Celtics Beat Falcons Behind Kelly (12/12/46)

Before the game the Boston Celtics made roster moves. The Celtics waived Mel Hirsch and signed 28 year old forward Jerry Kelly. Kelly was playing in the American Basketball League and the Celtics decided that he'd be a better option than the diminutive Hirsch. Also the Celtics traded Tony Kappen to the Pittsburgh Ironmen for 6'1 guard Moe Becker. Becker was averaging 6 points a game for Pittsburgh while Kappen was averaging 4. Things might be looking up for Boston.

                                                                     OUT

                                                                     IN

As for the game, the Celtics' newest player happened to be the difference maker in tonight's game against the Detroit Falcons. Jerry Kelly pumped in 21 points in his first game with the team to lead the charge. The Celtics and Falcons battled to a 38-38 tie at the half with Stan Miasek scoring 19 total for Detroit. The Celtics took a 5 point lead going into the final quarter with Al Brightman assisting with 14 points. The Celtics held on in the end thanks to Art Spector returning to score 12 points. Boston Yanks receiver Hal Crisler actually suited up for tonight's game and scored 3 points as well. Red Wallace had 12 points as well as the Celtics finally won a game as they beat Detroit 73-66 at the Boston Garden.

                                                 Ingrid Bergman approves of the win

Basketbawful Report:

Virgil Vaughn didn't play tonight to earn the Ellison

Moe Becker wasn't with the team yet to earn the Scalabrine

Hero of The Night is Jerry Kelly. He had 21 points in his Celtics debut.

                                                                    Kelly The Hero

Final Thoughts:

Finally a good win by the Celtics and it was with a different lineup. Crisler and Kelly scored 24 points combined while the Simmons brothers scored a big fat zero. Still, it was good enough to win and the Celtics needed the win big time. Mel Hirsch wasn't getting the job done and it would be impossible to expect Kelly to be the savior, but his addition came at a good time. Hal Crisler will be going back to the Yanks but thanks for the three points. Who knows, maybe Kelly will spark the Simmons brothers, Wyndol Gray and Chuck Connors to step up their game. The win improved the Celtics to 4-14 on the season. The Celtics are back in action on the 14th of December when they play the Philadelphia Warriors at the Boston Garden.