Didn’t See That Coming

Heading into Sunday I figured the Bruins and Celtics had as good a chance of beating their opponents as Ron Paul does to win the Republican nomination. But as the saying goes, that’s why they play the games right?

I’ll be very honest when I say, I haven’t really sat and watched a whole Celtics game all season. Sure I’ll catch the beginning of a game, or the end. But haven’t really sat through a whole game. Yesterday was no exception.

I tuned in right at halftime. Saw the Celtics were somehow ahead and found myself drawn in to see if they’d blow it. But they didn’t. The played a third quarter like the championship year Celtics did. They completely shut down their opponent while scoring a ton of points. 31-12 if you’re scoring at home.

As I watched the lead grow against the “best player in the NBA” and the “best team” in the NBA my thoughts started swaying to the other side. What if the C’s have one run left in them. I mean they’ve won five straight, they’re atop their conference, and seem to be hitting their stride at the right time with under a month left in the season. They’re doing it with Ray Allen not in the lineup meaning he could have legs down the stretch, right?

Well, the other side of me, the Celtics pessimist sees the four back-to-back games on the schedule and the one back-to-back-to-back April 13-15 and I see this team limping into the post season. Maybe they won’t have the legs. Maybe they are first round and out.

Flip flopping to the other side and you see Miami held to their lowest point total of the season, worst shooting percentage of the season, and worst loss margin of the season and maybe, just maybe the C’s could pull off an upset.

Ah, the life of a flip flopper. I thought the Bruins were in the same boat against the Rangers. I mean they hadn’t won a game against them all season. Hell, they haven’t even held a lead against them all season.

So in keeping in my tradition of not watching a whole game I tuned in during the third period and watched what should be an exhausted Tim Thomas standing on his head to preserve a 2-1 lead and eventual win. In the process the Bruins clinched the division title and the #2 overall spot in the Eastern Conference.

Just like the C’s, they proved they could beat what will be the #1 overall seed in the conference. The difference being the Bruins are a much better, younger team than the Celtics.

Bottom line is, playoff hockey starts in a week. Should be another great run for the B’s. Can’t wait to watch.