THE CAPTAIN AND THE...BOOTH?

Tonight Rondo's sitting out, still an impression will last,
As with Gorman he calls the game, his first broadcast!
Home and home, back to back, Cs' and Bulls' joints.
Noooo! Is Maxwell giving Rondo some talking points?

Bayless in for Rondo who says he creates his own shot,
A polite way of describing that dribbling habit he's got?
Can't argue with his competitiveness, he gets going!
He'd like to stay a Celtic, his skills he is showing.

Bulls Mascot dropping popcorn on Rondo's head.
Bulls a 6-0 run, Cs have not led.
BAYLESS FOR THREE! BAYLESS FOR THREE!
Cs a 10-2 run, then a lead we did see!

Rondo's doing a great job, Cs within 1 end Q1,
Cs great ball movement, some D, an 8-0 run!
OLYNYK FOR THREE! Johnson always comes to play--
So said Rondo--from his very first day.

Pressey great play at both ends of the floor!
Cs no transition D helps the Bulls score.
Bulls went on an 11-2 run,
Cs were up 9, then 2, when Q2 was done.

(Ugh) Maxwell in for Rondo to start Q3,
Second half AB is out, a sore ankle has he.
GREEN FOR THREE! Refs are ruling this game.
For them there's no consequence, it's a shame.

Bass overpowered Noah, used a little sky hook!
Cs aggressive on D--a new (great) look.
Bulls an 8-0 run, are the Cs out of gas?
Bench came in, rest for Green, Hump, Bass.

PRESSEY FOR THREE! Gotta close the quarter,
Well, said Rondo, who was a great reporter!
Cs within 1 to start Q4,
Bulls a 13-0 run, Cs can't score.

Cs relying on perimeter shooting, too tired for paint,
Noah's great in Q4s, missing shots the Bulls ain't.
BAYLESS FOR THREE! BAYLESS FOR THREE!
When the game looks over, his best skills we see.

Bass played great. Cs had heart, showed no quit!
Playoff hopes are gone, we'll get over it.
We're building with these pieces, we'll get more,
Next season we'll have a better team on the floor.

BIRDS OF PRAY

In odd NBA scheduling we're in Toronto tonight,
Raptors in Boston, now we're here--does that seem right?
Speaking of odd, it is happening twice in a row:
Bulls in Boston Sunday. Monday to Chicago Cs go.

No back to back Monday, broadcasting won't be the same,
Rondo, with Gorman, will call Q1, second Bulls game.
His stiff neck is better, GREEN FOR THREE!
Cs great ball movement Brad must be happy to see.

Bass has improved his game through hard work and will,
Tonight we discovered he has jump ball skill.
Raptors an 8-2 run, Cs within 6 end Q1,
BAYLESS FOR THREE! Raptors still on a run.

Salmons often has a great night against the Cs,
He always goes right! Someone notice--please!
SULLY FOR THREE! GREEN FOR THREE!
Enough DeMar DeRozan (great name)! Where's our D?

Rondo to Hump! To Hump! Cs a 15-5 run,
Lowry rolled his ankle twice, taping will be done.
Raptors outscored Cs in the paint, most teams do,
Cs within 3 at the end of Q2.

Cs back to back TOs, then AB FOR THREE!
Too much Hayes, Lowry and Ross for me.
Cs trying some D, Brad tells 'em play together,
Vasquez, Raptors 10-3 storm hard to weather.

Valanciunas is huge! Cs within 12 start Q4,
Bayless coast to coast! Bayless! We want more!
Cs vs....DeRozan. A Chris Johnson sighting,
Bayless angry and competitive, Cs keep fighting!

Great steal Pressey! Cs a 15-2 run,
BAYLESS FOR THREE! Cs Bench getting it done!
Tied! Under a minute! Great block by Green!
When we say he's athletic, that's what we mean!

We have a Johnson, Raptors have one, too,
7 seconds left, theirs gave 'em a lead of 2.
Cs came from way behind--a loss so slight,
Raptors made the playoffs with the win tonight.

NOTHING BUT...

In Brooklyn, no KG. Uni color looks off on PP.
Nets wearing sleeved jerseys--still look silly to me.
DWill vs Rajon Rondo: Size vs Speed,
AB FOR THREE! Ankle pain he doesn't need.

RONDO FOR THREE! BAYLESS FOR THREE!
It's all of the Cs against Mason Plumlee.
GREEN FOR THREE! Cs great, offensive glass,
Led early by Hump and Brandon Bass.

Been waiting for those moments--athletic Green!
Nets beating us in the paint, too often seen.
Cs within 6 to start Q2,
Watching AB take Livingston is fun to do!

