KG

Some quick thoughts at halftime of Game 1:

* From the moment that the digital version of Kevin Garnett screamed during the pre-game video, he’s been asserting himself at every single opportunity.

* The ‘cross-matches’ are hurting the Celtics. When the Pistons get out in transition, the Celtics aren’t finding the guys that they’re supposed to be guarding, but are instead running with whoever is guarding them. It’s resulted in some really easy open looks at the basket. During that stretch, the Pistons closed the gap thanks to six straight points by Antonio McDyess.

* Who would have ever thought that before the end of the first quarter that Mike Breen would be referring to McDyess when he said, “Man, that guy can really shoot!”

* Paul Pierce has picked up where he left off in game seven in a number of ways. It’s not that he needs to be knocking down off-balance jumpers with a man in his face. He’s penetrating better than any other Celtic and creating opportunities. James Posey ended up with a dunk because he got in the lane. Leon Powe hit a lay-up off of a zip-line pass from Pierce. His sheer presence in the game is giving his team a calming influence.

* Ray Allen is so in his own head, it’s almost hard to watch. He missed a transition three off a pass from Rajon Rondo by about four feet, and then forced some trash in the lane to try to get himself going. His three field goals are all lay-ups. His other four attempts were all bricks. He’s totally out of whack.

* Detroit is doing what you’ve got to do to win games on the road - they’re playing aggressive and trying to create their own calls. They’ve got a huge free throw advantage at the end of the first half. As Paul Pierce said before he went to the locker room, “We’re playing at Detroit’s pace right now.”