The Green Machine -- C's Improve to 8-1

It's not June yet -- but don't tell Paul Pierce.

Since we last talked, the Celtics have stretched their Eastern Conference-best record to 8-1 with wins over the Pistons, Raptors and previously-undefeated Hawks. Pierce has emerged as the superstar he appeared to be during last year's championship run, and the defending champions are pumping on all cylinders. Let's rewind and recap the week.

Sunday: Celtics 88, Pistons 76
This was supposed to be Allen Iverson's welcoming party. Following a blockbuster trade with Denver last week, the Pistons received "A.I." after giving up Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess. Sunday was Iverson's first home-game in the Motor City, but you couldn't see it on the faces of the men in green. They were all-business, proven by a 30-10 thrashing of the Pistons in the second quarter. The Celtics clamped down on defense, forced turnovers, and were led by an unlikely budding star: Tony Allen.

Allen's the kind of guy that's been on the verge of "amazing" for a few years. Hampered by a knee injury two years ago, T.A. has been struggling to get his confidence back. His natural abilities give him the option of out-skilling his opponents. On Sunday night, he seemed to remember how gifted he is. In 28 minutes on the floor, Allen amassed 23 points, 5 boards and 2 steals. His team led by 20 at the end of three quarters, and easily walked out of Detroit with a win.

Monday: Celtics 94, Raptors 87
As much as I love these comeback wins, they've got to stop doing this to me. I'll skip to the fourth quarter, because that's where the magic happened. (To sum up the first half, the Raptors had more assists, 13, than the Celtics had field goals, 12. That's all you need to know.)

Twice pushing the lead to sixteen, Toronto had all the cushion they seemingly needed. Paul Pierce didn't want to cooperate. The Captain scored 22 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter on 7-of-9 shooting, leading his team to yet another comeback in the Big-Three-Era.

"I love when Superman goes in the booth and transforms," Kevin Garnett said of The Truth's performance. "I love it. I got the best seat in the house."

Wednesday: Celtics 103, Hawks 102
Atlanta is undefeated no longer. Honestly, I don't think I can pick a team I hate anymore than the Hawks. With last year's first-round match-up still obviously fresh in my mind, all I can picture is a raucous Atlanta crowd being egged on by an obnoxious Al Horford. Granted, the young team is very talented...but they're not championship material just yet. The 2008 NBA Champions proved that to them last night.

It what was yet another down-to-the-wire finish, the Celtics and Hawks went back and forth. Tied at the half, neither team was ever able to open up a comfortable lead. The Hawks took a lead very early in the game, but the Celtics closed the gap quickly enough. The game really came down to a sequence of three possessions. With under a minute left, the game was tied at 99, Celtics controlling the ball. Pierce took to the hoop, got fouled and knocked down both of his free throws. Veteran skills. After a brief timeout, Atlanta gave the champs their best right-hook. The ball eventually ended up in the hands of Marvin Williams, poised and waiting at the three-point line in the corner. With Ray Allen in his face, he hit his fourth long-range shot of the night, leaving the Celtics with a one-point deficit and under ten seconds to play. But remember, I said it came down to three possessions, not two.

The Celtics, after their last timeout, had the ball on their side of the court. The inbound pass went to Kevin Garnett, who handed it off to a sprinting Pierce. With Horford on him, Pierce had a mismatch, and he knew it. He faded away with a jumper -- one that I had no faith of reaching the hoop -- and drained it. He's gotten so good that even I've learned to underestimate him.

On the heels of last night's stellar performance, the Celtics have today off. Tomorrow night at the Garden, the C's host the Denver Nuggets, still undefeated since their acquisition of Chauncey Billups. I'm sure the champs will greet them appropriately.

-- Dan Zappulla, Basking in the Glory

Hot Stove Talks

So things are heating up this baseball offseason, but in rumor only. There have, though, been a few big deals that have hit the majors so far.

