Tuesday, March 31, 2015

ESPN Picks Up Celtics-Pistons Game


The Celtics will be on national TV for the first time this season after ESPN elected to air next Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons.

Celtics, one of five teams fighting for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, replaced ESPN's scheduled Toronto Raptors-Charlotte Hornets game. The Celtics will play before the Phoenix Suns-Dallas Mavericks game, part of ESPN's Wednesday night doubleheader.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Celtics 116 - Hornets 104: Boston Survives, Bradley Dominates

Avery Bradley exploded tonight for 30 points as the Boston Celtics got a huge win against the Charlotte Hornets, 116-104. In a game that was vital in positioning for one of the final spots in the playoffs, the Celtics were launched back into the 8th seed in the East after a great performance all around.

Podcast - Celtics Postseason Chances

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The CausewayStreetBlog.com writers are back after a month off (due to snow storms and illness) in this jam packed episode discussing the Celtics' postseason chances, Brad Steven's progress so far and of course the NBA's tight MVP race with special guest: Boston Herald / WEEI's Chris Villani. Plus how the Eastern Conference playoff picture is shaping up, and much more! Enjoy.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Clippers 119 - Celtics 106: Los Angeles dominates at TD Garden, knock C's out of playoff picture

Associated Press

The Clippers gave the Celtics a dose of reality last night.

After beating the uninspired Knicks at New York Friday night, the Celtics suffered their third straight home loss, losing to the Clippers 119-106. Los Angeles dominated Boston for three straight quarters, if the Celtics didn't outscore the Clippers 27-14 in the fourth the final score would have looked a lot worse.

J.J. Redick scored a game-high 27 points and Chris Paul led a magnificent offense while scoring 21 points and dishing out 10 assists. Blake Griffin also had a terrific game, scoring 21 points to go with his 9 rebounds.

And the Celtics had no answer for DeAndre Jordan in the paint. He scored 15 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Celtics Playoff Push

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After a much needed Celtics 96-92 win last night over the struggling Knicks, Brad Stevens has his group at 32-40 and in the playoff picture. They are a half a game up over the Brooklyn Nets with just 10-regular season games to go. The good news is six of the remaining games are at the TD Garden, where the C's are 18-18. The bad news is only 2.5 games separate the 7th through the 11th seed. Plus all seven teams left to face already own a win or two over the Celts and with the exception of the Pistons (depending how you view them), all have something to play for.

Here's a look at the Eastern Conference (6th -12th seed) battling for a postseason birth:

Friday, March 27, 2015

Celtics 96 - Knicks 92: C's Stay in Playoff Picture

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New York - There is nothing like playing the Knickerbockers after a tough loss. Such was the case for this playoff push the Celtics currently see themselves in. If Wednesday night proved anything, it's that the C's needed a 'pick me up' and what better place to find it this season than Madison Square Garden right? Boston just so happened to take advantage of the struggling Knicks and escape with a 96-92 victory.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Heat 93 - Celtics 86: C's Lose Season Series to Miami

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Boston - With a tough five-games in seven-days schedule this week for the Celtics, Wednesday was an opportunity not only to remain in the playoff picture as the eighth seed, but even jump to seventh, ahead of their opponent for the night; the Miami Heat. No Dwayne Wade or Hassan Whiteside proved too good to be true for the C's, who struggled through three quarters to keep up with the visitors from South Beach and ended in their second straight loss at the TD Garden, with a final score of 93-86.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Top-Five Moments of the Heat-Celtics Rivalry

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The Celtics Heat rivalry was a ton of fun to watch over the years. At it's apex it was the two best teams in the East going at it (The last two Conference champs in the last five-years). It was old school vs new school. It was Pierce vs LeBron. Big Three vs Big Three. It was Walter 'Ray' Allen joining the enemy. It was die-hard Boston fans (Causeway Street) vs fair weather Miami fans (South Beach).  It was the changing of the guard, as the Celtics were coming off their dominant years and the Heat began to take over the league. It was possibly the most anticipated matchup in the NBA for a three-year stretch.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Thunder 122 - Celtics 118: Westbrook leads Thunder past C's, snap five-game win streak

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Russell Westbook's 36-point stellar performance reminded the league why he's a top MVP candidate, overshadowed Marcus Smart's career night and snapped a five-game winning streak in a 122-118 Thunder win.

Westbrook scored 15 of his 36 points in the third quarter, a 12-minute stretch where the Thunder put up 40 points and headed towards the fourth with a 93-81 lead.

The C's tried to crawl back in the fourth behind an 11-4 mid-quarter run. But the Thunder cemented their lead at the free throw line, shooting 12-for-12 in the last two minutes and the Celtics never recovered.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Celtics assign James Young to D-League

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Celtics rookie James Young was assigned to the Maine Red Claws yesterday afternoon and joined the D-League affiliated squad just before they played against the Grand Rapids Drive.

