Celtics and Bruins Lose on Road

Frustration is setting in without Pierce.

The Celtics dropped their second straight game late last night to the Warriors 103-99. Despite a season high 30 points from Rajon Rondo, the C's turned the ball over a ridiculous 25 times. Another reason for the loss was the Celtics' deciding to settle for the 3 PT shot time after time despite the fact that it wasn't falling (5-19). In fact, the C's missed five in a row to finish off the game as they played from behind.

It really comes down to Paul Pierce. The Celtics miss him terribly because he provides a stable force for this team when it's close down the stretch. He is a big time player and is leaving a gaping hole on this team right now.

Things don't get any easier as the Celtics head south to Phoenix to finish off their four game road trip. The C's have already lost to the Suns this season and they are coming off of a win versus the Lakers. Tip off is Wednesday at 9:00 as the C's will look to stop their skid.

NOTES:

• Glen Davis tweaked his ankle and did not return.
• Lester Hudson has been sent back to the NBDL.

The Bruins' three game winning streak was snapped tonight by the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the second night of a back-to-back, the B's came out a bit flat on the offensive end and were down 2 heading into the third period. Marco Sturm (12) would score int he third to try and bring the Bruins back, but it was too little too late.

Tim Thomas got the start in net even after starting last night's game. He played well stopping 37 of 39 shots as he was faced with shot after shot all night including seeing 24 in the second period alone (compared to the Bruins' 6 shots). The goal the Lightning scored with 11 ticks left in that period was on the power play which marked the first time in 21 penalty kills that the B's allowed a goal.

The 19-12-7 Bruins, currently 5th in the Eastern Conference, head home to face the Thrashers on Thursday. Having just beat them 6-4 in Atlanta this past week, the Thrashers will come out firing.

NOTES:

• Derek Morris played for the second straight night after missing a few games with an undisclosed injury.
• Milan Lucic, out since November 25th with an ankle injury, has resumed practicing.