Sports Redux: Celtics Go Up To Eleven

Even with all the awesomeness that was the Celtics' 2007-08 season - the championship, the 66 wins, the beating every team in the league, the blowout of the Lakers - they never managed to win eleven in a row. This season, however, is barely a month old and the C's have already done that. They earned #11 by beating Portland, 93-78, in a game that featured more drama than the final score would indicate.

First, let's look at the numbers: all five starters and Leon Powe were in double figures. Rajon Rondo returned partway down Mount Olympus after Wednesday's triple-double, submitting a pedestrian 16/8/7 (we're trying to raise expectations). Ray Allen led the charge with 19. But there was a little hiccup, as Portland roared back from a 25-point deficit to make it a close game in the fourth, and make Doc put the starters back in.

Kevin Garnett had some choice words for the subs, especially Glen Davis. But he was diplomatic after the game, saying he'll "research the problem" of Big Baby's apparent sophomore slump. Doc was miffed, too; after the game he said, "I’m not even going to get into it about our bench right now." The bench will probably be without Tony Allen again tomorrow in Indiana.

BC goes for revenge this afternoon, as they face Virginia Tech in their second straight ACC championship game. The winner goes to the Orange Bowl, which reminds us of the great story when Lou Holtz was pelted with oranges by fans at a pre-Orange Bowl rally. "I'm glad we're not going to the Gator Bowl," he said. For BC's part, they admit they were lucky to squeak by the Hokies 28-23 in the regular season, and acknowledge they'll have to play better this time.

If you missed this week's drama in the NHL, it's kind of funny. Dallas' mouthy bad boy Sean Avery is in a world of trouble after his pregame comments the other night: ""I'm really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about, but enjoy the game tonight." See, Avery used to date Elisha Cuthbert, who's now dating a player from Calgary, and also dated Rachel Hunter, who's now dating a Kings player. The ladies will probably be flocking to Avery now, now that he's suspended for six games and has no friends left in the Dallas locker room. Maybe some jackass-management classes will turn him around.