March 18, 2009

Luckless Irish

Paul did his best to conjure up some Irish luck Tuesday night, but his team-high 37 points were not enough to push his Celtics past the Bulls, and Boston fell, 127-121 at TD Bank North Garden.

Despite Paul's 37 points, Boston fell at home to the visiting Chicago Bulls (Getty Images).

The Bulls defense held the Truth (seven rebounds) in check in the first half as he totaled just eight points.

But having firmly established himself as one of the premier second-half performers in the game, No. 34 rose to the occasion once again, exploding for 16 points in the third quarter.

The Truth continued his hot shooting in the fourth notching 13 points, and his final two came from the charity stripe and brought the Celtics to within a bucket at 121-119. But the young Bulls controlled the final minute of play, and handed Boston their third loss in their last four contests.

WALKING WOUNDED
With the news that three more Celtics players sustained injuries in Tuesday night’s game against the Bulls, the Truth will have to carry the load against the Miami Heat Wednesday night, when as little as 8 players may be dressed for the contest.

“Definitely, the list is growing, but it is what it is,” Paul said of the injury bug sweeping through the team. “We can’t cry over spilled milk. Some way, somehow, throughout this stretch, we have to get this job done.

“We’ll be healthy sooner rather than later. We’ve just got to continue to fight, play hard, and find ways to win games.”

If the Celtics want to secure home court throughout the playoffs, they will clearly have to lean on their Captain.

NEXT UP
Tip-off for Wednesday’s game against the Heat is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

RELATED STORIES
Salmons, Bulls surprise Celtics 127-121 (AP, March 17, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/games/20090317/BOSCHI/recap.html
Bulls throw Celtics (Boston Globe, March 18, 2009)
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/03/18/bull...