Great win against a team that, I don't care what the record says, I still consider a contender in the West. Couple things I scribbled down: -Raef was great in this game, only 7 points but played great defense and was huge on the boards. He's still moving awkwardly with his knee, and I don't think he'll ever get back fully where he was, but that just makes his play the last couple weeks that much more impressive. -Pierce is making a late charge at being named an All-Star and while I don't think it'll get him in the game, I think its no coincidence that the team has played batter during that stretch. Paul's the rudder - he determines which way the team is going. -If this was an audition for a team that's going to be in the bidding for him, I think Payton just upped his asking price a little. He had a great duel with Cassell. -I watched this game in a luxury box in Alltel stadium. While that has nothing to do with basketball, I just felt like bragging. -I need someone to explain to me why Walter was in the lineup down the stretch of the game. Honestly, did Doc forget to make a substitution? -Telling moment: the Celtics threw Perk at Kandi-man in an effort to slow him down. Not a good sign for Blount, who's strength is suppossed to be defense. -According to Doc Rivers, we have different goals than Minnesota: "It's amazing, we're at .500 and ecstatic. They're at .500 and think the world is crumbling around them." Great win and with the Bucks, Clippers and Knicks ahead, the Celtics have a chance to make some headway in the division. Here's hoping the take advantage.
