This joke of an NBA game was finished when the Celtics jumped out to a 38-22 lead at the conclusion of the first quarter. After an abysmal 13 point performance in the next quarter, the Nets fell behind 36 points resulting in a halftime score of 71-35. After losing two of the past three to the potent Hawks, the Celtics boosted their morale with a crushing victory over a struggling 3-34 New Jersey squad.
Celtics captain Paul Pierce put up 24 efficient points in 28 minutes, going 9-9 from the stripe and 3-5 behind the arc. Point guard Rajon Rondo dropped another double double, with 11 points and 14 dimes. The freak is averaging 14.1 ppg, 9.6 apg, and leads the NBA in steals with 2.5 rips a game. Us Celtics fans can smile after every game (win or loss), knowing we have secured #9 for five more seasons. Kendrick Perkins atoned for his four traveling violations on Monday night by limiting his turnovers to one against the Nets. Big Perk continues to prove that he can compete defensively with the marquee centers around the league. #43 finished tonight with five blocks and a steal, matching up with the only bright spot on the Nets season, emerging star center Brook Lopez. Brook finished 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
As you can imagine, the bench got a lot of run tonight against the worst team in the NBA. Glen 'Big Baby' Davis led the reserves with 13 points and 4 boards. With Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace nursing injuries, Baby, Scal, and Shelden Williams are thrown right into the mix and forced to perform at a high level. The veteran Brian Scalabrine got the start at PF and had an off night (as usual) from downtown, going 2-7. Sheldon Williams added six rebounds and zero points. Our three PFs finished the night matching The Truth's scoring total of 24 points. Bench warmers Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens got some run also, and went buck wild dunking the ball each scoring 6 points. With the aforementioned extended hiatus of KG and Sheed, look for Pierce, Allen, and Rondo to carry the scoring load for the next few games.
Two injury concerns to keep an eye on are Pierce's knee which he just had repaired appeared to knock knees with a Nets player in the second quarter. He did however return to the game. Also, Big Baby finished the game on the bench icing his hand which caused him to miss time earlier this season. We will monitor this one closely.
The Celtics come back home tomorrow to battle the 16-20 Chicago Bulls who are coming off victories against Detroit and Minnesota. The C's are granted some much needed rest and have the weekend off. On the contrary, the division leading 25-13 Dallas Mavericks come into Boston on Monday. In order to continue winning without KG and Sheed, Rondo needs to maintain his strong point guard play. When #9 plays well the Celtics win, it's that simple, except against our recent rival the Atlanta Hawks.
NOTE:
- Big Baby's flagarant foul from last game was reduced to a regular foul by the NBA.
- However, the NBA still fined Doc Rivers $25,000 for arguing with the refs and not leaving the court in a timely fashion after the flagarant foul on Baby. So the NBA admitted they were wrong, but fined Doc for knowing it?
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