Bullish start is required
Postseason push begins in Chicago
WALTHAM -- After a lengthy practice at HealthPoint yesterday, the Celtics departed to catch a plane for Chicago.
However, catching the Bulls and Sixers and claiming the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference will be the tougher road to travel, especially after a fourth-quarter meltdown last Sunday that resulted in a 101-97 loss to the visiting Bulls.
The rematch will take place tonight at the United Center and it remains to be seen whether the Celtics can generate enough staying power this time around.
''We watched a lot of film to see the mistakes we made. This is a game we've got to have," said Paul Pierce, who along with his teammates took some of the sting out of that defeat with a 123-98 crushing of the Knicks in New York Wednesday.
Pierce felt the team let the pressure get to them after holding a 10-point lead after three quarters over Chicago, and a 12-point advantage early in the final quarter. ''We can't do that. We didn't drive the lane. We didn't help on defense . . . and these things are critical when you're trying to make the playoffs.
''They overplayed us and it seemed we got rattled instead of executing. But we'll be better prepared for it."
Kendrick Perkins, who has 26 rebounds in the past two games, has given the team a defensive presence in the paint, according to Pierce. ''He does so well on defense," said Pierce. ''If he gets in a groove, blocking shots [3 vs. the Knicks, 5 vs. the Bulls] and rebounding, he can be a force in this game."
Pierce said if the Celtics' quest for a playoff berth falls short, he'll be more disappointed than embarrassed. ''I see potential. I see us growing," he said. ''We take two or three steps forward, then sometimes we take two or three steps back. That's going to come with time and age and maturity. I see us growing as a team and as individuals. I can't see us going any place but up."
Al Jefferson, however, was not expected to be going anywhere soon.
The second-year forward, who has been bothered by a gimpy ankle and has been inactive, was not on the team flight to Chicago. He might miss Tuesday's game in Toronto and Wednesday's home game vs. Washington, according to coach Doc Rivers, because of Jefferson's lack of practice time with the team.
''Al's out still," said Rivers. ''All I can do is ask Eddie [Lacerte] 'Can Al go?' And when he says 'no,' I don't press it. I'm not trying to be vague."
''I want to apologize to my teammates, the organization, and the coaching staff," said Greene, who paid a $200 fine for the criminal charges (failure to stop and operating to endanger), which were dismissed. His one-game loss of pay cost him an estimated $4,500. ''I made a terrible mistake. I learned from it and I'm ready to move on."
Greene said he did not see the arresting officer following him (for about 1 1/2 miles) and when he did, he pulled right over. ''No matter what, it is what it is. I was just trying to get home. It's embarrassing to me, my family and to the organization. It happened. I've learned from it."
Rivers had a chat with Greene yesterday and said it went well.
''But, obviously, actions speak louder than words," said Rivers. ''It wasn't just the speeding. It was the [lack of] professionalism. You shouldn't be speeding at 3:30 in the morning. You should be sleeping."
''Tony's playing so well you want to find minutes for him and Gerald's starting to play well and you want to find minutes for him as well," Rivers said. ''Even though we're in the playoff chase, I still want to play those guys and give them more experience. As a team we're playing better, but we're still not good enough. We have a lot of work to do and we're a work in progress."