Young posted 20 points and 5 rebounds last night in his first game with Maine since late January. He's averaging 23.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game this season as a member of the Red Claws.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Celtics 108 - 76ers 89: C's Win 5th Straight in Playoff Push


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Remember after the loss to the Orlando Magic last week everyone was worried that the Celtics play down to their competition when playing a lesser opponent?  The Celtics put that theory to bed as they crushed the perennial Tankopalooza Championship Belt Holders in their fifth straight victory, which also catapulted them into a 3-way tie for the last two spots in the playoffs.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Green has no hard feelings towards the C's, says 'It's a business'

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Wednesday night was Jeff Green's first visit to the TD Garden since being dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies two-months ago. It was a quiet return for the forward who put up 11 points (4-of-13 shooting), 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 31 minutes of action against his former team. The Celtics ended up winning the ball game 95-92, bringing their record to 15-13 since the swap that sent 'Uncle Jeff' to the Western Conference.

Celtics 95 - Grizzlies 92: Bradley, Smart finish off Memphis

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There was no room for error. After finding out they would be playing without their scorer, Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics put together one last run in the fourth quarter and beat the Memphis Grizzlies 95-92, last night at TD Garden.

Avery Bradley, who returned to the lineup after missing three games with a sprained elbow, scored a team-high 17 points. His biggest shot of the night was a jump shot over Marc Gasol with 7.9 seconds left that sealed the win.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Brad Stevens Making Playoffs a Reality


If you take a quick look at the current Celtics Roster, one would come to the perfectly sane conclusion that they have absolutely no business being in the hunt for the playoffs. Yet, going into a game against the  Memphis Grizzlies, the C’s are only 2 games back of the 7th and 8th seed in the East.

Three things we learned from Celtics' three-game road trip

Associated Press

The Celtics had a good road trip. They won two games, lost one but are only two games behind the Charlotte Hornets in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Before the C's welcome back old friend Jeff Green and the Memphis Grizzlies, here are three things we learned from the Celtics' three-game road trip.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Celtics 104 - Pelicans 98: Isaiah Thomas leads the C's past Pelicans

Associated Press

After finding out he wasn't in the starting lineup for the injured Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas proved why he's the Celtics' best offensive weapon.

Thomas scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, and pushed the Celtics to their first double-digit lead of the night against the Pelicans. Thomas kicked off the fourth by scoring three consecutive three-pointers, topping off an 11-3 Celtics run.
"I like fourth quarters, I guess. I get a little aggressive in the fourth. I'm comfortable in the fourth," Isaiah Thomas said after the game. "It's not for everybody... I like close games. I like being the guy."

Friday, March 6, 2015

The Emergence of Jae Crowder

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The highly controversial return the Celtics received in the Rajon Rondo trade is still a touchy subject for some Celtics fans. The Mavericks sent a protected first rounder with Brandon Wright, Jameer Nelson, and Jae Crowder. Let's face it, the first round pick was the main cog in this blockbuster but at the time Wright was looked at as the key player in the deal that could help the C’s right away. However, after the dust has settled Jae Crowder is the one making the pain of losing Rondo a little less harsh.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Bradley Out With Elbow Injury


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Celtics guard Avery Bradley did not travel with the team on Thursday due to a left elbow strain. The veteran will miss Friday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

JaVale McGee signing falls through, will not be joining the Celtics

USA TODAY

Welp, that was brief.

It seemed like the JaVale McGee to the Celtics deal was done. A deal that reportedly included a one-year option for next season with the Celtics, fell through Thursday afternoon when both sides couldn't come to an agreement on the terms for next year's option.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Celtics were willing to offer McGee a one-year team option for next season. McGee, who's going to be a free agent this summer, instead wanted next year's one-year option to be a player option.

C's Set to Sign McGee

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The Celtics (24-35) are currently two-games behind a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. It looks like they might be making a run towards the postseason if they are looking to add more front court help.

ESPN's Jeff Goodman first reported that the C's are set to sign forward/center; JaVale McGee through next season.

Marcus Smart Wins Rookie of the Month Honors

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The NBA named Celtics starting point guard; Marcus Smart Eastern Conference's Rookie of the Month for February on Wednesday.

Celtics 85 - Jazz 84: Zeller's Buzzer Beater Snaps C's Skid

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Boston - It was not only parquet pride uniform night, but Noche Latina at the TD Garden on Wednesday. The Celtics were also looking to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff picture and snap a two-game losing streak in the process. It wasn't the prettiest of basketball games, but Tyler Zeller saved the day with a reserve layup before time expired to beat the Jazz 85-84.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Cavs 110 - Celtics 79: Cavs blowout C's at Cleveland

USA TODAY

It was an ugly performance, as ugly as it's ever looked for coach Brad Stevens and the Celtics.

At the end of the first quarter the Cleveland Cavaliers were up, 29-16 and pushed their lead to over 40 points in the second half.

After extending their lead to 30-something points for most of the third quarter, the Cavs hit a 44-point lead when former Celtic Kendrick Perkins (how fitting) sank a hook shot in the first two minutes of the fourth, giving the Cavs a 100-56 lead.

LeBron James scored 27 points in 25 minutes for Cleveland, and moved into 21st place on the NBA's career scoring list when he scored a layup in the third quarter. James passed his former teammate, and former Celtic, Ray Allen on the list.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Isaiah Thomas named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

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Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas earned himself the NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors, becoming the first Celtic this season to win the award.

Thomas, who was traded to Boston less than two weeks ago, has been one of the league's best scorers since the all-star break.

Thomas averaged 22 points, 6.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds. He also shot an impressive 54 percent from the field and led the Celtics to a 3-1 record.