It's funny to think that we've reached a point in Celtics history where a 2-1 showing over 3 games is something of a disappointment, especially considering those two wins came against the current 1 and 6 seeds - the New Orleans Hornets and Phoenix Suns, respectively - in the Western Conference.  I think the reason I feel a bit disappointed (aside from the fact that I may or may not have had money on the C's to win) is because the loss came against one of the perennial bottom dwellers of the East in the Philadelphia 76ers.  The Sixers have been hot as of late and are very much in the playoff picture, but it was a very ugly showing by the C's that ultimately allowed Philly's new A.I. (Andre Iguodala, not Allen Iverson) to come out on top. 

3/24 vs. Philadelphia 76ers (90-95 L)
The Sixers beat the Celts 95-90 to crack the .500 mark for the first time all year; all in all, a very disappointing contest from the Celtics' perspective... in fact, they scored just 19 points in each of the final two quarters.  Philly's pair of Andres (Iguodala and Miller) combined for 48 points and Samuel Dalembert chipped in a game-high 12 rebounds.  The Celts had 5 players in double digits, but the "New Big 3" combined for just 44 points.  Leon Powe had an excellent game with 16 points and 7 boards, but Kendrick Perkins was disappointing with 4 and 4 in 27 minutes.  This game was decided by rebounds, turnovers and fouls... the Celts were outrebounded 34-to-42 (the Sixers doubled them up on the offensive glass 12-6), committed more turnovers (15 TOs and 10 steals allowed compared to Philly's 13 and 8) and sent Philly to the line 44 times (compared to the 20 FTAs by the C's). 

3/26 vs. Phoenix Suns (117-97 W)
Can you say "20 point blowout?"  I certainly wouldn't have predicted one heading into this game.  It helped that all 5 Celts starters were in double digits; in order: KG with 30, Paul Pierce with 27, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo with 14 apiece and Perk with 13.  Now, can you say "offensive rebounding?"  As in the Celts had 17 offensive boards compared to the Suns' 4.  The Celts helped their cause by keeping Nash and The Big Cactus relatively in check as The Flying Canadian (my own nickname for Nash) had just 9 assists and Shaq was kept to 16 points and 7 boards.  However, Shaq basically manhandled everyone he was matched up against (Perk and Powe certainly had a tough time when Shaq was backing them down in the paint) though, so keep an eye on those matchups if these two teams meet up in the Finals.

3/28 vs. New Orleans Hornets (112-92 W)
Ah, sweet redemption... after falling to the Hornets just a few days earlier by a final score of 106-113, the Celts bounced back with another 20 point blowout.  Paul Pierce led the way with 27 points and 9 assists, while KG nabbed his 150th double-double of the season with 21 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.  Rondo and Ray Ray combined for 29 and Powe chipped in 12 points and 7 assists off the bench.  Couldn't be happier with Powe's play this season; every time he's out there he makes invaluable contributions and he should be a pivotal piece of the Celts' playoff picture.  Chris Paul chipped in his typical 22 points and 10 assists but the Celts kept David West in check with just 14 points... compare that to the 37 D-West scored in their last meeting and it's no wonder why the Celts walked away with the win in this one.

The Celts next tip off against the lowly, Pat-Riley-and-Dwyane-Wade-less Miami Heat tonight at 6:00 PM.  We'll have your recap next Sunday, so see you then, sports fans.