Celtics Clinch Playoff Spot with Victory of the Pistons

The game just finished, Celtics win 90-78 and I am still full of excitement following the victory. There were so many intense moments, I must have handed out a million high-fives during the 4th quarter when the Celtics held the Pistons to only 11 points. The Celtics put an end the Pistons 5-game winning streak and clinched a playoff berth with the victory.

The game was classic Celtics/Pistons, the fire was there, the intensity was present and the crowd at TD Banknorth Garden surely was alive. How about those Chauncey-Chauncey-Chauncey! chants that erupted after Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups was called for a technical foul? All I want to say is that if you are in the Eastern Conference you better hope to your savior that you DO NOT play a 7-game playoff series in Boston!

Personally I thought Rajon Rondo played a tremendous game and he brought so much intensity to the offense although it didn't show up in the stat sheet. However, Rondo still managed to score 16 points, which is still a tremendous contribution.

Late in the game when the Pistons were in foul trouble Rondo was doing the right thing attacking the basket trying to draw fouls. (Although he did have that short-jumper turned 3-point play that pretty much sealed the victory for the Celtics) Rondo was hustling up and down the court all night and I have to give credit for getting into Billups' head during the game. Rondo wasn't necessarily talking trash, but he was hustling more than Billups and playing hard-nosed defense against him. Despite Billups' huge 3rd quarter, Rondo shut him down the entire 4th quarter when it counted.

Kendrick Perkins also had a HUGE night on the boards, recording 20 rebounds (6 offensive/14 defensive). It was a career high for Perkins who also scored 10 points during the game.

Last but not least was Kevin Garnett's performance tonight. He scored a Celtics career high 31 points, 20 of which he scored in the 1st half. Garnett was all over the court and all of his offensive moves seemed to be working for him. When the Pistons figured out that Wallace could not contain Garnett they tried to pit rookie PF Amir Johnson against him, however their plan turned against them as Garnett made the rookie look foolish with his footwork inside the paint.

The Celtics host the Chicago Bulls at home Friday night on ESPN, game time is slated for 8:00pm. They are now 47-12 and have increased there home record to 27-4. On Friday they will be going for their 7th consecutive victory. Newly signed veteran guard Sam Cassell is expected to make his Celtics debut Friday night.