PROTECT THE PAINT

Sunday night the Boston Celtics were handed a loss at the buzzer by a ridiculously clutch fade away shot by Baron Davis of the Los Angeles Clippers. There was not much to say. The Clippers stayed in the fight, and made tough shots before and after Rajon Rondo choked on consecutive free throws with 1.5 seconds left.

Monday night things did not fair much better as the young Golden State Warriors, led by Monta Ellis’ 37-point explosion, took the Celtics down to the wire and winning 103-99. Boston is now on a 2-game losing streak against less than mediocre teams. They have been without Paul Pierce while this streak has occured.

Man, we stink without the Truth! (Credit: picapp.com)

Paul Pierce has been out of the line up since having a procedure to drain fluid from his knee. Evidently, the knee infection is rather serious. The reality is the Celtics are far from good without Pierce.

Boston is having trouble winning without him, and making matters worse, they have dropped 2 games in a row to two teams with losing records. In a situation where one would think a championship caliber team should course-correct after a close loss against the Clippers, the Celtics were unable to find a answer to stop Monta Ellis and his Warriors.

The Clippers team is better on paper than their record would indicate, however, the Warriors simply stink this year.

The Warriors are an abysmal 9-21.

It gets you wondering about whether or not the Celtics can win against quality teams without Pierce. Boston heads to Phoenix for another road game Wednesday.

This is bad news for the Celtics, as The Suns annihilated the Lakers Monday 118-103, and looked incredible while doing so. This is a game the Celtics must be looking at and dreading, based on their current 2 game lull against bottom tiered teams.

Can a healed knee can heal a losing streak? (Credit: picapp.com)

With 4 out of their next 5 games being on the road, Boston needs to get it together, or pray that Paul Pierce returns from his knee surgery without lingering residuals.

They will face Phoenix, Toronto, Miami and Atlanta. All of whom are far better than the Clippers or Warriors on any given night.

Pierce makes this team championship caliber and without him they could not defeat a Warriors team decimated by injuries. Even with Rajon Rondo dropping in 30 points with 15 assists, the Warriors got the better of them. Celtics fans had better hope Pierce comes back soon.

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