Sports Redux: Game One, Won

Kinda feels like we stole one, doesn't it?

The Celtics were supposed to be drained, physically and emotionally, from two long series and an emotional, close Game Seven win over Cleveland. The Pistons - bloodless, businesslike, and used to this - were well-rested after dispatching Orlando back in late February (seems like it anyway). Instead, the Pistons played like a rusty old team with a banged-up superstar, and the C's dispatched them 88-79. Or maybe no team actually has a prayer at the Garden.

Offensively, the Celtics had a nice balance. Kevin Garnett, playing a solid, efficient game, leading all scorers with 26. Pierce, bound to come back to earth after his masterpiece against Cleveland, still slashed and popped his way to 22. Rajon Rondo had 11, including two big shots down the stretch to seal the game. Ray Allen - well, we love Ray Allen.

The difference in this game, though, was defense. Piston big men Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess barely got in the paint at all. Ray, to his credit, stuck to Rip Hamilton and kept him from getting anything near hot. And the experienced outside shooting of Detroit never really materialized. As for the Celts' 10 steals (five by Rondo), the Detroit Free Press says "it was like watching a police video on purse snatchings". Detroit is also very worried about Chauncey Billups' injury. Also in the Free Press, there's an article to read if you forget why we hate the Pistons.

Game Two is tomorrow night; we'll see if the rust is gone and the Pistons will be their usual tougher selves, or if the C's have hit their stride. There were some plays last night that looked a lot more like the Cruising Winter Celtics than the Spring Hesitant Celtics. But Detroit knows how this works. Should be another good one.

Another day, another gem by a Red Sox youngster. Justin Masterson couldn't follow Lester's no-hitter, of course, but he did great, scattering three hits and only getting touched for one run in the Sox' 2-1 win over Kansas City. Things got scary in the eighth when a double and two walks loaded the bases, but Papelbon blew Billy Butler away to end the threat, and 1-2-3'd the Royals in the ninth for save #13. Bartolo Colon makes his Fenway debut tonight. The kids have given the Big Fella a tough act to follow.

We'd be remiss if we didn't point out that Alex Rodriguez returned to the Yankee lineup last night, and is already doing what he does best. That's right; he homered to make a 10-0 game 10-2.

Photo from the author's Flickr collection.