Who's in your Five?
Well, after tonight's game, they're all in there. Now I don't have to tell you how difficult it is to beat the Celtics as they've only lost 11 games prior to tonight, but it was even more difficult for the Dubs tonight. Without one of their captains, Stephen Jackson, and being on the back end of a back to back, the Warriors had to take on an angry Boston Celtics team headed by it's 3 all-starts in Garnett, Pierce, and Allen. Coming off a disappointing loss to the Jazz it was crucial that the Warriors come out tonight and step their game up to face the best team in the league and that's exactly what they did.
Without Jackson in the game it left room for someone from the bench to step up, and that man was Mickael Pietrus. Despite the swirling trade rumors and recent flat performances, Air France played one of his hardest games of the year. He provided much needed defense on one of the premiere scorers in Paul Pierce(5-13 FG) and a spark of energy when the Warriors looked like they were gonna bow out of it. As I've told some of my fellow Warriors fans, as much as I'd like to see the Warriors add a big man, trading Pietrus might not be worth it. Sure he has by far the most mental errors as anyone on the team (even more than Barnes), but it's in these games where it looks like no one is gonna step up that he actually does. Given the opportunities at the right position, he makes more good plays than bad, honestly.
Air France with the D!
The Boston Three Party did not have it's best game but Ray Allen did have his usual stellar night against the Warriors. He made six 3-pointers and shot 64% from the field and ended with a total of 32 points. Their defense however, was quite stifling tonight and they sure seemed to have the right blue print to limit the Warriors offensively. The Warriors did score 119 points but believe me, that was the hardest earned 119 points ever. They doubled Monta almost every possession whether he was coming off a screen or jumping into the lane. Ellis had to become a distributor, something he's working on but not is forte. And that led to a big night from Andris Biedrins.
Andris had 21 points and 13 rebounds, easily his best statline in recent weeks. Ever since the team signed Chris Webber he's seen his productivity decrease but he came back to life in the most important game of the year. He also added one monstrous block of Rajon Rondo that sparked a fast break.
But even with all of these guys stepping up it was up to our favorite All-Star snub to come to the rescue with his last second heroics. With the game tied at 117 with 6.5 seconds left I couldn't help but wonder about Baron's missed free throw a few moments earlier. He's been doing that a lot lately, splitting crucial free throws, and I wondered if that would come back to haunt us in overtime because the team looked tired. Had the Warriors let a win slip right through their hands? But Baron got the ball dribbled to the right pulled up for a jump shot and right there I knew it was good....and swish! Redemption baby! The one non all-star sticking it to the three all-stars. How you like them apples?
"Who else?"
Warriors win 119-117!
The Man: Baron Davis: 29 points, GW shot with .03 left.
Warrior Killer: Ray Allen: 32 points, 6 assists, 6-8 3pt%
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