Article published May 25, 2008
PISTONS NOTEBOOK
Celtics turn to Cassell against Pistons pressure
By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - After not playing for the last four playoff games, Sam Cassell entered last night's Eastern Conference finals Game 3 with 3:29 left in the first quarter.
The Celtics called on Cassell to handle Detroit's ball pressure that starting point guard Rajon Rondo has had trouble with.
Cassell's appearance was something the Pistons were expecting. Eddie House had previously served as the Celtics' backup point guard.
"I think they are going to try to maybe not have Paul [Pierce] exert so much energy, having to initiate offense, bringing it up the floor," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said before last night's contest at The Palace. "So I wouldn't be surprised to see Sam as far as playing a little bit."
Cassell tried to create offense immediately, taking a jump shot that was blocked by Richard Hamilton. He missed his first three shots but made an open 3-pointer on the Celtics' last possession of the first quarter to give Boston an eight-point lead. Cassell had five points in seven minutes in the first half.
"[Celtics coach] Doc [Rivers] has been doing what you have to do, going with who the hot guy is at that point and giving those guys opportunities to make some plays if they can," Saunders said.STUCKEY SHARP: Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey is averaging 11 points a game in the Eastern Conference Finals going into Game 3, and he might have been the difference in Game 2 with his hot start to the fourth quarter.
Stuckey's poise in Game 2 was uncommon for a rookie, as role players often have trouble making a big impact in road games. Antonio McDyess thinks Stuckey's lack of playoff experience is working in his favor.
"I think it's good he doesn't know any better because he just plays his game," McDyess said. "If he did know the consequences and what could happen if he messed up, it would be on his mind, and he wouldn't be playing as well as he is."
P.J. POWER: Veteran big man P.J. Brown was a big reason the Celtics got out of the second round, and he hasn't disappointed in the conference finals either.
A player who started the season retired, Brown is shooting 61.5 percent in the playoffs. He was the first Celtic off the bench last night when Kevin Garnett got his second foul with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.
"I knew he hadn't been out that long, but honestly, he retired for a reason," Rivers said. "That's the one fear you have when you bring back a guy like that ... you don't know what you're getting. We've been very lucky in that regard."
WHITE ON WHITE: The Palace had a "White Out" last night, giving white T-shirts to all the fans. It was the first time the Pistons have used the fan-uniting device that's popular around the NBA.
"We waited a few games," Saunders said. "I think you come in, it brings something else to the arena, it doesn't seem like the same arena. It seems smaller almost. You can feel the energy coming to the game."
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