Random Ramblings

It’s Christmas day and while most people are likely enjoying some Christmas cocktails and opening presents I’ve decided to spend this non-holiday (I’m Jewish) hunkered in front of the TV.

What to watch? Well, the NBA and NFL have delivered in the form of two marquee NBA matchups with the Celtics and Magic facing off in a Eastern Conference battle; along with the Cavs faces the Lakers or as I like to call it, the Lebrons facing the Kobes.

And to top it all off we get to watch the Titans and Chris Johnson face the Chargers and Phillip Rivers. Not a bad day of sports TV. Thanks Santa!

Celts vs. Magic, 2:30 tip off, NBA on ABC

2:55 p.m.- Sorry, am off to a slow start. Celts down by three eight minutes into the first. The first quarter has been mared by way too many whistles. I love David Stern for delivering with two great games, but I hope his refs don’t blow it by being the proverbial grinch and ruining everybodys Christmas fun.

3:05 p.m.- After the first the Celtics are down by one, 19-18. Now that I got my shiz together I’ll give you my keys to the game:

Celts: With Paul Pierce out the Green are already at a huge disadvantage. They’ll need big games from Rondo, Ray and Garnett, but what they’ll need more than anything is for Tony Allen to give them quality minutes. If Tony doesn’t show up look for Bill “Sky” Walker or who knows, maybe even J.R. Giddens to get a look.

Magic: We all know the Magics game. Shoot threes. Give it to Dwight and play good defense. They’ve been doing a decent job so far this season with second best record in the Eastern Conference.  Also Jameer Nelson is back from injury, which should help their chances of going 2-0 vs. the C’s.

3:15- Four minutes into the second quarter and it’s a three point game. The refs have swallowed the whistles and there  is finally a flow. A Christmas miracle? Nah, not yet. I don’t wanna jinx it.

3:20- ABC just had a promo for the final season of Lost! I’m so excited I can’t hold a thought it my head.

And we have a Big Baby sighting! And he gets a rebound. He looks good. I was half expecting for him to look like Tractor Taylor.

3:25- I must say I’m digging the Celtics combo of red and green. Very festive! Still a one point game as Rondo gets called for an offensive foul.

3:27- Vince Carter is the games leading scorer so far with 10 and Rondo’s right behind him with 8. Is it just me or has Vince Carter’s season gone under the radar? He’s never been on a elite team in his career. He’s become the Magics go-to crunch-time scorer due to Howards Shaqian free-throw numbers. If he can keep it up his legacy might be changed forever from whiner who kept getting “injuried” when his teams were sucking to a potential margee player for a title contender.

3:33- And the Celtics take the lead on a Rond- steal-coast-to-coast and-one; C’s fans have seen that a few times this season from ‘Jon. 28-25 Celts. Remember when I said the refs swallowed their whistles, well I clearly jinxed it with a 30-25 score with four minutes left in the half. Sure these are two defensive teams, and sure they might be a little rusty/pissed off that they have to play on Christmas, but it’s just easier to crap on the refs. They’re an easy scapegoat.

3:37- The Celtics have been looking great at the end of this half, led by Rondo, and wait for it… Tony Allen! He’s a scrapper and that’s exactly what he’s doing. Tony has had a tough run of it in the past three years. First he blew out his knee. Then he had to deal with death threats from people he had beef with back in Chi Town. Then he had one nagging injury after another. That couple with inconsistent play contributed to jabs and barbs from Celtics fans. Hopefully the Pierce injury will allow him to get his confidence back and he’ll become a contributing player down the stretch.

3:43- The Magic scored a putrid 8 points in the second quarter and the Celtics have opened up a double digit half time lead, 38-27. Orlando shot 10-40 from the field in the quarter… gross. Ron Jeremy.. err.. I mean Stan Van Gundry will have to rile up the troops at half.

4 p.m.- At half the Celtics lead by 11 with Rajon Rondo leading the way with 13 points and 7 boards, but Rondo will have to cut back on his game high 6 turnovers for the Celts to come out on top. The Green are leading in rebounding with a 26-18 advantage and fast break point with an 11-2 edge. Turnovers are even so far with both teams tallying 13 each.

For Orlando, Dwight Howard is going to have to get more involved with only 2 points and 5 turnovers in 20 minutes of play. Carter has been the teams high scorer with 10, but went cold halfway through the second quarter.

