In 2008, the Celtics won 19 straight games before going to Los Angeles for a Christmas day showdown with the Lakers. They lost that one, starting a run of losing seven of nine games. In 2009, the Celtics capped off a 14-1 stretch with a win over the Magic on Christmas. They then dropped three straight games out west and spent the month of January playing sub-.500 ball.
Just like their annual pre-Christmas binge, the Celtics seemed to have developed a habit for going in a corresponding funk after the holidays.
That bit of history was duly noted over the first 18 minutes against the Pacers Tuesday night, when the Celtics were slow to rotate, hesitate to pass and generally looked like they’d rather be anywhere but Indianapolis. The Celtics ultimately prevailed, 95-83 (click here for a full recap), but not before shaking themselves out of funks in both the first and second halves.
The good news for the Celtics is this is not 2009 when the losses started piling up in direct relationship to injuries to Kevin Garnett and especially to Paul Pierce. Those two are healthy and playing like it. The disturbing part of Tuesday’s game, however, is that they allowed themselves to play in spurts that were alternately maddening and dominating.
Every team in the NBA goes through stretches like this during the 82-game grind and the Celtics have a ready-made -- and extremely viable excuse -- with the ankle injury to Rajon Rondo that has sapped their offensive flow.
But it’s a trend the Celtics would be wise to snap out of quickly because over the next two weeks they will play nine games, and that’s just the beginning. Mixed in with the Minnesota’s and Toronto’s on the schedule are dates with San Antonio, Chicago and a rejuvenated Houston team.
All that takes place before a rematch with Orlando on Jan. 17 and a trip out west to play the Lakers to close out the month. All the while, the Miami Heat continue to win games. The next month is likely to be the defining stretch of the Celtics regular season, and while no one expects them to play all 82 like its Game 7, they can’t afford to let games slip away that they should have no problem winning.
Here are three key takeways from their win, flawed as it was:
QUIS WAS THE KEY
First things first: Marquis Daniels has never lacked for confidence on a basketball court. It’s just that when he has a bad night, his style of play lends one to believe that he is not being assertive enough, which in turn, leads one to believe that he somehow lacks the confidence to play his game. Not true.
Daniels is a lot like Pierce – albeit without Pierce’s All-Star skill level – in that he plays at his own pace: measured, slow, even laconic.
As it turned out, that pace was exactly what the Celtics needed because they were playing too fast and too hurried in their halfcourt offense. The key moment came when Nate Robinson banged heads with Indiana’s Mike Dunleavy and had to be taken back to the locker room for stitches.
With no other options, Doc Rivers turned to Daniels and he immediately realized that 6-foot-nothing guard T.J. Ford had no chance against him if he posted him up. Two easy hoops later, the Celtics were on their way.
“Marquis being able to guard two small points guards and controlling our offense at the same time was huge for us,” Doc Rivers told reporters in Indiana. “He’s not going to do it too it fast. I thought all of us were going too fast offensively with quick shots. In some way Marquis kind of slowed everyone down and made sure we got into something every time down.”
Daniels finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes of work in what was his best overall game of the season. You’ll no sooner see Daniels pound his chest like KG than you will see Garnett smile on the court. It’s just not his way. But don’t mistake that for a lack of effort, or confidence in his abilities.
RAJON RONDO CAN’T RETURN SOON ENOUGH
The hope, as articulated by Rivers before the game, is that Rondo can return to action Friday when the Celtics host the Hornets on New Year’s Eve. That would also put Rondo on track to battle Chris Paul, which is not really the point, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
The Celtics can afford to be patient with Rondo, who was in a walking boot and on crutches for a few days after his ugly ankle injury suffered against the Knicks two weeks ago. Rondo had also been dealing with a plantar fasciitis and a strained hamstring, so any time off is welcome.
And the Celtics have been winning games – they are 4-1 since the injury and 7-2 without their point guard. But the last few games have been a struggle and while it’s unfair to put all of that on Nate Robinson, his recent play hasn’t helped matters.
Robinson was 3-for-8 against Indiana, which followed up a 2-for-15 showing against Orlando and a tough outing against Philadelphia. The Celtics had 18 assists on 37 makes against the Pacers, which was inflated thanks to a hot fourth quarter and Daniels’ steady hand. Still, that’s the most assists they’ve had in a game since Rondo got hurt and a far cry from their average of 25 per game.
The result has been a lot of stagnant offense and one-pass-and-shoot possessions, which is not their game. The Celtics can get by without Rondo, but they are a much different team when he’s not in the lineup.
If you were looking for proof of his importance, the last five games have provided enough.
IS SHAQ A MARKED MAN?
Shaquille O’Neal was fined $35,000 by the league following his comments after the Orlando game in which he fouled out after just 13 minutes. Shaq lasted just 16 minutes against the Pacers before getting an early exit.
Shaq is averaging almost six fouls per 36 minutes, which is the highest mark of his career and that has led some to wonder if he’s being marked for an early death by the officials. “It’s not like this has been going on all year,” Rivers said. “It’s just a stretch he’s going through. He’ll work his way out.”
Frankly, part of Shaq’s foul trouble is simply related to his age. He just doesn’t move as well as he used to, and teams are targeting him. The Celtics have done a good job of hiding Shaq in the inevitable pick and rolls that comes his way. (Here again, is another problem related to Rondo’s absence as he is simply a better defender than Robinson, both on the ball and in pick and roll stituations).
The good news is that Rondo should be back soon and Jermaine O’Neal is also working his way back into playing condition. Jermaine O’Neal gave the Celtics decent minutes in the second half and if nothing else, offers size, smarts and experience that Semih Erden simply doesn’t have yet.
All of that ultimately, is what has separated this year’s Celtics team from the ones that started fast and then dipped after the new year. They’re key players are healthier and there is far greater depth than in years past.
Tuesday’s game could have been a harbinger of a bad things to come, but the Celtics fought through their malaise and found a way to win. As long as it doesn’t become a habit, they will take the results however they get them.