Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said at Monday's practice that Chauncey Billups is "very questionable" to play Tuesday night in Game 2 against the Celtics.
For most teams in the Celtics' position, that would be a relief. For the C's, it's troubling.
"I think for us, we have to be even more focused," Paul Pierce said. "We haven't done a good job when star players sit throughout the course of the season. I don't know if we've taken it for granted or taken them too lightly when they're missing a player, thinking the team wouldn't play as hard, but we've lost quite a few games with other teams' stars missing."
Pierce is right. The Celtics played the Thunder back in November without Kevin Durant, and they lost. Likewise when they took on the Bulls without Joakim Noah, the Rockets without Kevin Martin, the Grizzlies without Rudy Gay and the Bobcats without Stephen Jackson. Loss, loss, loss, loss. And it's not just injuries — the Celtics were the first team to face the Cavaliers after LeBron James left last summer, and the Nuggets at the trade deadline when Carmelo Anthony changed hands. They lost those two games, too.
When the Celtics see a key opposing player out of commission, they get overconfident. It's been a trend all year.
But the hope is that in the postseason, that should change. Even if Billups and all his postseason experience are replaced by Toney Douglas, who's never seen the playoffs before, the Celtics still need laser-sharp focus.
"If you take someone lightly in the playoffs, then shame on you," C's coach Doc Rivers said. "Everybody is capable of playing. Douglas has had a terrific year. [The Knicks] went on a winning streak when Douglas was playing and Chauncey was out. But I don't think that'll affect the way we approach the game. We just have to worry about us."
In fact it wasn't until 37 seconds remained in Game 1, after Billups has already left with his strained left knee, that Douglas stepped up and hit a go-ahead 24-foot jumper to make it 85-82 Knicks. Mr. Big Shot was off the floor, but it was the raw 25-year-old kid coming up with the pivotal bucket.
Billups finished the night 3-of-11 for 10 points; Douglas finished 3-of-8 for eight. Billups had questionable shot selection all night, while Douglas came through in the clutch.
Don't think the Celtics haven't noticed.
"Hopefully, if Chauncey plays or he doesn't, we take note that Toney Douglas is more than capable," Pierce said. "He's had a lot of big games. We can't take the rest of them lightly."
"Douglas is dangerous," added Rivers. "He does different things, obviously. His speed is a factor, and he takes big shots, as you saw last night. We'll be prepared for both ways."