Coach Adams has worked with Rondo and AB
Individual shooting drills, the proof we can see!
AB FOR THREE! CRAZY! AB FOR THREE!
Smiles exchanged among Green, Rondo and PP.

AB 23 in the half! Cs within 10 end Q2,
AB FOR THREE! Wow! What Plumlee can do!
Joe Johnson not missing; Cs playing no D,
Finally Bass on the inside--more of this let's see.

Cs shooting woes continue, Brad must feel faint,
Nets an obscene number of points in the paint.
Babb went to practice yesterday, bags all packed,
Until the last moment (phew) a contract he lacked!

Joe Johnson is scoring out of his mind,
Against the Cs his game he can find.
Cs within 16 to start Q4,
Who's our Go-To Guy who can consistently score?

BAYLESS FOR THREE! That's a start,
No matter the struggles these Cs play with heart.
At last, Athletic Green went hard to the hoop.
Pierce loves to play basketball--with any group!

Olynyk fouled out, terrible night for him,
He wasn't alone, Cs had no rhythm.
Nice block and D, Anthony, showed good hustle.
Nets fouling Sully using extra muscle.

Rondo double double. So quick is AB,
Kept us in the game early. Career high has he.
BABB FOR THREE! Cs weren't ever in it.
Nets played well, guess they deserved to win it.

I GOT...S-S-STEAM HEAT

First time Heat's in the building since last March,
Green great, but game was won by the enemy arch.
Oden is out, doesn't play back to back,
With back spasms Lebaby Miami does lack.

GREEN FOR THREE! Heat dominating in the paint,
Easy for them--shots from wherever the Cs ain't.
Beasley plays well against the Cs, always the same.
Haslem, in Q1, is already having a career game.

SULLY FOR THREE! SULLY FOR THREE!
Cs missing shots, not playing much D.
Cs were outrebounded, within 12 start Q2.
When Ray came in there was less yay than boo.

AB FOR THREE! Cs need some open court play,
Heat not much D, Cs could have their way.
BAYLESS FOR THREE! AB, OLYNYK FOR THREE!
Signs of the Old Ray Allen we don't want to see.

When the Cs move the ball they get down in the post,
Tho it's perimeter shooting they've been doing the most.
Interesting: Haslem born in Miami, there for high school,
College, too. 11 years on the Heat--cool.

GREEN FOR THREE! Cs within 6 start Q3,
Miami outrebounds no one--but us? How can that be?
Finally! Some pick and roll, Cs hard to the hoop,
Good to see other than threes from our group!

AB FOR THREE! Vintage Rondo--pass to Green,
First few minutes Q3 most moving we've seen.
Cs a brief lead, Heat a 6-0 run,
Down from their 71% shooting in Q1.

Heat got sloppy, back and forth went the lead,
Cs stopped walking the ball up, offense we need.
Bass, Cs great hustle, AB FOR THREE!
Green took a charge, great Q Bass and AB!

Improved shooting to 50%, Cs up 2 start Q4.
Olynyk's developing rhythm and learning to score!
AB FOR THREE! Coach Adams helped him, Rondo, too.
Different practice routines he makes each player do.

Tonight Rondo is clearly the King of the Assist,
Mostly because of the shots the Cs haven't missed.
All of a sudden the game got crazy,
Cs turned the ball over on passes so lazy.

Ninth tie of the game, (ugh) on free throws by Ray,
Heat's Chris Anderson hustles on every play.
Crowd confused, cheering both teams in Our Place,
Olynyk--inadvertent hit--has a bloody face.

Then Cs great ball movement! GREEN FOR THREE!
Career high threes--at six--for AB!
The Crowd has decided! They are roaring!
Bass stepped up, Rondo rebounding and scoring!

Cs, led by the Captain, had a game so nice--
One of only three teams to beat the Heat twice!
So the Season Series vs Heat goes to the Cs,
Coach, Fans, Players--everyone--this does please!

GOOD DAY TO THINK GREEN

Green struggles when Rondo is not in the game,
From AB and Bayless the ball never came!
Same kind of game for Brandon Bass,
Who was going to send him a pass?
Love Sully’s effort, also love Hump’s,
When these Cs play, could be down in the dumps.
But instead they have heart and are always in it,
One of these games we’re gonna win it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNY AINGE (anyway)

0 and 15 against the West a franchise record on the road,
Cs (playing the Mavericks) are carrying quite a load.
St. Patrick's Day unis, with those sleeves, who did choose
These unattractive jerseys,  Garanimals...or Underoos?

