The Boston Celtics re-signed Paul Pierce to a four-year contract, and look to be the front-runners to re-sign Ray Allen as well. These are questionable moves for a team who might have just mortgaged its future for a couple more playoff exits. Whatever team LeBron James plays for could probably beat Boston. And with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat probably could too. And now Boston will not have flexibility to sign great players in the upcoming off-seasons. I understand that they were loyal to Pierce, but will it cost them?

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Tonight marks the start of the NBA Finals. The matchup of the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers is one that we have seen before, twelve times to be exact. The Celtics beat the Lakers in the 2008 finals 4-2. The series was highlighted by a 24 point comeback win in game four to take a 3-1 series lead. The Celtics eventually closed the Lakers out in game six in Boston.

I expect this series to be very highly competitive, much like the one in 2008 was. This time however, I expect the outcome to be different. The main reason I see this series ending differently is due to the fact that Kevin Garnett is no longer a dominant player. In 2008, Garnett was still a very capable offensive player and was armed with many weapons in his offensive repertoire. In 2008, Garnett was able to play above the rim and caused the Lakers front line issues. Now, Garnett is merely a spot up mid range shooter on the offensive end. The Celtics lack of a post up scorer who commands a double team will allow the Lakers length to disrupt the Celtics perimeter offense. The only way that the Celtics can win this series is if Rajon Rondo not only keeps playing well, but actually elevates his game and becomes more of a scorer. Rondo is the one Celtic who does not live by the perimeter shot on the offensive end. If Rondo is able to continuously get to the basket and finish, the Celtics may be able to take this series. I, however, do not see the Celtics being able to match the Lakers athelticism and scoring options. Lakers in 6.

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Coming into the season, I would have said that Boston’s run in 2008 would be their only one with this core. But these playoffs have proved me, and many other people wrong. But as the years go on, their window closes. That is why the Celtics need to win it all in 2010 for their sake.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Indeed, the Boston Celtics look like they saved their best this season for when it mattered most.

“I know,” Boston’s Paul Pierce said. “It’s starting to look that way.”

Pierce scored 28 points, Rajon Rondo had 25 and the revived Celtics again avoided a late collapse to take a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 95-92 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Boston bullied and bruised its way to a 2-0 series lead on the road against a Magic team that had won 14 straight until this series.

After being hampered by injuries for much of the season, often showing their age, the Celtics are now just two wins away from their second finals appearance in three seasons.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPNBoston.com

It’s the Celtics who are still in the chase for an NBA title.

Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and added 12 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo had 21 points and 12 assists to beat Cleveland 94-85 in Game 6 on Thursday night and advance to the Eastern Conference finals. They’ll play the Orlando Magic, who are undefeated in the playoffs.

“Winning is gratifying,” Garnett said. “You’re playing the best team in basketball; the challenge is there; you don’t have to dress it up. One thing we don’t lack is confidence. We’re a veteran team and we understand when it’s time to lock in as a group. I think we did just that. I think the experience is taking over.”

Despite his sixth career playoff triple-double, James is headed for another early offseason after winning a second MVP award and leading the Cavs to an NBA-best 61 wins and a home-court advantage they never got to use.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPNBoston.com

“I do whatever I gotta do to help this team win,” said Pierce. “Guarding LeBron [James] is no easy task. He’s the two-time MVP and a lot of their offense goes through him — pretty much all of it. I know I have to focus on that end, more so than the offense. I knew that coming into the series.”

Celtics coach Doc Rivers echoed everything Pierce stated, suggesting he’s healthy and doing his part defensively.

Click here to read the full article – By Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com

Easily.

With the good-humored but hard-playing Glen Davis filling in while the Celtics’ emotional leader served a one-game suspension, Boston rolled to a 106-77 victory Tuesday night that Miami coach Erik Spoelstra called “embarrassing.”

It gave the Celtics a 2-0 lead in their playoff series and Davis a chance to reprise the nickname he hung on himself last year when he replaced the injured Garnett — known as the “Big Ticket” — in all 14 playoff games.
“The ‘Ticket Stub’ came,” Davis said. “Whenever they need the ‘Ticket Stub,’ he’ll be there.”
Davis had 23 points and eight rebounds, and Ray Allen heated up in the third quarter and scored 25 points. Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 29.

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

Richardson was fined $25,000 for his role in the altercation.

Garnett earned a double technical and ejection in the melee that unfolded after Paul Pierce tumbled to the ground near the Miami bench with 40 seconds left in Boston’s victory at the TD Garden.

Click here to read the full article – By Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com