4:06- Nice story about Walker Allen during halftime. Walker is Ray Allen’s son who was diagnost with juvinile diabetes during the Celtics 2007 run to the title. A scary moment for any parent, Allen dealt with it better than most. Shooting the lights out on way to his first title.

4:12- One reason for Dwight Howards poor play? Kendrick Perkins is having a fantasic run in the past month and a half. Defensivly he’s been one of the best bigs in the NBA, but offensively he’s started to have a more well rounded game. He’s tallied five double-doubles in the past two weeks. Can you say reserve center for the All-Star game? Get your votes in cause he deserves it. Along with Rondo.

4:20- Finally a flow to this game! Back and fourth scoring! Carter has taken over the game and now has 16 points to lead all scorers, but the C’s still lead by 12.

4:23- Rondo signed a 5-year extension earlier in the season and he’s earning it today. Halfway through the third and he’s already got a double-double. With rebounds nonetheless! Vote! Now! Please!

I just hope he doesn’t make me look like a smuck and complete the anti-triple-double considering he also has 7 turnovers.

4:30- And Santa shows up! And he has a Tiger dig! Wow, Santa is not pulling his punches at all.

4:33- How long is  it gonna take for the Celtics to realize Brian Scalabrine is a terrible 3-point shooter? HE SUCKS! I’m sorry. I’m not a fan of the red head who sounds like something you’d order in the North End.

4:40- Lewis was fouled on a three and makes it a 7 point game, but Ray takes it right back with a beautiful three off a screen.

4:41- At the end of three quarters the Celts have a 8 point lead. The combo of Rasheed Wallace and Perkins have given Howard fits all day. Howard has doubled his first half production, but that’s not saying much. He’s got only 4 points in the game.

4:48- Allen and ex-teammate Rashard Lewis have been matching baskets to start this fourth quarter. In the conference finals last summer the student became the master as Lewis and the Magic up ended the Green in Game 7. However, the student might have been cheating on his tests. Lewis was suspended for 10 games at the begining of the season for violating the leagues drug policy. Intersting…

4:51- Great play from Rondo. Rebound-tip-pass to Sheed for the dunk. He’s creeping up on the nature triple-double now with 7 assists to go with his double-double.

Barnes free-bees make it 7 point game with 7 and change to go.

4:57- Amazing back and fourth action. The Magic can’t get it to go with five tries. Rondo strips the ball fron Nelson and goes behind the back to Tony Allen for the jam. Rondo has been the star in this game with 17 points, 13 boards and 8 assists. Celtics by 10.

5:02- The Celtics’ hussle and defense has made Orlando look bad in this game. With 2 minutes to play and only a 6 point game anything is possible. If Boston keeps up the energy and focus though they should be able to add on to their league best 12-1 record on the road.

5:10- Bad defense by the Celtics letting Jameer Nelson get a layup to make it a 4 point game, but great dish by Tony Allen to KG to get him to the charity strip.

KG drops both FT’s in to make it 6 point lead again with 1:08 left to go.

5:13- Lewis hits a three with 1:02 to go and just like that it’s a three point game, 78-75. KG hits the deck as well and comes off the court gingerly. Not the best two defensive possestion for the Celtics in the last two trips. Hopefully KG can regroup and the C’s and pull this one out.

5:15- Huge shot from Ray Allen to make it a 5 point game and on the other end Lewis finally misses a three with Ray grabbing the board. Ray will be headed to the free throw line with a chance to put the game out of reach.

Ray hits both and the lead is  to 7, 82-75. A hard fought defensive battle from two of the best in the league and it looks as though the Celtics will come out alive.

5:20- Final score from Orlando 86-77 Celtics. With all things considered, this is a huge win for the Celtics considering they were missing Pierce. Player of the Game has gotta be Rondo with 17 points, 12 boards and 8 assists. Goat of the Game goes to Dwight Howard. He may of had 20 boards and played great defense, but you have to get more than 5 point from you’re best scorer. Give credit to Perkins for great defense. Also give props to Tony Allen for filling in for Paul Pierce admirably.

I’m gonna go eat some dinner and will be right back with a live blog of the MVP-off, Kobe vs. LeBron.