Advantage: Doc

Four and a half years ago the Knicks were the opponent as the Celtics, and coach Doc Rivers, were serenaded with chants of “Fire Doc!” in a 101-77 blowout loss.  Oh, how things have changed. 

This morning Knicks fans are probably waking up envious that the Celtics have Rivers on their bench.  Leading their best of seven series 2-0 the Celtics have been the beneficiaries of superb coaching in end of game situations by Rivers.  Meanwhile New Yorkers must be scratching their heads at some of Mike D’Antoni’s decisions.  Simply put, Doc Rivers has completely exposed D’Antoni at the end of each of the first 2 games.

In Game 1 the Knicks held an 85-82 lead after Toney Douglas drilled a go-ahead three pointer.  Out of a timeout the Celtics connected on an inbounds alley oop from Rajon Rondo to Kevin Garnett.  The Knicks looked completely confused on the play and lost track of Garnett allowing him to spring free. The Celtics followed with a stop and won the game on a Ray Allen three pointer.

Last night the Celtics held a 94-93 lead and were looking to inbound the ball to either run out the clock or get fouled.  The Knicks lost track of Delonte West, who caught the ball deep in the backcourt and nearly ran out the remaining time.  Not only did the Knicks allow West to slip free but they also hesitated before finally rushing to foul him.  West hit the free throws and the Celtics won the game 96-93.

Rivers also found ways at the end of the game to get his best players the ball in crunch time.  He designed Garnett’s alley oop and Ray Allen’s game winning three in Game 1, and also got Garnett isolated for the game winning basket in Game 2.  Meanwhile D’Antoni was unable to get a scorching hot Amare Stoudemire the ball late in Game 1 and had the ball in Jared Jeffries’ hands on the crucial possession of Game 2 when Carmelo Anthony was on the floor with 42 points scored to that point.  In both games D’Antoni seemed flummoxed by the Celtics’ adjustments to slow down his stars, while Rivers set up plays to put his best players in positions to succeed.

On top of all that Mike D’Antoni has been without timeouts at the end of each of the first 2 games.  After Allen’s three pointer in Game 1 they had to bring the ball up without the benefit of drawing up a final play, and after West’s free throws at the end of last night’s game they had to settle for a full court heave instead of being able to advance the ball to the frontcourt for a shorter catch and shoot.  Doc Rivers on the other hand has had the benefit of timeouts to go over every critical situation with his team through the first 2 games.

The Knicks head home feeling like they easily could be leading this series but instead have lost the first 2 games by a combined 5 points.  They have played without all 3 of their stars (Anthony, Stoudemire, and Chauncey Billups) for stretches, and in Billups’ case an entire game, yet feel like they could have taken both games in Boston.  Instead they head into a must-win situation Friday night with questions about their coach’s ability in close games.  Meanwhile the Celtics have not played their best but can be confident knowing they own a huge advantage in coaching and intangibles.  

Oh, how things have changed.

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