Your Morning Dump... Where Doc can live with that

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

"No, we just lost the game," said Rivers, when asked if Monday constituted a step backward as his team's four-game winning streak was snapped. "We're not going to overdo this. We'll let [the media] analyze this and figure out why we lost. They outplayed us. They made shots, moved the ball, attacked us. They were the better team tonight."

"We closed out the first half terribly," said Rivers. "We had a [12-point] lead, then we had four or five turnovers. What we did was give them hope. They cut it to five [at halftime]. Then in the third quarter, we didn't get any stops and they scored every time down. Then we stopped moving the ball and everybody was trying to make plays on their own.

"That happens. I can live with that."

ESPN Boston - Slip-up doesn't bother Doc

I can live with it too. Last night's game was their sixth in nine days, and third road game in four nights. Anyone disappointed with a 2-1 road trip is crazy.

Ever since Michael Finley’s arrival, there has been a question of what the rotation would look like if and when he got settled into a role. The first part of that question has been answered, and Rivers affirmed it last week, saying the veteran clearly had earned a spot.

Finley has struggled a little bit since scoring 15 points against the Pistons last week, but he turned in a solid eight-point performance against Utah in 14 minutes of action. Glen Davis was the other obvious bright spot with 13 points, all in the first half, and five rebounds.

The postseason will present an interesting puzzle for Rivers to solve. Will he stay with all 10 players or will he shorten the rotation? If he does, who gets left out? Right now it would seem to be a choice between Finley, Marquis Daniels and possibly Allen if the matchups swung the right way.

WEEI - Just one of those nights

I vote for a 10 man rotation in the playoffs. I really like the second unit - Nate, Quis, Finley, Davis and Sheed - as a whole. 

On Page 2, Doc explains his ejection.

A frustrated Doc Rivers was ejected with 1:11 left, picking up his first technical for, in his words, asking referee Ed Malloy to continue calling the game after witnessing what he believed was an uncalled traveling call on Utah.

‘I then said, ‘That was the best call you’ve made all night,” said the Celts coach, who mocked applause when Malloy pointed toward the exit.

“I just wish I earned it. If he wants to throw you out for that, that’s fine. I didn’t even swear. We’re in Utah. I appreciate that.”

Herald - Celtics dry up in Salt Lake

Can coaches have techs rescinded? Because that second T was a joke. Ed Malloy needs thicker skin.

The rest of the links:

Globe - Perkins is untangling situation | Pierce talks of feel good story | Rivers, Celtics tossed | Herald - Tough to tune out Jazz | Truth sets stubborn Pierce free | CSNNE - Jazz run past Celtics | Celtics Hub - Annoying | Celtics Blog - NBA vs NCAA | ESPN Boston - Power rankings see-saw ride | First Impressions |

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