Full Court Press: 5/7/05 Celtics vs. Pacers Game 7
By Jon Duke
Pacers 97 Celtics 70
Pacers Win Series 4-3
With all of the nostalgia and talk of Celtic victories in Game 7’s of past, there seemed to be momentum building towards a big win tonight for the guys in green. Despite extreme criticism of Paul Pierce, there seemed to be an air of confidence for the Celtics squad as they entered the deciding game of this opening Eastern Conference playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. But, in the end it wasn’t leprechauns or ghosts that crowned this evening’s victor, it was solid fundamental basketball that won out. Unfortunately for the 18,000 FleetCenter faithful, it was the 12 gentlemen from the Hoosier state that reigned supreme.
For the first 24 minutes of Game 7, the Celtics and Pacers went back and forth taking turns with the lead and not allowing either team to get far away from the other. Entering halftime with the Pacers up 35-33, both teams had numerous areas of improvement to look at in the locker room. Both teams struggled from the field in the first half, with both teams shooting under 40% from the floor, though Paul Pierce and Stephen Jackson did see success with 12 and 13 points respectively in the first two quarters. Though when the teams returned for the second half, the Celtics seemed to leave their game in the locker room.
Unlike in the first half when both teams seemed unable to find the bottom of the basket, after the mid point of the third quarter Pacers had difficulty missing shots, particularly 3 point shots. Many of Stephen Jackson’s first half points came on open 3-pointers that came as a result of his man collapsing to help defend Jermaine O’Neal. Beginning in the third quarter, and exploding in the fourth quarter, the Indiana Pacers seemingly made every single open 3-pointer they took. These open threes completely demoralized the already weak Celtics defense, and mortally wounded the psyche of this squad. As soon as Indiana pushed the lead beyond 14 with 4 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, the Celtics had been defeated.
The difference in Game 7, and in the series overall, was the experience, chemistry, and poise that the Pacers had developed during a number deep runs into the playoffs over the last few of years. Rick Carlisle, who was Coach of the Year in Detroit before being fired prior to last year, implemented systems on the offensive and defensive ends that the Pacer players used with a Patriots-like efficiency and effectiveness. Most NBA observers saw the Celtics entering the series with the edge in talent, but like the 3 time Super Bowl champs, the Pacers were truly greater than the sum of their parts. One could only imagine what this series could have looked like with Ron Artest and Jamaal Tinsley available from Game 1 on.
While the Pacers played well, this “humble scribe” believes it was the Celtics who beat the Celtics. Despite playing 88 games together the Celtics were completely unable to run their half court offense despite often times having the 3 best offensive players on the court wearing the home whites. More than any other factor, it was in the hearts and minds of the Celtics players that this game and series was lost. Paul Pierce and company was completely unable to pass, move without the ball, or make good decisions. You know things are going bad for your team when the most enjoyable part of the 2nd half came when Doc inserted “The Kids” with just over 4 minutes to go and the Celtics down more than 20 points.
Neither Antoine Walker nor Paul Pierce nor Gary Payton nor Ricky Davis was able to pull the Celtics out of their disastrous tailspin. Each of these men was unable to trust their teammates or work hard on their own to get open. Because these key performers spent time on the offensive end in manner resembling sedated nursing home residents, the ball sat stagnant and the Pacers’ defense moved from very good to friggin’ legendary. This is an absolutely crucial area that Doc and Danny must address this summer. If these guys, or anyone else on the Celtics roster wishes to play in this offense in that manner, then Danny Ainge absolutely must send them on the next $99 Acela Express out of town.
However, we’ll hold off on the post mortem for a later time. Right now, the anger and disappointment for the Celtics fans worldwide is at a season high. Our team came out and gave away a potentially season ending game in their own building against a less talented team. That, in and of itself, is reason enough to empty the liquor cabinet this evening and watch “Three Games to Glory III” and “Faith Rewarded” until sunrise. So, check back over the off-season, as the Full Court Press crew will periodically put together columns looking back at the season that was and look ahead to the big questions that face the Celtics this summer.
Until then, I will be polishing off Tangeray and Tonics in my Barcalounger and alternating between the five discs of “Dynasty Series: The Boston Celtics” until I hear David Stern utter the magic words, “and with the first pick in the 2005 NBA Draft…”