Hump great D, Bass and AB good start here,
Bass played for the Mavs early in his career.
BAYLESS FOR THREE! Hump incredible D,
I keep mentioning it because (please) a keeper is he!

Sully against Marion, better than Dirk was for him.
Playing pretty good D plus some offensive rhythm.
Johnson is bold, love when he goes hard to the hoop,
Playing both ends of the floor, wants to stay with this group.

Cs within 4 at the end of Q1
Cs went on an 8-0 run.
PRESSEY FOR THREE! JOHNSON FOR THREE!
Double the rebounds (Hump!) for the team with a C!

PRESSEY FOR THREE! Carter looks like...Carter,
Cs Bench, man for man, better than each starter.
Mavs an 11-3 run, Cs within 7 start Q3,
Sully game high in the half, 11 points has he.

Green in this game just doesn't look right,
He complained of a headache earlier tonight.
Sully came in and sparked the Cs!
GREEN FOR THREE! More offense please.

ATO, Cs went on a 9-0 run,
Brad said stay aggressive, this game's not done!
Olynyk took a charge, it was from Dirk,
For the kid a highlight, worth all the work!

Cs down 15, got within 3 start Q4,
Great play Sully, both ends of the floor!
Pressey great save, got his own rebound,
Lucky Chris Johnson was hanging around!

OLYNYK FOR THREE! Mavs have Harris and Wright,
Plus Dirk, Carter, Marion...made for a rough Cs night.
Tough OT last night (last 5 seconds were no fun),
Cs' turnovers are mounting, do we have one more run?

Crazy ball movement, BAYLESS FOR THREE!
Crazy ball movement, AB FOR THREE!
Cs--Bayless!--went on a crazy run,
Dirk had no assists til Q4 almost done.

BAYLESS FOR THREE! Then Dirk made a three,
The Cs on him have played great D.
2nd, 3rd, 4th chance Cs shot,
Cs within 1, great steal AB got!!

Again the clock winds down...in these Cs no quit,
Energy, will, hard work, heart...just can't win it.

WHO IS THE SMOOTHIE KING?

Smoothie King (?) Arena, N'Orleans, first road game of two.
Wyc is Rondo's biggest fan, hope his loyalty stays true.
Rivers in the house, not Doc, but his son.
Cs 0 and 13 out West--must win this one!

Good start: Green and Rondo hard to the hoop!
Silly Garanimals sleeved jerseys on our group.
Pellies? 'Cans?...a 13-0 run, in the paint,
All they have to do is go where the Cs ain't.

HUMP IS A BEAST! He stemmed the tide,
Hope in this off-season Cs extend his ride!
BAYLESS FOR THREE! Game has a quick pace,
Besides Bass' 25 guests, this is an empty place.

GREEN FOR THREE! Q1, both 50% shooting,
Cs within 2--Green's horn I am tooting!
AB making his way back, Sully's picks got him going,
Olynyk finding the hoop with just a narrow lane showing.

OLYNYK FOR THREE! JOHNSON FOR THREE!
Fancy passing from Pressey we did see.
Cs a 10-0 run; 'Cans athletic skill don't lack,
Within very few moments they got the lead back.

Bass great hustle, Hump's quick and smart;
Green, Rondo, AB, Olynyk all taking part.
GREEN FOR THREE! GREEN FOR THREE!
53% shooting (Green 20), Cs up 7 start Q3!

Cs continue to hustle, BAYLESS FOR THREE!
'Cans won't go away, now they're playing some D.
'Cans an 10-0 run, again took the lead,
Suddenly offense from the Cs is what we need.

Green had a great first half, seemed to fade Q3,
Needs better passes to him! JOHNSON FOR THREE!
Three quarters of this game did fly by,
To start Q4 Cs and 'Cans in a tie.

PRESSEY FOR THREE! Rivers can get to the rim,
Sully keeps shooting that three. Brad has to stop him.
Sully stopped (with a two!) 'Cans' 8-0 run,
Just for a moment...then the game wasn't fun.

Cs' turnovers are mounting, shooting isn't the same.
Ref Workman the only one who came from the game.
GREEN FOR THREE! Hump steal! Smart play,
"Score! Stop! Score!" is all Brad had to say.

Ok, I apologize! SULLY FOR THREE!
Career high for 'Cans' Davis we did see.
Sully was fouled three times, they called a jump ball?
AB got it--coast to coast--(ugh) out of bounds it did fall.

Roberts best ever percentage (really!) in free throws,
Cs too slow to foul, into his hands it goes.
Green got fouled taking a three, made all three!
Davis, 40 points, amazing shot made he.

