The Morning Dump... where Paul Pierce ralllies the troops

The Celtics made their stand following a halftime talk by captain Paul Pierce. Early in the third quarter, the Celtics stopped the Warriors (3-8) on seven successive possessions, holding them without a field goal for 6:01.

“We had one of those conversations that every team has,’’ said Kevin Garnett (15 points, seven rebounds). “And we just know we’re a better team as far as being solid and consistent. The captain sort of pulled everybody together and just talked to us about what we needed to do to go out in the second half. We followed his lead and followed what he said to us and took it to heart.’’

Globe - Celtics Man Up For Win

Moments like this sound good, especially to fans and the media, but I believe these 'conversations' happen frequently. We only hear about them when the results are positive. I'm not trying to diminish what Paul Pierce said at halftime. But I see a fatigued Golden State team, playing the second game in a brutal back-to-back (CLE, BOS), with only 7 players. There should have been no need for 'the talk.'

“I got on him, and I rarely do, about the threes,’’ Rivers said of Wallace. “Because even though he was wide open, it’s really tough. I mean, he was wide open and he took two, but we had just taken two quick ones. But he’s got an incredibly high basketball IQ. He’s been phenomenal in the locker room. So, I’m just happy to have him.’’

Globe - Rivers Assumes 3-point Stance

I have no qualms with Doc telling 'Sheed to limit his threes, and 'Sheed shouldn't either.

On Page 2, video of Kevin Garnett's three-quarter court shot.

“I did make a halfcourt shot, didn’t I,” he said after the Celtics’ 109-95 win, getting the distance wrong.

He turned to Paul Pierce and, in a mock scolding, said to the Celtics captain, “Why didn’t you tell me, dog?” Told the shot was actually made from three-quarters court distance, Garnett said, “It was three-quarters, wasn’t it. Whoa, that felt good.

“I was just trying to get the ball up, and if you look at the tape, I called it.”

Is there anything funnier than watching those two speak to the media after games?

The rest of the links:

Globe - Not A Lot for Wyc to Grouse About | Herald - Rondo Ignites Surge | Rondo Quick to Forget | Heave Escapes KG | Nellie Plugs Along | Comcast Offers More Celtics On-Demand | ESPN Boston - Moore Back in Boston | Celtics Blog - 3rd Quarter Saves Celtics | Wiz Smoke Cavaliers