The Celtics systematic destruction of both Chicago and Memphis shows the team is back to where it was during the first 30 odd games of the season. The defense is suffocating and combined with a return of the ball movement we saw in the opening weeks the offense gets either layups of wide open looks at the hoop. Wish they were headed to Texas right now instead of Philly but the schedule is what the schedule is. This team has taken the “one game at a time” cliche and made it it’s mantra. That combined with the possibilty of the Sixers being a first round match up makes Monday’s game at the least intriguing. Another lengthy win streak here is not beyond the realm of possibility.

The win over the Pistons last nite was important and satisfying on a number of levels. Five games in the loss column plus the tie breaker amounts to a six game lead with 23 to go. Even given the tough trip ahead for Boston to Texas and New Orleans and the easy schedule left for the Pistons, Detroit has little room for error if they are going to catch and pass the C’s. To be in the Garden last nite and hear and feel that crowd certainly makes every Celtic fan feel like they haven’t felt in 20 odd years. But that all said, remember the Piston were just back from a west coast trip. Weather had delayed their arrival at a Boston hotel till after 4 AM Wednesday morning.. Rested they are not going to miss the free throws they missed last night. They also won’t have the heavy legs and careless tendencies they exhibited late in the game. This is not to say the Celtics can’t beat the Pistons. I believe they can. But the double digit leads the C’s held for most of last nite and at the end were fool’s gold. These two teams are a coin flip and it may take a full seven games in May to separate them.

All the ducks are in order now. The stretch run begins in what should be a wild building against the Pistons. Dare I say it has been worth the wait ?

Comcast SportsNet’s Mike Gorman answers fan e-mails in “Mike’s Mailbag” presented by Dodge. Mike has been the Boston Celtics play-by-play announcer since 1981. Click here to send Mike Gorman your email.

Name: Joe Cantone
City: Southington, Ct.

Hello Mike, I’m wondering why the Celtic’s don’t give Gabe Pruitt a chance to play. I believe Gabe and Rajon would make a great 1-2 punch! I know the Celtic’s have other guy’s ahead of him, but given the chance, I truly believe Gabe can be an asset to this team.
Thanks,
Joe

Mike: Tommy agrees with you…but with the addition of Sam Cassell this week Gabe is going to have to wait till next year to get a chance at some minutes.

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Name: David
City: Cypress, Illinois

Hello Mike. What are your thoughts on Kendrick Perkins? I have rooted for the Celtics since 1981 and few players have caught my attention the way Perk does. I truly believe this kid will surprise many people over the next several years. Thanks Mike.

Mike: I think you are right and the last two games would sure prove your point. Like you, I believe Perk is going to have a long and productive career in Boston.

Another strong game from Kendrick Perkins and KG putting up early season KG numbers was all Boston needed tonite to win their fifth straight. Have a feeling we may see the Hawks again in mid April. Mike Bibby should be able to guide that collection of young talent to at least the eight spot. Now just a couple of days and a Sam Cassell signing away from the Pistons. Biggest early March game in years, and I mean years.

On first blush Celtic fans have every reason to be jazzed over the additions of PJ Brown and (probably) Sam Cassell. The thought of them on the court down the stretch of a playoff game will bring a smile to the face of every diehard. But what they provide off the court may be even more important. PJ Brown has only been here a few days and Perk suddenly has maybe his best game as a Celtic. For the past 2 weeks Glen Davis and Leon Powe each has put up terrific numbers every time Doc has called their name. And last night with the pending signing of Sam Cassell being whispered throughout the Garden, Rondo drops 16 assists on the Bobcats. Athletes are at their best when challenged and minutes in the pro game are precious. Brown and Cassell may bring out the best in Perkins, Davis, Powe and Rondo simply by being in the room. Sure looks like a win-win to me.

Mike Gorman checks in with a podcast following the Celtics win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday, February 29th.

Comcast SportsNet’s Mike Gorman brings us a podcast from the left coast after the Celtics dropped their third straight to the Phoenix Suns.

Listen to Gorman’s Game Recap of Wednesday’s game against the LA CLippers.

Just a word about Rondo….with all the focus on KG and when he will come back…..Rondo has quietly put together the best week and a half of his career….the jump shot is falling and more importantly is being taken…he’s getting better defensively in terms of keeping people in front of him…and his confidence in taking the ball to the basket grows every game….do the Celtics still need a backup ?…sure they do….but a backup is all they need….they have a starter….and as the weeks go by it is looking more and more like they have a finisher…just ask Dirk.

Better than half way through the season and still the best record in basketball….so let’s begin this mid season assessment with some givens…..Danny is exec of the year…Doc is in the thick of it for coach of the year….KG has a shot at MVP….and most important of all…the Celtics have a legitimate chance to win #17…..that in and of itself should be good enough for even the most diehard fan.

Now as I sit here in Miami we are about to find out how this team will deal with it’s first real bout of adversity…..you knew there would be some over the course of 82 games….the latest is in the form of KG’s stomach strain/injury…..he wants to play through it…but whether or not the coaching staff/front office will allow that remains to be seen….Boston proved through the first 35 games what they are capable of….now the order of the day is to have everyone healthy and ready to get back in that groove 25 games from now…..that will require some minutes manipulation as well as erring on the side of caution when it comes to bringing KG or any of the other top nine players back from the nicks and cuts that go with an 82 game marathon…..sure we all want to see how the C’s fare against San Antonio…Dallas…New Orleans…and Phoenix…but keep in mind that no matter what the outcome of those games…the Celtics would only have to deal with one of those teams to hang another banner….the Pistons…Cavs….Raptors…and Wizards will have a lot louder say as to how far the Celtics progress in the NBA’s second season…..those are the teams to watch over the next months…..the west is just gravy.