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As trade deadline approaches, Celtics get blown out by Lakers 02.21.13 at 1:14 am ET
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The Celtics gave up 36 first-quarter points to the Lakers, and their defense remained porous for the rest of the night in a 113-99 loss in Los Angeles. The defeat, which came with just over 12 hours left until the NBA trade deadline, was the second in as many games at the start of a five-game trip against Western Conference teams.

Dwight Howard was dominant in the post for the Lakers, hitting 10-of-13 shots en route to 24 points and 12 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass. Howard and Earl Clark (14 points, 15 rebounds) gave Los Angeles a huge advantage on the boards, with a 48-34 advantage on the glass. Seven Lakers finished the night in double figures in a well-balanced attack that consistently found clear lanes to the bucket against the Celtics.

In defeat, Paul Pierce — at a time when he’s been subject to trade rumors — scored 26 points with four rebounds and five assists in 33 minutes. Courtney Lee added 20 points.

The Celtics now have two days to regroup before they face the Suns in Phoenix. Given the uncertainty inherent in the hours leading up to the trade deadline, it remains to be seen what the composition of the team will be when it next takes the floor.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Neil-Wellwood/717070476 Neil Wellwood

    4-5 call wns the game if they make it. And the’d made longr rd down calls all game.  Not a terrible call at all. Had it worked we’d be calling bill a Genious. Either way great win

  • Nd12448

    I agree. Stay aggressive on offense and salt the game away.

    • KidJesus

      Same here.  I’ll take Brady and the Offense having to get 5 yards over giving the ball back to Peyton any day.

  • Sicko25

    Wow, where has the defense gone the last few games? Take out the Chicago game they are giving up an average of almost 102 points a game in their last 7. They really struggle on the road as well and still have a tough time boxing out. Might be time to blow it up as this team has no chance to get past the second round especially without home court. I still think they have a shot at 4th place but man that’s going to be a tough get even if Rose doesn’t come back.

    • Uncle Buck

      Lakers were up for this one.  When I watched the opening ceremony for Buss, I knew it had the potential to be a long night.  Kobe looked  strong and Howard had a big night. Nash and Artest were solid as well.  Pretty balanced effort by LA on a night they would not be beat.  You’re right on about the D.  

      • Bruinman86

         This shouldn’t have come a surprise to anyone.  Lakers had to be pissed after facing the C’s in Boston.

    • Fab4ever

      This is a stark realization that whatever surge they had when Rondo went down is indeed a mirage. The team cannot compete at most of the levels that will be required to win..rebounding, scoring, turnovers…Pierce really looks tired…KG is playing well but I can’t see much with the rest of this team…we as Celtic fans have to be realists…it ain’t happening. I know there’s talk that if they could move up to #4 or 5, they may win a first round series…what’s the point? I say they need to carve this thing up today and make plans for the next few years….time to get younger before we experience the ML Carr years again…

  • FireGuyFrank

    The Boston Celtics are the new Hartford Whalers…Forever .500s

    • Fab4ever

      …and the idiot is back….the tolerance of a 3 month old baby…the IQ of a fence post. Brilliant observations…I bet dollars to doughnuts you sat up for hours in your Doctor Denton PJ’s and thought this one up…thanks for the astute post. We could all learn from you.

  • molly

    Why in the world Danny would you not deal both Pierce and Garnett and get some value for them. They are so inconsistent and OLD. Come on!!

    • Dope Hunter

       Molly, if Pierce and Garnett are so old what do you think they’ll get for them?  Get back in the kitchen…..

  • Bruinman86

    Losing by 14 doesn’t sound like a blowout.  25+ points is a blowout!

    • Fab4ever

      The score doesn’t indicate how bad they played….they had 2 points in the first 4 minutes of the 3rd quarter…they came out of the half down by 9, I went out to walk the dog and they were losing by 19….

      • Baker

        No, No, Fab don’t you know? They’re actually better without RR. Just ask Titletown… Only thing is I haven’t seen him in a few games.

      • Bruinman86

        I didn’t watch the game. I went to bed. Those West coast games are too late at night. Sounds like I didn’t miss much!!

  • These Words Like Daggers

    Jeff Green makes the most athletic plays I’ve ever seen a Celtic make. The insane baseline dunk last night was just the latest example. As long as he is intelligent enough to get better at team defense (the individual defensive plays are often as impressive as those sick, ridiculous offensive plays, but his team D seems weak) I really wouldn’t want to let him go at all. 

    I would trade Bass for a used puck bag if I could get it. An empty one if need be, The best thing he did last night was to push Dwight Howard once. I kid you not. If he has a player within 10 feet of him he can’t hit a shot, because it takes him half a day to get the shot off, and he seems surprised every single time that the opponent plays defense. “What do I do now!!??” sheesh. Shame because he seems pleasant enough. 

    But he’s probably the only one on the team who I could see leave and not feel bad about at all. I said it yesterday (and yesterday’s game would have been a perfect time to test the theory) but Collins should start over Bass, moving KG to the 4 (which everyone says every single day is his natural, not to mention preferred, position) and Bass would come off the bench to do his usual nothing. I know Collins is limited and it might turn into a train wreck, but I’d prefer to go down fighting like Collins will rather than in a more friendly, non-confrontational way like BB offers.

    One last thing, I will not watch one single Celtics game with Kris Humphries on the team, should that trade happen. I have enough nausea as it is.

  • Bad Roadies

    The road record tells the story.

  • San Diego Dreamer

    Can we bring the fans on the road with us? They don’t dare play poorly in front of them.

  • Yaz8

    If Danny does nothing the C’s are at best an 8 seed, and will go out 4 games to 1. What is the up side to doing nothing? KG and Pierce get to hang them up as Celtics?  I hope he does not trade Green who along with Bradley actually have some trade value.  Nobody wants to trade quality or a first round draft pick for a stretch run rental like KG or Pierce, maybe that is the sad truth.

  • Boston_Sports

    Celtics need to revamp the team. Trade for the future. Time is now.

  • Allan in Mills

    once again….

    1. started when Ainge took a huge gamble not re-signing Posey (unsung Celtic warrior).

    2. then the injury to a very good center in game 7 of the finals.

    3. then Ainge traded said very good center.

    GAME OVER.

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