The Celtics lost to the Knicks in NBA preseason play, but continue to show good depth.
HARTFORD – Dionte Christmas had what will likely be his lone chance to stare down Jason Kidd in the final minute of an overtime game, and he made the right play.
But Micah Downs could not convert after catching Christmas’ pass, Jamar Smith missed a desperation heave on the Celtics’ final possession and Boston fell 98-95 in NBA preseason action Saturday night at the XL Center.
Keeping in mind that any conclusions drawn during preseason must come with an asterisk (*none of these games actually matter to a team’s record) and that the Knicks played without Amar'e Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert and Marcus Camby, the Celtics continued to show that versatility and depth are more than buzzwords thrown around to describe them during the offseason.
Jeff Green came off the bench to score 12 points, all in the first half, continuing to show signs of aggression that evaded him at the end of 2011. He posted up smaller defenders and drove around slower ones. During one sequence, he drove past his defender for a dunk that inspired several “whoas” from the press box, then drilled a 3-pointer from the corner on Boston’s very next play.
“I think his confidence is pretty high. He’s been terrific,” coach Doc Rivers said. “We just have to keep him going.”
Brandon Bass, whose starting spot is in question partly because of Jared Sullinger’s emergence, started but didn’t contribute much (five points, three rebounds). No worries there – the Celtics know they can rely on Bass to provide solid defense and accurate mid-range shooting.
Sullinger (14 points, seven rebounds) won’t always have the advantage of being defended by Steve Novak, but the rookie continued to display the basketball intelligence and rebounding ability that has Beantown excited. Both times New York double-teamed Sullinger, he found an open teammate – once, he pivoted and found Jason Terry open crosscourt for a triple.
Birthday boy Paul Pierce had 12 points, Rajon Rondo pitched in nine and seven rebounds, and Kevin Garnett remains one of the league’s greatest two-way big-men. Yet the offensive burden on Rondo, Pierce and Garnett this season should be smaller.
“I love (playing with this team),” Terry said. “Me, I’m always looking to make the extra pass anyway. Guys get on me sometimes when I pass up shots, but I always figure, if you have a good shot, why not get a great shot? And it’s fun. Everybody gets to touch it and the ball spreads and moves around.”
Beyond Green and Sullinger, several other bench members proved helpful. Terry never patched together a trademark scoring outburst, but finished with nine points and continues to contribute with underrated court vision. Courtney Lee has been overshadowed this preseason, but he finished with 11 points and helped in a variety of ways.
At least one issue remained for the Celtics from last season: They didn’t record their first offensive rebound until midway through the first quarter. This against a Knicks team missing two frontcourt starters and often playing Novak at power forward.
The Celtics also struggled against pick-and-rolls, allowing several alley oops and other easy finishes at the rim.
The good news, Rivers said, is the defensive issues are “very fixable.”
The Celtics have won games primarily because of a stifling defense since acquiring Garnett in 2007, and that isn’t likely to change. But if the first three exhibitions are any indication, scoring shouldn’t be such a major issue this year in New England.