The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-89 in Boston tonight. They end the preseason 4-3 while The Cavs end at 1-6.
Kevin Garnett looked great in putting up a triple double (21 pts./13 bds./ 10 assts.) in 32 minutes as he tried to get players involved all night. Ray Allen provided 20 points in a variety of ways including a couple of 3 point deflators.
The Celtics had 7 players in double figures and one with 8 pts, getting most everyone into the act. The assists were flowing as 34 of 45 makes were assisted baskets (75%)
The Cavs had 3 assists to Boston’s 14 late in the first half (3:30 minute mark). The team did nothing in the off season to address its offensive singularity and is without a key component of its defense without holdout PF Anderson Verajeo.
Kendrick Perkins went 5-6 including a nice jumper. In 4 games, this preseason he is shooting a near perfect .800% on 12-15 from the floor. Of course, many are lay-ups and dunks coming from Garnett double teams. But he is doing what he is supposed to do – head to the hoop and make them pay. He and Kevin Garnett look pretty good together defensively as well.
Paul Pierce started strong offensively, and ended up with 12 points and 6 assists, while garnering 5 TOs.
The Celtics jumped out to 33-22 first quarter lead that they never relinquished, though Cleveland closed to within a point or two a few times in the third.
With Pierce and R. Allen on the bench, the KG led Celtics started the 4th with 14-0 run. The score was 86 -73 and ballooned to 100 -73 before the Cavs could answer. KG scored 6, working one on one against Ilguaskas while Tony Allen and Posey each had 2 of the first 10 of the 4th quarter.
Eddie House hit early and late for 16 points in 21 minutes. Rajon Rondo contributed 6 assists, 10 pts and 4 steals to the winning effort. Glen Davis has three 2nd quarter lay ups on passes from:
1) Ray Allen when he drew 3 defenders on a drive
2) Paul Pierce when he split defenders in the middle with a nice bounce pass
3) Rajon Rondo when Rondo drove and swiveled a pass by a Cavs defender at the rim.
Davis then took a charge from LeBron underneath when the Cavs had closed to within 6 points nearing the half.
Cavs 3rd quarter moves rebuffed
The Cavs made their moves to close the gap in the 3rd quarter, getting it down to 56-57 when Ray Allen answered with the shot clock winding down, on a quick jumper crossing through the key, was fouled, and converted. The Cavs were again within 2 when Rajon made his first shot (after 17 minutes of play) on a strong drive to the hoop, making it 65-61. Ray Allen finally put some daylight between the teams with the score at 71-68 at about the 3 minute mark, when he drilled consecutive threes to move the Cs out to 77-68. A Rondo drive and dish to Perkins for a jam made it 79. From there, the Celts continued to distance themselves, finishing the quarter at 86-73. Ray Allen had 11 points and Rondo had 8 in the decisive 3rd quarter.
James Posey had perhaps his best showing so far with 4-5 shooting overall, 2-3 from downtown and 6 rebounds to go with some solid defense. He contributed in multiple ways to the Celtics breakaway.
If tonight’s game was a warm up for the season, what was noticeable was Glen Davis may have moved up the depth chart ahead of Leon Powe for back-up PF minutes. Personally, I think it will come down to match-ups and consistent individual play before the issue is settled.
The Celtics did well against a struggling Cavaliers team playing back-to-back games. While I won’t read too much into tonight’s victory because of that, the Celtics still looked very good in their final exhibition game.
It all begins for real for the Celtics on November 2 at TDBankNorth Garden against the Washington Wizards.
T
