Celtics, Vandy, AU and 'Bama

The 30-somethings and a couple of  20-somethings got it done for the Celtics last night as they defeated the Cavs, 120-88. Thirty-four year old Ray Allen, like his veteran teammates, played like he was 25. He's been doing that all year. He's an amazing guy. Six-of-nine from trifecta, 25 points. Thirty-two year old Paul Pierce woke up and played like he is supposed to play. After a slow first four games, Pierce came alive with 21 points, 11 boards and seven assists. Thirty-three year old Kevin Garnett played KG ball with 18 points and six rebounds. Two 24-year olds made huge contributions as well. Rajon Rondo has been the best player on the floor throughout the series. He added 16 and seven assists. Glen "Big Baby" Davis added 15 with a couple of huge three-point plays (and ones). The Celtics shot 55 % from the field, eight-of-15 from trifecta and 24-34 from the line (70%). They outrebounded the Cavs, 41-31. I don't know what's wrong with LeBron, but he better somehow get it together in Game 6 or he's going home, maybe to Cleveland, maybe to New York. He was three-of-14 from the field and 0-for-4 from three and finished with 15 points. Shaq was the only one who showed up. He had 21 but only four rebounds. LeBron is a puzzling basketball player. It almost looks like he doesn't care out there. Some nights he just doesn't show up. His legacy, so far, is not looking good.

The Cavs are in big trouble. The Celtics looked awesome last night and their going back to Boston. I like Boston's chances back at home Thursday Night. Game time 7 p.m. on ESPN. Boston up 3-2.

For the Vandy fans, huge win for 'Dores baseball last night. Vandy (No. 23 Baseball America, No.17 USA Today) defeated No. 9 Louisville ( BA and USA Today), 11-10, in 17 innings, on a 430-foot home run by third baseman Jason Espisito. The Dores moved to 36-13 (12-10 in SEC) and the Cardinals dropped to 40-9.

Vanderbilt came back from a 5-0 deficit in the third to take a 6-5 lead. The Cardinals tied it later, and in the ninth took an 8-6 lead. Vandy tied it in the bottom of the ninth when Aaron Westlake hit a ground ball to short with runners on second and third and the Cardinals' shortstop threw the ball away. In the 14th, the Cardinals took a 10-8 lead only to see Vandy tie it in the bottom of the inning. Espisito won it in the 17th, hitting it all the way to Memorial Gym from home plate.

Huge win for Dores as they make stretch run to SEC Tourney. They are in third place in the East behind Florida and South Carolina (who are tied for first) and sixth overall in the race for the SEC tourney. Auburn playing very well, too. In top 25 and knocking cover off the baseball, leading SEC in home runs. 'Bama in the hunt for tourney.

AU, ranked 18th by Baseball America and 21st by USA Today, is 15-9 in SEC and 33-15 overall. They have a three-game series with Tenn this weekend. Games at 6:30 p.m Friday, 3 p.m. Sat and 1 p.m. on Sun. Arkansas (16-8) one game ahead in west standings. The Hogs play host to South Carolina this weekend (a very good team, 17-7 in East, tied with Florida for first place) and at Vandy next weekend. Auburn plays at Ole Miss next weekend after a mid-week game with Jax State, who is also at 15-8 right now–tied for fourth in conference overall with AU, so there is some interesting baseball coming up.

'Bama is at 10-14 in conference and 29-19 overall. One game  behind eighth place Tenn for coveted eighth spot in SEC tourney. 'Bama plays host to Ole Miss this weekend in a huge series. Games are at 6:35 p.m. Friday, 3:05 p.m. on Sat (on ESPN 2) and 2:05 p.m. on Sunday. They play at Tennessee next weekend. Huge. Auburn can help Alabama this weekend and Tide can help themselves this weekend and next.

'Bama wants to make tourney, but if they play well, say win four of six, they go to 33-21 and have a shot at an large bid to NCAA if they don't make it to Hoover. I know they want to do that, though.

SEC Tourney May 26-30 at Hoover Met. It's almost a must-see if you can make it out there. Will be on top of it with reports.

(Ray Allen pictured above).