The Bucks Stop Here
What an original title for a post regarding a game with the Milwaukee Bucks!
Anyway, the Celtics broke the 100-point barrier for the first time last night in a 106-96 home win against Milwaukee. (box score) I've been watching the FSNE postgame this season and after every game they read the same old copy about how one of the sponsors makes a donation to charity every time the Celtics score 100 points. Until last night, the sponsor hadn't had to make a single charity contribution all year, which was getting rather pathetic.
Fortunately, the team hasn't given up 100 points yet this season either--the Celtics hadn't gone this long without scoring 100 or yielding 100 since the 1950s. The ESPN game recap reports the following: "Boston's point total ended the longest season-opening streak of a team not being involved in a 100-point game in NBA history at 14. The longest overall streak is 18 by the Miami Heat during the 1988-89 season." I really hope we get to see offense like last night for the rest of the season because it was far more enjoyable to watch.
The other big statistical story is that Paul Pierce recorded his third career triple double with 26, 10 and 10. He picked up where he left off Wednesday night in Orlando, despite suffering a stinger early in the game and missing a few minutes of action. Pierce is definitely looking more comfortable on the floor ever since he went off on the team for being soft Monday night following the New York loss.
The C's shooting was a tremendous 52.6 percent compared to the Bucks 41.5 percent. Boston also outrebounded Milwaukee 48-40. Turnovers were high at 22, but Milwaukee couldn't take advantage, turning them into only 15 points; the Celtics got 18 points off Milwaukee's 16 turnovers.
Raef LaFrentz returned and gave the Celtics a lift with 14 points off the bench in spite of being a little out of game shape from missing a few weeks. The others in double figures, Marcus Banks (11, outplayed TJ Ford in the rookie point matchup) and Eric Williams (13) also came off the bench. O'Brien went with Williams and Jiri Welsch almost exclusively as his small forwards, handing Kedrick Brown and Jumaine Jones DNP-CDs as he may be setting the rotation. I would expect them to play tonight, though, on the second leg of a back-to-back. Vin Baker had a quiet 8 points and 3 rebounds last night.
Overall the game was very positive as the Celtics may be finding their bearings on offense finally. Tonight we get to play a game against an exciting opponent the... Milwaukee Bucks. Why is the schedule like this again? (Memphis follows Monday night at home) In any case, let's make this 100-point thing a habit, not a rare occurrence. After all, it's for charity, right?