As Posted on TrueHoop.com

TrueHoop reader Michael expresses his admiration for the Celtics in this email:

First, as good as the Rockets looked throughout their win streak, they had absolutely nothing tonight. And the saddest part is, at least if you're a Rockets fan, it had nothing to do with a lack of intensity.

I've watched a lot of basketball games, including many recent Knicks' games, and the Rockets offense tonight might have been the most horrific display I've ever seen.

They ran pick-and-roll after pick-and-roll and every single time T-Mac ended up further away from the basket with half as much time on the shot clock.

I was shocked at how poorly they played in such a huge game. But what amazed me most was one thing I kept noticing play after play: they never ran, not up the floor, not through backdoor screens, not to try to get a fastbreak. They remarkably played the entire game at half-speed.

The Rockets had their moment in the sun, and there is no chance they do anything of significance in the playoffs. They aren't athletic enough and if you shut down T-Mac, all you need to do is score 80 points to win.

Second, I had serious doubts about the Celtics during their West Coast slide after the All-Star break when KG returned, but those doubts are long gone. They are hands down the best team in the league. If they play the type of defense they played against the Rockets, only an MJ-esque performance by Kobe could defeat them.

Many of the true contenders of a month ago -- the Suns, Mavs, and Spurs -- are fading while the Celtics are playing their best ball of the year. A month ago I would have said this was the Spurs' title to lose, but now I think the ball's in Boston's court.