If they weren't already copyrighted, Post-it notes could replace a shamrock as a symbol of the Celtics.
Coach Doc Rivers's mantra is for the Celtics to post it, and they did just that early and often in dominating the paint and taking a 101-89 win over the Milwaukee Bucks last night at the Garden.
The Celtics' dominance, which was highlighted by a 32-17 second quarter, produced a third straight victory and allowed them to preserve Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett for tomorrow's visit to Detroit.
While the Bucks were getting off to a hot start - Richard Jefferson converted his first six attempts, totaling 14 points after a 3-pointer provided a 19-8 lead - the Celtics were actually setting the tone by concentrating their offense on the low post. The Bucks soon started wearing down, Garnett's dunk with 4:13 left in the first half giving the Celtics a 44-42 lead.
"We really put emphasis on posting the ball," Rivers said. "We thought we had a size advantage at the 4 [power forward] and we wanted to pound. We had 38 points in the paint in the first half and that was the game plan."
But the Celtics (5-1) continued their habit of starting slowly, falling behind, 8-2, in the first 2:39. They surrendered the first 4 points to Cleveland (in the season opener), the first 6 points to Houston and Oklahoma City earlier this week, and they trailed, 27-17, after the first quarter of a 95-79 loss at Indi ana last Saturday.
"[Jefferson] just came out and hit some tough shots," Garnett said. "I felt like, for the most part, Paul [Pierce] was right there, kept his hand up. A lot of these teams we're playing are coming out with what we call gas. We went through this last year. That's when teams come out and they're just hitting everything, and we have a saying that if we can withstand the first six minutes of the opposing team's blow, then we get into synch."
By the time Garnett's dunk provided the 44-42 advantage, the Celtics had produced 34 points (converting 15 of their 20 field goals) from the lane.
One reason for the Celtics' slow starts is the difficult travel schedule - the team arrived in Indianapolis for the Pacers game at 4 a.m., and returned to Boston from Oklahoma City early Thursday morning.
"Getting back [to Boston] at 4:30 in the morning, getting to your room, I asked the guys what time they went to sleep, because when you get back - if you travel you know - you don't go to bed," said Rivers. "You're wound up. So, I asked guys what time they went to sleep, and it ranged from 5 to 6 [a.m.], and the next day you are playing a game. So, that was a tough [trip]."
Rivers said he was more concerned with allowing the Celtics to find a rhythm than falling behind in the opening minutes, so he did not call a timeout.
