Ron Artest is a really good defender.  In fact, we have talked about his ability to defend the basketball here in the past.  People are talking about this matchup, and rightfully so, but I think they talking about it for the wrong reasons.  I am not worried about this matchup for the first 47 minutes of the game.  Pierce is going to get his buckets, and if the Lakers take him away, others (like Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Kevin Garnett) are going to be able to get their points through Doc Rivers’ sets and such.

What I am worried about is when the Celtics absolutely need a bucket, and when they need a bucket late in the game they go to Pierce and let him work.

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