The Celtics are doing exactly what they should be doing: holding down the fort. It wasn't exactly pretty, but it was still pretty good. The first half is over, and the Celtics lead at recess, 48-42.
Here's some food for thought:
* The Celtics would not be in this game if it not for Jeff Green. Green leads the team with 11 points on 3-of-5 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the line. The most encouraging part of Green's night so far? All 5 of his attempts have come inside the paint, with his longest attempt coming from 5 feet. He scored 7 of the Celtics' 10 points in the first 3:51 of the second quarter.
* So far, so good for the senior citizens. Kevin Garnett has 8 points and 4 rebounds while Paul Pierce has 6 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds.
* Byron Mullens could be a problem. He scored Charlotte's first 10 points, exhibiting range from beyond the three-point line and even the ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. That might be a tough matchup for the Celtics bigs to have to defend the seven-footer out on the perimeter.
* Boston's bench is doing what it's supposed to be doing: allowing Doc to rest his veterans. Chris Wilcox is playing with energy and had a big dunk, Jason Terry is making plays and Jeff Green is doing his thing. They're not just out there giving the starters a breather: they're making it easy for Doc to give them extended minutes. The bench has 21 of Boston's 48 points.
* With that being said, no one from the bench can defend Kemba Walker. Avery Bradley and Courtney Lee could cover him, but Leandro Barbosa and Jason Terry have not shown they could do the same.
* Although he got absolutely rejected by Bismack Biyombo on a two-hand slam, Brandon Bass had a sold first half. He has 6 points and 5 rebounds in 15 minutes.
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