BUT HUMP IS A BEAST, at the buzzer!! Love this rhyme:
Hump--what a smile! Going to OVERTIME.
'Cans a 7-0 run, finally the timeout we need,
Cs look tired, it shows in their speed.

Again, I apologize! SULLY FOR THREE!
The out of bounds ball did NOT go off a C!
Could that have been the play, Sully a three again?
He's our go-to guy? Not Green? Rondo? Since when?

Cs down by four, Aminu again fouled Green,
Season high 39, one other time we've seen.
What happened?? Under 5 seconds, Cs DIDN'T FOUL?
AGAIN...WHAT HAPPENED? DID WE THROW IN THE TOWEL?

Tho by 1 the Cs lost (what happened??), here's the thing:
KRIS HUMPHRIES IS OUR SMOOTHIE KING.

KNICKSED

Second of a back-to-back, tonight Rondo won't play.
Melo says Phil won't affect his decision to stay!
Despite tough losses, in these Celtics there's no quit,
Speaks to the character of the guys who are part of it.

Best: Offensive Rebounding, that's our spot--
Doesn't that mean we just can't make a shot?
Three threes for Melo, then BAYLESS FOR THREE!
Knicks are scoring at will, Cs are playing soft D.

JOHNSON FOR THREE! Cs went on a 6-0 run,
Not enough to get much done.
Knicks making threes, what can the Cs do?
Cs within 12 to start Q2.

Hump is a beast! Pressey adds pace.
Gotta do something to light up our place!
Good vision, Pressey, he's very good with the pass,
Memorable play--one of very few!--Pressey to Bass.

Cs a miserable night,
Knicks doing everything right!
Knicks a 68-point half, it's "reigning" (9 of 10) threes,
Within 20 end Q2 are our Rondo-less Cs.

Doesn't the Law of Averages say things have to change?
We need Green--someone!!--to find his range.
BAYLESS FOR THREE! PRESSEY FOR THREE!
HUMP'S A BEAST! Great block! Great D!

GREEN FOR THREE! GREEN FOR THREE!
Cs c'mon--missing the throws that are free?
GREEN FOR THREE! THIS IS THE GREEN WE WANT!
Leading the Cs--deserves capital letter font!

Lead cut in half, Cs within 10 end Q3.
Pressey has potential--needs that League with a D.
Brad always tells the guys to play the next play,
I guess Melo paid attention to what Brad had to say.

BAYLESS FOR THREE! BAYLESS FOR THREE!
Still, and always, a little fight in every C.
That goes for Brad, too; up he keeps his chin.
Cs end down 24. Love the Nets over Heat win!

PACING OURSELVES

Brad's hometown, against the Pacers tonight.
Hump opened the game doing everything right.
The Pacers got off to a very slow start,
I like to think the Cs (Hump) played with heart!

Two early fouls on George, Rondo took a hard charge,
A Bynum sighting--he has skill and he is large!
Matching early fouls on Bass, again setting that screen.
Bynum's productive. Cs need plays set for Green.

Cs within 2 to start Q2,
Bynum's changed the game--like he used to do.
Babb gives his all every time he does play,
He wants to earn more than a second ten day.

After a brief shooting slump, JOHNSON FOR THREE!
You can tell he's excited just to be a C!
JOHNSON FOR THREE! Scola is having a game,
So is Turner, off the bench since he came.

Tough half for Green, finally went hard to the hoop.
Not the usual stars for the Indiana group.
Little from Green, Rondo--Cs within 9 start Q3.
Green still struggling, go to the hoop should he!

George, Stephenson invisible, Pacers showing little heart,
Keeping their lead because of the guys who do not start.
West is tonight's Pacer, so many shots he is open,
Celtics' Defense? They're doing lots of hopin'.

Stephenson, mostly George, mid-Q3 came to life,
Cs still dealing with widespread shooting strife.
At my TV every Cs game I shout:
PLEASE, JEFF GREEN--it's time to bust out!

Double team Bynum, a play big guys are not fond o'--
Good job forcing turnovers, Green and Rondo!
Great second chance points, Cs within 8 start Q4,
Offensive fouls on the Pacers, throwing Cs to the floor.

SULLY FOR THREE! Green spoke in the huddle about D,
Some vintage Rondo we are excited to see!
Cs keep getting within one, Pacers have that pest,
The one who didn't choose Boston--David West.

Bynum double double in his first game in years,
His lack isn't skill, it's been between his ears.
Stephenson showed up, under three minutes to go.
Sully offensive rebounds his stat line will show!

