Champs on the ropes? Hardly

Down goes Allen!

Down goes Garnett, the wear and tear of too many battles knocks him to the canvas despite not taking a clear shot!

Down goes Scal...he pulls himself to his feet, still dazed...and he's down again!

Rondo is hit by a phantom shot, knocking the featherweight out for the next few rounds!

Down goes the Super Heavyweight Big Baby!

No one said a title defense would be easy but the last month has seen the defending champion Celtics taking would be haymaker after haymaker from the injury bug. A five punch combo of injuries hit the Green like a plaster of paris-wrapped blast from Margarito.

They'll battle this week without two of their most important starters (KG and Rondo), their best perimeter defender off the bench (Allen who is likely out for the year), one of their top big men off the bench (Baby), and a savvy vet who has exceeded expectations as a role player of the bench or a spot starter (Yes, Scal. Don't laugh). Barring a sudden decision by Doc to give his rookies significant minutes, the C's rotation will shrink to 7 with two of the top subs/spot starters being the newly added Marbury and Mikki Moore.

An adverse situation, no doubt, but I still see myself fondly watching this chapter on the Road to 18 DVD this summer.

Of the 5 injuries, only Allen and Scal look to be facing major downtime. Tony hopes to return to the playoffs but I get the feeling this could be wishful thinking. Que sera, sera. His D will be missed but his offense is too hit or miss. Scal, suffering the after effects of multiple concussions, could return but let's hope he doesn't for his sake.

KG's balky knee has been dealt with very cautiously to the point where it seems like Doc might be using it as a chance to recharge the Ticket's batteries. He's logged more minutes than any other player since he entered the league and he doesn't know half speed. The injury, and especially its timing, could be a blessing in disguise yielding the gift of a fresh KG for the playoffs.

Rondo missing a couple games gets Marbury up to speed faster but I don't think this will even happen. He slightly turned his ankle on his own and he's a young, freakish athlete who gets battered nightly on drives to the hoop but gets up every time. I wouldn't rule him on out for Wednesday in Miami.

Baby's ankle looked more severe and, let's face it, his ankle has to support 300 LBs. He's listed as day to day which I could see it being a couple weeks. A shame, sure, as he's been playing his best ball filling in for KG but the hole left by Baby can basically be filled by Leon Powe. Leon gives you a tougher inside game but can't match Baby's newfound ability to stretch the D with his 15 footer. This outside shot, however, is exactly what Mikki Moore can give you.

The Champs are hurt, yes, but it would be a grave mistake to count them out. They'll stand in and trade shots from here on out, even if they don't have all the punches in their arsenal every round. Expect them to take on the image of the great champions of the past and get stronger as the fight goes on. They might not be able to catch the Cavs or Lakers for home court. They'll just have to bring the knockout to Cleveland then LA in the title bout.