Celtics Prevail on Christmas Day

Doc had a good game plan to shut down the Magic today.

Without Paul Pierce today, the Celtics stumbled out of the gate. Two quick fouls to Kendrick Perkins and suddenly it seemed as if the C's would be in trouble down two starters on the road. Then the D woke up. A physical, well planned defensive game-plan prevailed. The C's held thick Dwight Howard to 5 points and 7 turnovers and the 3 PT shooting Magic to 5-26 from downtown as they won the game 86-77.

Rajon Rondo was the man by default today. In a game high 46:43 (he sat quickly in the first half), he racked up 17 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists (8 turnovers, a season high), and 2 steals. At times he was on the court without Ray Allen or Kevin Garnett and was the main offensive weapon and shot the ball 18 times (his second most on the season). At points during the game he was out of control going to the hoop and turned the ball over, but he got better as the game went on.

• KG looked a little tender on the court today. He moved OK with the thigh injury, but it appeared that things were a bit tougher for him. He had 10 points (3-9 shooting), 7 boards, 4 assists, and 2 steals. He did take a hard fall at the end of the game when he was undercut going up for a rebound. Garnett fell hard on his back and hit his head, but walked off under his own power. The C's could ill afford to lose KG for any more time with Pierce already out.
  
• Ray Allen (18 points) and Tony Allen (16) chipped in on the offensive end, but the C's will need more offense from them minus Pierce when they go to Phoenix and Golden State.
• Perkins was limited today due to foul trouble, but the combination of he and Rasheed Wallace was formidable in establishing an interior D that limited Howard.
• Big Baby Davis saw his first action of the year today returning from his stupid thumb injury. He didn't score in 4 minutes, but it was good to see him on the floor as he works his way back.

The C's now sit at 23-5 which is tied for the best record in the league after the Lakers were downed by the Cavs. A daunting task awaits though, as the Celtics are westbound for three games in four nights versus the Clippers, Warriors, and Suns. A busy Sunday featuring the Patriots and Bruins will be capped off by the Celtics game which tips off at 9:30.