Real-Time Ramblings

Hope you have a comfy chair, this is a really, really long post.

Game 7's are historic. Something memorable always happens and gets shown in NBA highlights every year after. So, I'm going to keep a real-time log of the game and post it here. Think of it as the answer to the question, "What would Tom's Twitter page look like if he didn't have the 140 character limit?" If you read ESPN.com you might recognize the format... just consider it an homage. But, without further ado, let's get to it.

8:02 pm. Going with the local announcers tonight. Won't have the chance to watch Tommy and Mike after tonight either way. Plus, they show the starting lineups, as if I needed more energy; I'm already bouncing off the walls. I think I've done every OCD-fueled ritual I can remember, it should be safe to start the game.

8:05. In my mind, this game can only go one of two ways:
1. close like 5 of the first 6 games.
2. blowout by the Celtics.

8:07. Chicago, I want to you know: whatever happens tonight, you've already won the battle for "better looking dance squad."

8:09 So far Glen Davis has two shots and Ray Allen hasn't touched the ball yet. There's a good idea.

8:16 Ben Gordon flies through the air after getting hit by... no one. He's going to the line as we have our first "Bullshit" chant of the night.

8:17 We also have the first time that I'm going to openly question Doc Rivers tonight as he brings in Scalabrine instead of Mikki Moore. Why Moore has fallen out of the rotation baffles me. With big men at a premium Scal at least needs to stay out of foul trouble.

8:18 ...and he immediately fouls Brad Miller. Sigh. With the Bulls up 7, five minutes into the game, scenario 2 isn't looking too plausible.

8:21 Scal gets blocked on a breakaway layup attempt by Derrick Rose. I kind of want to poke my eyes out right now.

8:34 Scal knocks down his second long jumper of the night. I appreciate the points, but are we really running drive and kick plays to get Scal long jumpers? That can't be by design, right?

8:44 Scal just picked up his third foul... hope he doesn't have to go to the bench. He's all we have for offense at the moment. Now I really want to poke my eyes out.

8:49 Here's why I love Tommy Heinsohn. Glen Davis runs full speed into Heinrich, obviously setting a moving pick. C's get a break as it's not called, but Heinsohn goes the extra step to declare it should be a foul on Kirk. Oh, I'll miss you next round, Tommy.

8:52 C's tighten up on defense, go on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 36.

8:55 The music at the timeout:
Shawty had them Apple Bottom Jeans,
Boots with the fur
The whole club was lookin at her
She hit the flo
Next thing you know
Shawty got low low low low low low low low

(Is that stuck in your head now? Good. Welcome to my world the entire second half and pretty much all of last January - April)

8:56 Eddie House hits a big 3 to give the Celtics their first lead since it was 2-0. Later, he follows that up with another to give the C's an eight-point lead. Did the bench finally show up for this series?

9:05 Mikki Moore finally gets off the bench... and gets to guard Joakim Noah. This is nice; they can compare elastics and hair care products.

9:08 Moore takes a charge on one end, gets the rebound, puts it back in and gets fouled on the other end. And Scal is better how, exactly?

9:12 Heinrich trips over his own feet and Pierce gets called for a foul while he's 5 feet away. But, no, the NBA doesn't have referee issues. At least Kirk missed both free throws for some justice.

9:14 Celtics end the half on a 22-2 run and go in up 52-38 at halftime. They should be pleased that Pierce and Allen haven't shown up yet and they're still up huge. I know I'm encouraged at least.

9:15 Studio Analyst Donny Marshall declares the game over. Oh, Donny, now I'm going to have to blame you if they blow this game.

9:20 I could use a refill of my drink here, but I don't want to screw up the mojo of the room. Screw it, I can be thirsty for the next couple hours. Small price to pay for my team.

9:35 The Halftime show reports that a Ben Gordon jumper that should have been a 3 was only called a 2 and Chicago has complained to the league already. I can't imagine that will be an issue later on. After all, it's not like 5 games have been decided by a total of 11 points...

9:37 As the second half starts Rondo is dribbling way to much. They got the lead by attacking, not being passive and methodical. This is not good.

9:39 Shot of Garnett on the bench. What do you think is the longest he can go without swearing? 8, 9 words?