Babb crucial double dribble, you could tell he felt "babb,"
Especially when Sully a 50-50 ball did grab.
After dropping four in a row, Pacers play was flat,
Neither the crowd nor management is happy with that.

These Cs don't quit, by 11 we did not win,
Mostly 'cause the ball just wouldn't stay in!

MOTOR PITY

Celebrate that the Lakers and Bulls won the day!
Hope the length of the Pistons won't get in our way.
Expecting to see a high scoring game,
Pistons blocking shots, Cs the same!

Hump and Bass great, each with a Rondo assist,
Cs to open the game--many easy shots missed.
Hump is aggressive! JOHNSON FOR THREE!
Great sight on the bench--tho in a suit--is AB!

On 40% shooting, Cs up 4 start Q2,
Babb, Sully, Olynyk, Bayless, Pressey--phew!
Bavetta keeps whistling the defensive three sec,
But never calls for Olynyk--what the heck!

All the players and Brad would like to grab,
10 days more--and more--of Chris Babb.
Olynyk/Pressey confident! GREEN FOR THREE!
This Celtics Ball is fun to see!

Assists: every 72 minutes Drummond averages one...
Cs up 8 when Q2 was done.
RONDO FOR THREE! GREEN FOR THREE!
GREEN FOR THREE! FOR THREE! BAYLESS FOR THREE!

Cs stopped moving the ball, slowed down the pace,
Didn't last long, Green lit up our place!
As the shot clock ran down, JOHNSON FOR THREE,
OLYNYK FOR THREE! Cs made seven in Q3!

Cs best Q3 of the year, up 11 start Q4,
Rondo great--no TOs!--both ends of the floor.
Pressey does well staying in front of his guy,
Bayless hard to the hoop--he can fly!

Hump is a beast! Love his cheering with the crowd!
Nice pass, Hump! Sully's dunk was loud!
All of the Pistons front court has a double double,
But Cs, especially Green, causing too much trouble!

Six Cs in double figures, Rondo's assists season high.
Pistons attacking every possession, Cs slowed down...sigh.
Will Bynum, by himself, took on the Cs every play.
Huge block and rebound Hump, double double--hooray!

Cs WIN--by 7--it's a glorious day,
We played an uptempo team, and it went our way!
Somebody pinch me, is this a dream?
Cs found chemistry and played like a team!

"LIFE IS FOR LIVING, NOT FOR LIVING UP TIGHT." Jay-Z

This year the talk of tanking has been annoying,
Hearing that management and players with fans are toying.
Cs must learn from these losses, take them in stride,
Begin to trust each other and show Celtics Pride.

Easier night for Pierce, back to the Gahden but no KG.
Jason Collins is a Net--good for him, glad to see.
Cs 4 turnovers, first 4 minutes of the game,
Unlike vs Golden State, with energy they came!

Good start Hump, Bass, Green. RONDO FOR THREE!
Bayless crossover dribble, Nets not much D (no KG).
RONDO FOR THREE! Worked with Adams on his shot,
17 his most in any year. This year: already 19 he has got.

RONDO FOR THREE (20)! Rondo played all of Q1,
Had 13 points,  Cs up 6 when it was done.
OLYNYK FOR THREE! BABB (yes, Babb) FOR THREE!
BABB FOR THREE(again), Olynyk's spin move--did you see?

Faverani had knee surgery--sad--out for the season is he.
Healing bone bruise in his ankle, we may soon see AB.
Cs rebounding and aggressive, flexing their muscle,
Second chance shots, 50-50 balls, showing some hustle!

Nets 0 for 17 shooting the three,
Rondo: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists has he!
Globetrotter Rondo fell--kept dribbling, like he used to do!
Despite 13 turnovers, Cs up 12 end Q2.

Rondo to Green, alley-oop!
Hump: two blocks, great play, against his old group!
Ball hit the official, means it's out of bounds--
Turnover for the Cs? On what grounds?

Nets went on an 18-4 run.
Finally Green stopped their run and gun.
SULLY FOR THREE! Block! Running the floor!
(His Dad looks glad) Cs up 8 start Q4.

You know when Bayless scores--he yells, "and One!"
Calling fouls on the Cs, refs having way too much fun.
With five fouls Olynyk, Sully and Bass,
Ball sticking with Rondo, he needs to pass.

BAYLESS FOR THREE! Very few for the Nets,
(Phew) Their three point shooting as bad as it gets.
Cs turnovers got to 28.
Olynyk, Sully, fouled out setting picks--oh, great.

Cs WIN BY 7, they were not up tight!
TOs hard to explain, still it turned out right.
As Fans we'll continue to take this ride,
With games full of Heart and Celtics Pride.