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| (Top performer Kevin Garnett scored 17-points during the Celtics loss to the Raptors. Image courtesy of Celtics.com) |
No less than 24 hours after Paul Pierce’s buzzer beater bounced off the rim to hand the Celtics a loss in overtime last night, Boston once again slipped up on the road to a struggling Toronto Raptors side by a score of 74-86.
Call it tired legs or a simple lack of effort, but something was missing in the Celtics starting five in Toronto. The same chemistry and enthusiasm that we have come to expect from Pierce was non-existent through all four quarters, and a season low six points from Ray Allen only made matters worse.
At the moment, it looks as if the Celtics are simply out of sync on the score sheet. Celtics.com writer Marc D’Amico wrote in his pre-game piece that “The Celtics will need to look deep for someone to score, too, because after last night’s big minutes the odds are that Pierce won’t be lighting it up in this game”.
That was the unfortunate case on Friday night, and unless point guard Rajon Rondo can somehow return to All Star form (even though he won’t be making an appearance in Orlando this year), the Celtics are going to look ugly against ‘top dogs’ Chicago in two days’ time.
If the Celtics do have something to hang their spirits on though, it’s that a well-deserved rest is on the cards. The Celtics have tomorrow off ahead of their Eastern Conference clash with the Bulls back in Boston on Sunday, followed by a three day break ahead of February 19th’s showdown with the Detroit Pistons.
That, plus the upcoming All Star Game break should relieve head coach Doc Rivers’ blood pressure which boiled over in Toronto.
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