9:41 Sideline reporter Greg Dickerson tells the crowd that Noah used to like Garnett a lot, but now hates him due to the way he's acted in the series. "Oh, go back to France," Heinsohn responds. You tell him, Tommy.

9:46 Perk picks up a cheap foul and heads to the bench, taking our rebounding with him. And, the Celtics are already over the limit. But again, no ref problems to see here, people. Move along.

9:49 The picture on FSN goes out. I freak out while I find the remote and switch to TNT, just in time to see Noah throw Rondo to the ground. Ok, all square on the flagrants that aren't called, are we?

9:53 Guess not. Miller smacks Rondo in the face on his way to the hoop. If Rondo has a knife wound would that get a whistle? The refs are scared to toss anyone out, I think.

10:00 Pierce gets tired of waiting and being passive, slamming home the drive. The Garden crowd just notice the second half has started and makes some noise.

10:10 Celtics up 7 at the start of the 4th quarter. Win the next 8 minutes, win the game.

10:13 Marbury starts at point for the 4th quarter. Probably a good call, Rondo looks like he has no energy right about now.

10:17 Celtics all have tired legs. You can tell cause all their free-throws are coming up short.

10:19 Eddie House hits a huge three in front of a yelling Bulls' bench, half of whom are leaning onto the court. He yells back and gets a technical for his trouble. Yeah, that seems fair.

10:23 The Bulls are already over the foul limit for the 4th quarter. This is in no way an attempt by the refs to make it equal for the Celtics going over the limit so quickly in the 3rd - that's just crazy talk. Besides, this will only be helpful if the Celtics could make a fucking free-throw.

10:31 The League, apparently figuring the Bulls may need that point after all, change the ruling from halftime that Ben Gordon should get the full 3 points. The lead is down to 4 with that correction. At least no one can complain about it later.

10:35 At the 4 minute mark the Celtics lead by 5. Didn't win the last 8 minutes, but at least they still lead.

10:37 Back to back bad turnovers on both ends of the floor. These teams are starting to look cooked. I guess 7 overtimes in 6 games will do that to you. I bet Aaron Gray has lots of energy for you, Vinny. You should totally put him in.

10:38 Perk gets blasted by Miller, potentially injuring his shoulder... and double technicals are called. For what, I may never know. I just know I hate all NBA refs.

10:43 Eddie hits another big 3 in front of the Bulls bench. They're screaming for a travel because... yeah, he absolutely did. But the refs missed it. I figure we're even from that horrible Pierce foul on Heinrich.

10:48 With a 5 point lead the ball finds its way into Scal's hands, who immediately calls for a timeout. Yeah Scal, what can they expect you to do with that thing? Again, Moore hasn't been heard from this half. Figuring out Doc's rotation is like asking my nieces to organize their blocks alphabetically. They get it right every now and again, but when they do it's mostly by accident.

10:51 Noah goes over Pierce's back for his 6th foul. Bye, Joakim, see you next season. You've been annoying as hell - but that's meant to be a compliment. Pierce can make it a 7 point lead if he can actually make his free throws (and he does).

10:52 The Bulls don't foul right away off their made basket, allowing Ray Allen to break away for a layup, where he gets fouled by Miller, but still hits the layup and the free throw. Also, Miller fouls out. I think that was my favorite 2 minute sequence this series. Celtics up 8 with 40 seconds left.

10:56 In a series where the lead is never safe people are walking to the exits. I would like security to take their picture and never allow them back into the building again.

10:57 Rondo nearly gives the Bulls the ball back with a bad inbounds pass after they make a hoop. He either wants me to have a heart attack or he had the Bulls +4.

11:00 Did we just run a play to specifically get the ball into Stephon Marbury's hands? Did that just happen or am I suffering from dehydration? Really? But, he makes the free throws and the Celtics are up 10 with 13 seconds to go. It may be safe for me to have my refill now.

11:03 And it's over. Thank God for that. I couldn't have done another overtime. Well played, Chicago. You're going to be formidable if you can keep Gordon around. In the immediate future, the Celtics look like the walking dead right about now. I think you can pencil the Magic in for a Game 1 win.