Undermanned Celtics Beat Raptors and Injury Updates

The Celtics ran out the following line-up tonight:

PG: Tony Allen
SG: Ray Allen
SF: J.R. Giddens
PF: Rasheed Wallace
C: Kendrick Perkins

It appeared to be a daunting task against a Toronto team that had won five games in a row. Minus arguably the three most irreplaceable players on this roster: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo, the Celtics "replaced" them. Six players scored in double figures in a well rounded attack which saw the C's hit 51% of their shots and 25 free throws.

• Tony Allen ran the show tonight. He stepped up for the C's at the point guard position which he is not accustomed to playing hitting 4-8 FGs and 6-9 FTs on his way to 14 points. TA chipped in 7 assists (3 turnovers), 5 rebounds, a steal and a block. His ability to run the show and manage the offense was instrumental in this victory.
• Rasheed Wallace got involved early and often tonight. He was a team high +17 when on the floor in 35 minutes. Sheed had 16 points (two 3's), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, a block, and a technical foul. Wallace will be relied on heavily with KG out for the foreseeable future (see below).
• Kendrick Perkins (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Ray Allen (23 points) remained the constants in the starting line-up and did a good job of sticking to their game, and making the players around them better.
• Eddie House played 30 minutes off of the bench and had 16 points (2-6 from downtown), 4 boards, and 4 assists. Glen Davis chipped in 15 points after missing last game with a sprained ankle. They provided the spark the team needed off of the bench, and their roles are very important to the success of this team.
  
• Youngsters J.R. Giddens and Lester Hudson didn't wow tonight on the floor, but each played meaningful minutes for the short-handed team. These young guys sit on the bench every night, and they need to be ready when called upon.

Kevin Garnett (hyperextended right knee) will sit out another 10 days. In order to get the defensive prowess healthy, he will miss games @ MIA, @ ATL, @ TOR, and vs. ATL at least. Better to get him healthy now, and have him for the long haul.

It was also revealed today that Paul Pierce (right knee) quietly had a second operation on his infected right knee. Apparently the first procedure did not clean up the knee. He however is still day-to-day and will travel with the team.

Rajon Rondo (right ankle, hamstring, ill) also missed tonight's win. He is day-to-day, but it is important that they keep their floor general in one piece, as he is constantly throwing his body everywhere on the floor.

A few days off for the C's and it is well deserved. They head to Miami for a game versus the Heat on Wednesday in the first of a three game trip.