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Wow… just wow. Of all games played in the 2008 postseason, Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals may have been the most eventful and entertaining, yet awkward at the same time. In fact, it was reminiscent of Game 3 of this very series. The Celtics held a 17-point lead at one point in the third quarter (as opposed to the 24-point lead they held in Game 3), but somehow let up for a stretch and let Detroit back into the game. If it weren’t for Ray Allen’s baseline jumper with 1:02 remaining, which conveniently followed a Rodney Stuckey three-pointer on the other end, the Celtics may have thrown away a heartbreaker.

Regardless, let’s not dwell on the negative shoulda’s and coulda’s. Ray did knock down that jumper. He did make those free throws, as did Kevin Garnett. The Celtics won the game and took a 3-2 series lead, and that is all that matters

• First and foremost, let’s get right to the MVP of the game: Kendrick Perkins. Perk was an absolute monster from start to finish. The fifth-year enforcer racked up 18 points (12 coming in the first half), 16 rebounds (13 coming in the first half), and two rejections in what may very well have been his most impressive professional outing. He may have picked up an unnecessary technical foul in the process, but let’s now allow that tiny mistake to overshadow his performance. “KP43″ (courtesy of Jeff Van Gundy) outworked every player on the floor, dominated the glass, protected the paint defensively, and hell, even showed a relatively surprising offensive touch from multiple spots. The big fella’ was remarkable for the green, and despite Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen combining for 62 points, Perk was undeniably the most important factor to the victory.

• While Perk was doing his thing, make no mistake about that fact that Ray Allen and his left arm sleeve came up big alongside him. Producing flashbacks of Jesus Shuttlesworth, Allen poured in five of six from deep and went for 29 huge points on 9-15 shooting. Ray simply had the touch going for himself in this one, and it paid dividends (especially with Paul Pierce shooting just 11 times). Four of those 29 points came in the final 62 seconds of the ballgame, which virtually sealed the deal for the C’s.

  I hate to steal some credit, but allow me to point out that I wore my Ray Allen t-shirt throughout the day and game. The same shirt I inadvertently sported during Allen’s 25-point Game 2 performance, his game-winning shot in Toronto, and his game-winning shot in Charlotte. That is comforting irony at its finest.

• Rasheed Wallace had the feel as well, as he hit 6-9 from beyond the arc and made the Celtics pay for sagging off of him. “Sheed” poured in 18 points (all from distance), swatted three shots, and provided a colorful venting session regarding the officiating (we won’t go there). Kevin Garnett answered him on the other end, however. “The Big Ticket” led all scorers with 33 points, most of which coming in the form of his sweet mid-range stroke. Granted, five turnovers came with that production, including a costly one down the stretch, but his two free throws in the closing seconds made up for it.

• Despite Ray Allen’s showing, Detroit’s guards were far superior to Boston’s. Flip Saunders’ starting backcourt of Chauncey Billups and “Rip” Hamilton combined for 51 points on 48.4% shooting, adding to strong contributions from Rodney Stuckey and Lindsey Hunter off the bench. On the other end, Rajon Rondo put together an up-and-down game alongside Allen. The second-year guard dished 13 assists, grabbed six boards, came away with four steals, played aggressive defense, and committed just one turnover - all positives - but was completely unable to finish at the rim. Rondo shot just 3-14 from the floor, and didn’t counter with baseline jumpers. While it was far from his worst game of the postseason, the term “erratic” sums it up. That word is also often used to describe Sam Cassell, who contributed a turnover and a passed up layup (I know what you’re thinking - what?). Thank God for Ray Allen, because Detroit’s perimeter play was killer.

• Boston’s bench was virtually nonexistent, combining for just three points on 1-5 shooting and four turnovers. Detroit, however, (surprise, surprise) got another productive night out of rookie guard Rodney Stuckey, who scored 13 points and hit the giant aforementioned three-point shot to cut Boston’s lead to one late in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the promising youngster, he bricked a free throw with under five seconds remaining that ruined any chance Detroit had of busting out a miracle. Regardless, without Stuckey, Detroit wouldn’t have cut into the lead that quickly. Lindsey Hunter was also a big factor for Flip Saunders, as his pressure defense was second to none as usual.

  Theo Ratliff worked hard in his 14 minutes of action, but his efforts will be overshadowed by the giant poster he was put on, thanks to Kevin Garnett. Watch the highlights to check that one out.

• Thanks to Kendrick Perkins, the Celtics dominated the glass from the opening tip to the final horn. How badly, you ask? 42-25.

• Neither team played as crisp as they would’ve liked, as each team put together sloppy stretches to combine for 32 turnovers.

• Rip Hamilton sat out the final eight seconds of the ballgame, after injuring his right elbow (yes, his shooting arm) in a tangle-up with Ray Allen. X-rays came back negative, but the All-Star guard was reportedly having trouble tying his shoes and changing his clothes as a product of the pain. He left the TD BankNorth Garden in a sling, and was diagnosed with a strained right elbow. Whether he toughs it out for Game 6 or not, it’ll be interesting to see if it affects his game, mainly his shooting.

Get your popcorn ready for Friday night, ladies and gentleman. We’re in for quite a show, as the Detroit Pistons are in a win or go home situation.

Box Score

Player of the Game

Kendrick Perkins
18 PTS, 16 REBS, 2 BLKS, 2 STLS, 8-11 FG

Series Standings: Boston leads series 3-2
Game 6: Friday (5/30/08) at 8:30 pm ET.

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