruinsFan

    A nail biter tonight.  Wish the B’s had won in regualtion and not afforded the Senators a point, however we’ll take the two.  Awesome hit by Thorton which rocked the Garden.  As ususal Tuukka rules, and should have had the shutout tonight.  If only they could have pushed the puck to the corner…. 

  • NYCBruinsFan

    Despite always seeming like the Bruins are killing off a penalty, if you check the stats, we actually have one of the lower total PIM for the season so far.  It’s just too bad they all come at the worst possible time.  And yes, I too am also starting to become a little inpatinet waiting for the power play to improve. 

    • Sicko

       Yeah, but if you also notice they are the lowest team in the league for getting power plays at 51(next closest is 61). I know they have played a couple of fewer games but having one of the better teams in the league you would think they would get more pp time.

      As long as they keep winning I could care less but it always seems they are killing off late penalties in close games.

      • Sicko

         Next closest is actually 57, my mistake.

  • Deano42

    Solid win, however Bruins are clearly more talented than Ottawa and should have put that team down before they got a point for the OT. Bruins still for whatever reason play better on the road. 

    The PP, well we have been saying it for years and nothing has changed. There is no movement, no hustle, no sense of urgency to score on the PP. They continue to mystify me by changing the entire team philosophy for the PP’s.  

    I say, the best short term fix is to simplify things. Keep the Krejci line together, keep the Bergeron line together and keep the d pairings them same. Stop mixing and matching lines for the PP and putting forwards on the point. Tell them to play like it’s 5 on 5 and still use the cycle and normal forechecking to get this PP going. They go from being a grind it out hard forechecking team, to this pass happy, everyone standing still PP, it makes no sense. 

    I played against Chris Bourque when he was at Cushing Academy, yes at that point in his career he was lethal from the point on the powerplay. However, he just doesn’t have it at the NHL level. 
    For that matter, there are very few forwards in the NHL I would put on the point over any of the current bruins defensemen. None of those forwards are currently on the Bruins, one of them just so happens to be Jerome Iginla. 

  • Ted

    Keep his knuckles fresh for the Canadiens tomorrow night.

  • Sicko

     Yeah okay douch e.

  • Bruinman86

     Well knuckles, he does have a point.  That hand on puck is often only called for a hand pass.  Especially this late in a tied game when Refs often don’t have the stones to call a potentially game winning PP.  In my opinion, it should always be a penalty, but the refs aren’t consistent enough about it.

  • Titletown1

    I understand that the B’s have cap space but that is no guarantee that the Jacobs will spend the money. It’s a gamble for them; short season, less profit…..

  • Fab4ever

    Good point…however, from what I’ve read and heard, they’ll make a move…maybe just one…without having to spend the entire nut….and like you alluded, the Jacobs are all about $$ and the deeper this team goes in the playoffs, the more $$ they make….concessions etc…it’s a gamble for them but one I’m betting he’s willing to take….

  • iLoveHockey

    And if the first period is any indication, they could use his toughness

  • Sicko

    Yeah, just saw Tampa brought up a goon for this game. But the way it’s going the Bruins need more offense. Refs need some glasses as well.

  • Nilan is a douch e

     Idiot…

  • Sicko

    The guy gets pounded in one fight and he’s done? Like your namesake, I think you took one too many shots to the head.

  • Djfetherston

    Moron. He tried to start a fight a few games ago but the other player backed down because his team was up by two goals and he didn’t want the Bruins to get fired up. Watch a game once in awhile.

  • bruins fan

    sweet

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