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.
“It’s funny, you have Kevin out and we have played them one time without Kevin and we did well. So that gives us a little bit of confidence. But it’s a whole different game obviously now. It’s played at a higher level than that game was played, so we have to be ready.’’...
“When you take Kevin off the floor, usually the guy he’s guarding is the guy that’s going to get the ball more if he’s an offensive player, and Michael Beasley’s a terrific offensive player,’’ Rivers said.
Losing Garnett, though, presents problems on both ends. In the 11 regular-season games Garnett missed, the Celtics allowed an average of 99.7 points.
“The last time Kevin was out, scoring went up for the other team drastically,’’ Rivers said. “We can’t have that happen. They’re too good of an offensive team, Miami. If you allow them to score points with the way they play defense, then we’re in trouble.
“We have to somehow be as good defensively for one game, just without Kevin.’’
I was talking to the guys of the 8th Seed Podcast (more on that later today) and they were saying that the defense that they saw out of the Celtics to end Game 1 was some of the best they've seen. And we know that even though KG can't quite move from side to side like he used to... he's quarterbacking that defense.
The Celtics are going to have adjust to KG not being back there if they're going to really shut this team down. They can't come out like they did in the 3rd quarter, fall behind double digits, and engineer another big comeback without KG back there.
On Page 2... This douche
“The only statement I would have on the whole thing is I accept Kevin being suspended,” Rivers said. “If you’re going to go the letter of the law, you kind of knew he was going to go. But I think if you really want to stop fights, you’ve got to suspend the agitators, too. I think right now, the agitator gets fined, the retaliator is getting suspended in all of these incidents. Until they stop the agitator and fine them and suspend them both, you’re going to continue to have these things.”
Richardson was surprised by his penalty.
“I was, but you know, it’s something that’s happened, and it’s over with,” the Heat guard said. “I’m just moving on, looking forward to Game 2 now.”
Richardson was less surprised by Garnett’s suspension.“That’s how it’s been in the past,” he said.
Herald: Doc Rivers has a 'Q' for league officials
Suggestions for chants so far:
BRANDI DUMPED YOU (CLAP... CLAP... CLAP CLAP CLAP)
PIERCE IS BETTER (CLAP... CLAP... CLAP CLAP CLAP)
QUENNNNNNNTIIIIIIIIIIIIN......... QUENNNNNNNNNTIIIIIIIIIN.....
I'll be at the Garden... trying to lead the balcony in the utter destruction of Quentin Richardson.
Thanks Loscy for the photo.The rest of the links
Herald: Davis, Wallace give Celtics 2 options | Celtics must repeat little things | KG searching for positives | Globe: Taking an outside shot | Swift action was right call | Heat plan to use elbow grease in attack | ESPN Boston: Fire Hazard! | The "18" is back | CSNNE: Sheed? Baby? Who do you go with? | Celtics: Wallace's world in KG's absence | WEEI: Sheed or Baby in Game 2? | Doc: Supsend the agitator too | C's and Heat will seek emotional rescue in game 2 | Ball Don't Lie: Why we don't like KG anymore | Souza: Wallace warns of Wade factor with officials