Sports Redux: That's More Like It

It's not a cure-all, by any stretch. But last night, the Celtics played the kind of game exactly like we've been hoping for, as they raced out to an early lead against Detroit, and - wait for it - held on throughout, for a 119-93 whupping. We needed that.

Detroit, which was an Eastern Conference power like 20 minutes ago, looked like they didn't belong in the same building, and it got even worse for them when a full-speed collision knocked Tayshaun Prince out of the game late in the first. Meanwhile, Paul Pierce, who basically was the offense until that point, got himself in foul trouble while trying to contain the subtly loathsome Rip Hamilton. But no matter. Everyone chipped in while Pierce sat on the bench, with particular tips of the hat to Big Baby (13 off the bench) and Michael Finley (15 points, including a flurry of shots that might just have brushed the bottom of the net on the way down).

Still, even after a satisfying win, two things gravely concern us. One is that Dan Shaughnessy has opined that this team can and will turn it on in the playoffs. Even as veteran Shaughnessy-watchers, we're scratching our heads at this. Does he really believe it? Is he just doing it to set up a "you suckers" column after they lose in the playoffs? Is he doing a performance art piece in which he calls others negative to recast himself as something he's not? This is puzzling. But not as puzzling as our second concern, which is that the Garden saw a wave in the stands last night. Folks. No. For God's sake, no. We know that you miss Scalabrine, and it's really boring in the long stretches between Jumbotron montages. But please, for the love of all that's holy, spend that time in the Pro Shop looking for the perfect pink hats, and NOT DOING THE FREAKING WAVE, especially when Garnett is at the free throw line. Keep this up and we're three games away from "Sweet Caroline" and the headline "Bostonist blogger stopped at security with sniper rifle". Do it - or, more accurately, don't - for us.

The Bruins, meanwhile, haven't completely sunk out of sight, but they're doing their best, digging a big hole in New Jersey last night and falling to a 3-2 loss. After going down 3-0 in the first, Blake Wheeler scored in the second, and Patrice Bergeron closed the lead to one in the final minutes, but that was it. They have one game left on this season-defining road trip (well, we said it would define their season, and it's been inconsistent and disappointing, so there) before their eagerly awaited upcoming homestand against Pittsburgh (bloodlust) and the Rangers (actually relevant to the standings).

Mike Lowell took a turn at 1B yesterday, as the Sox lost to Baltimore but Lowell showed some versatility. We also learned today that David Ortiz thinks spring training is worthless. We could point out here that it took two months of last season for Papi to begin to resemble a major league baseball player, but that might be mean and ungrateful.