What's Happening Now: [Red Sox @ Baltimore]
Delonte West Celtics, Delonte West Agree on Deal Jon Lester (AP Photo/Rob Carr) Red Sox Six-Run Inning Helps Lester Beat Orioles Brandon Spikes (Image from HuffingtonPost.com) Video: Patriots LB Brandon Spikes Sex Tape? Baltimore Orioles' Luke Scott, left, scores on a hit by Adam Jones as Boston Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez waits for the late throw at the plate during the third inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2010, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rob Carr) Scutaro Error Proves Costly as Red Sox Fall to Orioles Leigh Bodden (Image from BostonHerald.com) Patriots Place Leigh Bodden on IR

Stupid Scheduling Helps Pacers Beat Celtics

Paul Pierce and Danny Granger battle for control of the loose ball during the Celtics' loss to the Pacers. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2008 NBAE  (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

So, the Celtics played in opening night against Cleveland on Tuesday and won. Then, they had Wednesday and Thursday off and played Friday night against the Bulls in a blowout win. Then, they immediately hopped on a plane to play IN Indiana the next evening.

I know it’s early in the season, and it sounds like I’m complaining…but it’s tough on any team, including the talented Celtics, to win a game on the road the next night after playing at home. With that said, the Celtics looked pretty bad in a 95-79 Pacers win.

The game was close by the end of the half, with the Pacers leading 48-41. But, as is customary with a tired team, the Celtics wore out in the second half, as the Pacers surged to a 16-point victory.

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen certainly appeared tired, and it affected their shooting. Pierce shot just 3-15 from the field and finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Allen didn’t fare much better, shooting 4-10 for 10 points and six rebounds.

Kevin Garnett led the way for the Celtics with 18 points (9-18 shooting), 14 rebounds, and a blocked shot. KG has played quite well in the past two games, and is easily the team’s most consistent player. It’s easier when you’re taking short-range shots, but still, the man deserves the credit.

Danny Granger led a balanced Pacers attack with 20 points, four rebounds, a steal, and two blocked shots. Granger has to take on a bigger share of the offensive load this season with the departure of Jermaine O’Neal, and I think he’s more than capable of doing so.

The Celtics will enjoy a day off Sunday with most of the NBA, and will return to action Tuesday against the Rockets.

Tags: , , , , ,

Discussion

One comment for “Stupid Scheduling Helps Pacers Beat Celtics”

  1. agreed, Comcast said the players didn’t check in to their hotel till FOUR AM! I know the game wasn’t for 15 hours after that, but imagine going to bed at 4am, who knows how much sleep they actually got, your cycle must be way off.

    That definitely had a lot to do with last night’s performance

    Posted by Jeff | November 2, 2008, 4:07 pm

Post a comment