In a surprise move, the Oakland Athletics traded for Matt Holliday, sending Huston Street, Greg Smith, and Carlos Gonzalez to the Rockies. Odd that the A's wanted a 1-year rental of a player like Holliday, unless they are planning on making more big moves and trying to make a run at a World Series this year.

Jake Peavy has yet to be traded, and sources are now saying that the Cubs were never really involved in the Peavy talks, and that the Padres likely leaked that story just to drive up the price on the starter. It looks like the Braves are currently the biggest, and perhaps only, bidder.

The Washington Nationals acquired Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham from the Marlins in exchange for Emilio Bonifacio, P.J. Dean and Jake Smolinski. A bit of an odd move, as the Marlins may be delaying their 6-year championship cycle by a few years.

The Yankees resigned Damaso Marte to a 3-year $12 Mil deal with an option for 2012.

The Red Sox might be looking to bring back Derek Lowe. Rumors have it they're looking for strike-throwing ground ball pitchers. Although to be honest, I'm not sure I'd want anyone on the pricetag that Scott Boras would demand, but it'd be nice to have Lowe back, he is the most solid pitcher on the market with no question marks except his age (35).

Those aside, the rest of the Hot Stove seems to be hot rumors and not much getting done. Then again, the winter meetings haven't happened yet and at that point we'll start seeing some high flying dealing and signing. Who's excited? VendorBall is excited!

BenJarvus Jeremy Green-Ellis YOU GET IN THIS HOUSE RIGHT NOW!!!

Well, the Pats sport blue and win yet again, behind a strong performance by BenJarvus Jeremy "Law Firm" Green-Ellis. Honestly, I want a jersey with that whole name on the back of it (the letters would have to be REALLY small). It amazes the mind and the loins that the Pats seem to have two personalities this year, the first is a confident go forth and crush all comers, and the second is an unsure, timid child. The confident team wins, the timid team loses.

The final score of the game was 20-10, but the game was never even that close. The Pats spent most of the game with a 10 point lead (10-0 and 13-3) and only allowed a junk TD with 1:46 left in the final quarter. The Pats held the Bills to 60 yards rushing and only 180 yards of total offense. They picked Trent Edwards twice this game and sacked him twice more. Edwards is starting to show that he is not a great quarterback. He is a good quarterback, perhaps even very good and certainly good enough to win a Super Bowl, but he's not even in the upper tier of his generation.

On the other side of the ball, my boy BJJG-E rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown, which came at the end of a 9-minute drive that pretty much sapped the entirety of the 4th quarter. He never broke off a big run, and doesn't seem to have that capability, but constantly ripped off 4-6 yard gains every time he touched the ball. Cassel turned into a reliable NFL quarterback, going 23/34 for 234 yards in a well managed game. His favorite target: Wes Welker who is on pace for another 100 reception season. This week: just 105 yards on 10 catches. Perhaps more encouraging, was that Cassel got Randy Moss involved in the offense to the tune of 5 catches for 53 yards, as well as a failed end-around.

Unfortunately, Linebacker Adalius Thomas suffered a forearm injury in the game and had to be removed in the second quarter. Some reports say it is broken and will require season ending surgery, while others state that he is out for Week 11 and may be able to return before the end of the season. Wait and hear on that one.

Oh, and the Pats wore blue and won... again. I should think they'll shelf the lucky blue a couple weeks and save the luck for the playoffs.

They take the field again Thursday night against the Jets and Brett Favre (by the way, shouldn't that be pronounced FAV-ray?) as well as newly acquired cornerback Ty Law.

Player of the Game: Who do you think!? LAWFIRM, baby!

News & Notes - We're Here!

Oh yeah, don't think we've forgotten.

The Celtics have beaten the Pistons and Raptors, the Patriots trounced the Bills, and Tim Lincecum won the N.L. Cy Young Award. Oh, and the Bruins are in first place. Bet you didn't see that one coming.

We're here, and will have a slew of updates by the end of the week. VendorBall writers get busy too, you know. We'll be back and better than ever in 48 hours, up to our usual antics.