The refs decided to let-em-play, so the Celtics and Blazers on Wednesday happily obliged. They went at it in the Garden — to the delight (and occasional frustration) of both sets of fans — like it was a playground game through most of the first half. Neither D could stop the other's O very effectively. Shootout.
But the Celtics always have an extra defensive gear they can go to, and go to it they did in the second half — blowing Portland completely out of the game in the third quarter, and handing them only their second loss in 11 games (first in their last 4).