Getting defensive

The hangover from the Celtics' banner-raising celebration lasted about an hour and five minutes -- the length of time it took for the first half to be completed in their 90-85 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night. Then, the Celtics made a statement confirming their identity as a defense-first team, holding the Cavaliers to 35 second-half points.

Now, the Celtics' plan is to get into the defending mode from the start against the Chicago Bulls Friday night.

"The first half we were awful, they should have had 70 points," coach Doc Rivers said after practice Thursday. "We weren't awful; we just didn't guard the ball at all in the first half. In the second half we did. I don't know what it says for the season, but we are a defensive team."

The Celtics limited the Cavaliers to 13 points in the third quarter.

"We finally got back to Celtic basketball, regardless of our offense," Paul Pierce said. "At halftime, we said 50 points was too much for us to give up as a team. So, hopefully, we can continue to play the type of defense we played in the second half and carry it over against the Bulls."