Cassell struggling as a sub.

Byline: Bill Doyle

COLUMN: CELTICS NOTES

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - During the opening round of the playoffs, Sam Cassell was the battle-tested veteran who provided the Celtics with much-needed scoring off the bench.

In the second round, Cassell was the over-the-hill point guard who couldn't make a shot, didn't know the plays, and never passed the ball.

Now, in the third round, the Celtics don't know what to make of Cassell - and he isn't quite sure, either.

"I just work here," Cassell said. "I don't make any decisions."

With his jumper not falling, Cassell was replaced by Eddie House late in the second round against Cleveland. After House had trouble bringing the ball upcourt in the Eastern Conference finals against the Pistons, coach Doc Rivers turned to Cassell again.

After sitting out the previous four games, Cassell subbed for Rajon Rondo at the point late in the first quarter of Game 3. The 38-year-old took a while to get going.

He had his first shot blocked and committed a turnover, but he did hit a 3-pointer to cap a 10-0 run that put Boston on top, 25-17, at the end of the first quarter. Cassell finished with 5 points, but no assists, in 8:17.

"When I get out there, everybody is running 100 miles an hour," Cassell said. "I was in the 40 lane. I was going 40. I got accustomed of going up and down after a couple of times and everything came back."

Last night, Cassell didn't have a point or an assist in 16-1/2 minutes. In 14 playoff games, Cassell has averaged only 5.2 points and 1.3 assists while shooting 32.9 percent.

"Not playing at this time of the year," Cassell said, "this is all new to me. I think I've been taking it pretty well. Obviously, five years ago it would be hell around here, but five years ago I would be playing 35, maybe 40 minutes.

"I know I can still compete at a high level. It's just trying to get the opportunity. You can't do nothing without the opportunity. I'm still positive about the whole thing. These guys will never hear me complain about this."

Cassell started for most of his 15 NBA seasons, and he has had trouble adjusting to coming off the bench for the Celtics when he does play.

"I never thought it would be that big of a difference, but it's a big difference," Cassell said. "When you get in a game, everybody else is warmed up and they throw you right into the fire and the fire is hot. You can't make too many mistakes as a reserve."

Cassell is out there with other reserves, and doesn't have the luxury of playing with Kevin Garnett like he did in 2004 when they helped Minnesota reach the Western Conference finals.

Cassell, who will turn 39 in November, is the second-oldest player on one of only four teams still alive in the NBA playoffs. He's a month younger than teammate P.J. Brown. Rivers, 46, was still playing when Cassell and Brown joined the NBA in the 1993-94 season. Rivers was on the injured list with the Knicks when they lost in the 1994 NBA Finals to Cassell and the Rockets.

"I just remember this young guy making big shots in New York," Rivers said, "and it changed the series."

Late shows unpopular

If you don't like the late starting times of these playoff games, you're not alone.

"I hate them," Rivers said. "They're tough. It's an honor, too. You can look at it in a lot of ways. Just think: If you win this round, you get to play at 9 o'clock. So the goal is to get to 9."

If the Celtics reach the NBA Finals, their games will start at 9:15.

The Eastern Conference final games begin at 8:37 p.m., and they approach three hours in length because of the extra-long timeouts and halftimes for TV. By the time the players conduct their postgame interviews and arrive back at their hotel, it's close to 1 a.m.

"I think we sort of got into that rhythm now," Paul Pierce said. "Most of our games have been sort of late pretty much throughout the playoffs. It really doesn't bother me. We're getting our rest on our days off, and I'm used to getting to bed now at about 1 or 2 o'clock."

Ray Allen said he's not falling asleep on the road until 5 a.m., but he admits he has trouble sleeping at home, too. At home, he watches TiVo of "America's Funniest Home Videos" to relax so he can fall asleep.

Rivers thinks the late starts bother the coaches more. He stays up after games until 4 or 5 a.m. watching game films. Some of his assistants go to bed right after the game and get up at 5 or 6 a.m. to edit the film.

"I don't know how you can possibly do that," Rivers said.

Rivers said he considered having the team stay last night in Detroit, but realized they'd get to bed so late anyway, they might as well fly home and sleep in their own beds.

Looking ahead...

The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 5, followed by games on June 8, 10, 12 and, if necessary, 15, 17 and 19.

NAME: BOSTON CELTICS