Gorman On Toucher & Rich: Philadelphia Has No Answer For Garnett
BOSTON (CBS) - After a disappointing effort in Game 2 in Boston, the Celtics came out and took care of the 76ers easily in Game 3 Wednesday night, taking a 2-1 series lead with a 107-91 win.
Celtics play-by-play man Mike Gorman joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich Thursday morning, and said there is really no telling what is going to happen from night to night in this series.
"I'm beginning to think that there is nothing that repeats in this series," Gorman said. "I was sitting around before the game convinced the Celtics were in trouble in this series. Then three hours later, I'm thinking 'wow, we can go up 3-1 on Friday and end this back in Boston.' After watching them so much this year, you wouldn't think you would have that much of a swing in their fortunes over the course of a game."
The Celtics had three players record double-doubles Wednesday night, including Captain Paul Pierce. Pierce is battling a sprained MCL in his left knee, but scored 24 points while adding 12 rebounds.
"Last night was mostly encouraging on the part of Paul Pierce, because we know that Pierce is not playing at 100-percent," said Gorman. "The line that he put up last night – 24 points, 12 rebounds, he got to the free throw line 14 times -- is just another indication about what a terrific, terrific player this guy is."
Read: Pierce Gets Aggressive In Game 3 Win
However, his performance does not mean the knee is all better. In fact, Gorman wouldn't be opposed to giving Pierce some time off to rest the injury now that the C's have retaken the lead in the series.
"I would like to think the injury is getting better, but everyone is telling me it requires rest and won't be getting better until it gets the rest. I'm curious to see what happens Friday night; the Celtics have home-court advantage back, and it wouldn't be all that crazy to sit one of these guys; to sit pierce and give him rest and come back in Game 5 back in Boston," he said. "That's just me talking, but that wouldn't shock me to see something like that happen."
But even without Pierce, Gorman thinks the Celtics would have a very good chance at pushing the series to the brink, simply because Philadelphia has no answer for Kevin Garnett.
"One of the things that has become very obvious in this series is that Philadelphia can't deal with Kevin Garnett. They don't have anybody who can cover him," Gorman said of KG, who had 27 points and 13 rebounds in Game 3. "They've tried different people; Spencer Hawes to go big and strong, Thaddeus Young to go quick. Lavoy Allen has played very well for a guy that was a non-factor during the season, but still, Kevin putts up monster numbers night-in and night-out."
"I don't see what kind of an answer they can come up with on their bench to deal with Garnett. As long as the Celtics keep running the offense through Garnett – and he gets as many touches as possible in the front court – Philly is in for some long nights until they solve that," said Gorman.
"Without question, he is the MVP of the playoffs right now."
