San Antonio 105, Boston 99

Kind of a surprising game yesterday.

[recap] [box score] [highlights]

I'm not used to seeing that kind of intensity, particulary on the defensive end, from San Antonio on the defensive end. I'm not used to the Celtics -- not these Celtics, anyway -- losing games when they're up three and the ball with a minute to play. And I'm certainly not used to seeing Matt Bonner score 23 points.

As always, I'm (reluctantly) impressed with the Spurs. So good defensively when they apply themselves like they did against us, and a seemingly endless roster of unflappable players who step up in big moments. Rookie George Hill, out of IUPUI, had all seven of his points in the fourth quarter. Bonner pulled the Spurs to within one late, after which Roger Mason Jr. - who is making a habit of these things - drained a leaning three-ball to take the lead for good.

The one thing I didn't like too much about this game was that I thought Paul Pierce really forced the offense, particlarly late in the third and early in the fourth when he was playing with the second string. He's obviously the man in that spot and we need scoring from him, but he's gotta recognize that teams are focused on him in those situations, and a good defense team like the Spurs won't let him get in the lane. I also with we'd stop running that set where he posts up on the same latitudinal line as Rajon Rondo, 15 feet from the basket on the opposite elbow, and Rondo loops the ball to him. That's a pass that's just waiting to get stolen in a big moment. It's long, slow, loopy -- and wost of all, easy to see coming.

We lost a chance to pick up a game on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the race for Eastern supremacy (and homecourt advantage through the Eastern Conference finals). The Los Angeles Lakers dealt the Cavs their first home loss of the season, and this is about the only time it's' acceptable to be happy about a Lakers win. LA picked up another win against us for home court should we both make the Finals, but I still think that the loss of Andrew Bynum is enough to keep up with the win pace of the elite Eastern teams.

Two off days now before a New Orleans-Dallas back-to-back in advance of the All-Star Game. It's the start of a six-game road trip. The Mavs game is on TNT on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern.