97 Nuggets, 90 Celtics

The Celtics were doing fine until the 4th quarter, where they just faded and couldn't get anything going.

For as much as Paul Pierce is captain clutch and will take over forth quarters I have to put last nights loss on him. He shot us out of the game and played selfish basketball, rather than team ball. With the score tied and with Jeff Green on fire, Pierce opted for an ill advised top of the key 3 on a fast break. The momentum was shifting our way and he completely killed it with that shot. Then we ran a couple more plays for Pierce who forced some shots and missed and that was all she wrote.

Pierce was 2-14 on the night with 10 points. Jason Terry also showed some all star rust with just 2 baskets as well.

This was a frustrating game to kick off the second half.

Celtics @ Nuggets Preview

The NBA All-Star break is over, trade rumors are swirling the Celtics, and now we head into the home stretch of the NBA season. The last time the Celtics played the Nuggets it went to triple OT with Boston coming out with the victory. Their history in Denver though, has been terrible (lost three straight and seven of eight in Denver). Tonight is going to be a very tough game.

Boston isn't the only team that has trouble in Denver. Seemingly everyone does. The Nuggets are 22-3 at home this season, and they are said to be healthy. So what exactly is working in Boston's favor? Well, it realy comes down to what DP and I have been preaching post-Rondo. This team wants to stay together. The trade talks are at an all time high. If you believe the rumors this could be the last time you see KG and Pierce on the court together. This could be an end of an era. Would you pick against them?

Yea, me either.

Celtics win 105-102
Tommy Award: KG
Game Starts at 9pm

118 Celtics, 113 Nuggets

What an incredible game! It is truly amazing what the Celtics have been able to do without Rondo or Sully. Last night's win was exactly what the Celtics grit and balls team was about last year. Just the grittiest, ballsiest win of the season and ended the Nuggets 9 game win streak.

Everyone was saying that this will be the Celtics first real test, and Paul Pierce, KG, JET and Jeff Green answered that call:

Paul Pierce, there is nothing more you can say about the Truth right now other than he has elevated his game back to superstar status once again. He finished last nights game with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, just incredible. He was just incredible, mostly clutch (I will forgive that missed free throw) and just pulling his weight. Pierce knocked a huge 3 down in the second overtime to extend the game. Dude is just clutch as shit.

Kevin Garnett chipped in with 20 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks with the typical KG, "Get that shit outta here nigga!" after the blocks, I wonder if someone gets fired everytime that gets played on the CSN or whether it's just a thing that they are used to at this point. KG went for 46 minutes yet started the 3rd overtime hitting three of his first four shots. He played big in the 3rd overtime after struggling from the field for a lot of the game. Incredible. The your not trading me tour for both of these players is still on.

JET played his best game as a Celtic. In regulation he dropped 21 points on 8 of 19 shooting being the guy we thought he was. However in OT he started off cold, missing seven straight 3′s but then he hit a HUGE 3 with 1:15 left in the 3rd OT. He also had a great defensive stop on Andre Miller too.

Now it's time to shout out Jeff Green who was as clutch as anyone. I still wish he would rebound more, but as long as he stays aggressive offensively and keeps improving on defense we will be alright. He hit a huge jumper in the 4th and an even bigger 3 in the first overtime to tie the game at 99. Jeff finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks in 42 big minutes. I like when they play him at the 4 a lot.

The Nuggets are a good team and although it took them 3 OT's to beat them this was the best win of the season.

Garnett Says "No Thanks" To Nuggets Trade

Boy, this is getting old fast. First off, KG came out and said "I bleed green, I die green, that's what it is, but it is a business though, and when it crossed paths with it, I'll deal with it."

So it's obvious his preference is not to go anywhere. He left the door open a little bit by basically saying if the Celtics were to "blow it up" (ie trade Pierce) then he would be open to being dealt (rumor is only to LA). That is totally understandable as the Celtics focus then would obviously not be winning over the length of his contract, and he should have the right to chase a Championship.

That being said, I am still on the same boat as DP on this. There is really no reason to "blow it up" unless you get a deal you can't turn down, which I just can't see them getting. Every contender would love to have KG, but the cost has to be right as he is very old, and a very short term solution. Plus, the Celtics have everyone coming back next year, so it's not like it's totally do or die this year. Yes, they would just yet another year older, but that was the plan from the start and I don't see why that has to change right now.

The Nuggets to me just don't make any sense at all. Not that they don't have nice young pieces, but because they play a very run and gun style of offense that KG would really have a hard time keeping up with (in my opinion).

Thankfully the trade deadline is only 15 days away, so just two more weeks of this nonsense, before we can all move on.