Celtics Central

Kevin Durant. Kevin Garnett. Ray Allen. Delonte West. Wally Szczerbiak. Familiar names in unfamiliar places.

If I showed you that list before the NBA Draft, you would never have guessed the connection between them.

Lo, these many months later, it was that draft night trade of Ray Allen for Szczerbiak, West and the Celtics # 5 pick (Jeff Green) that started the gears moving in the machinations that brought this Boston team together and has it sitting atop the league with a record of 24-3, one game less than they won all of last year. The trade came out of the blue as far I knew. There were no pre-trade rumors on this one.

Tonight it was a homecoming for Ray Allen. It was a meeting between 2 Kevins, one a current top 5 player, and the other, possibly a future one. It was a chance for 2 previous Celtics to show their former employer what they are missing.

The night did not disappoint. Boston was up 24-16 when West entered the game. By the end of the first half he and Wally led a Sonics surge to see them outscore the Celtics 30-23 to close the half down by one 47-46. Seattle played aggressive defense and the Celtics looked a wee bit tired from last night’s tough defensive struggle against Sacramento.

They will be playing 4 west coast road games in 5 nights. They will get no sympathy from any of their hosts. Everyone wants to be giant killers. In this case it is a green giant that teams take aim at.

West had 8 points and 6 assists, Wally had 12 first half points coming off the bench in a superb effort against a sluggish Celtic team in the first half. Delonte finished with a sparkling 19 points (6 of 8 shooting) and 8 assists in 25 minutes, 2nd to Durant’s 25 points (10 of 23 shooting)

I learned one thing. Kurt Thomas’ defense is every bit as good as advertised. Seattle opted to play him against Garnett in single coverage for most of the night and he did an excellent job of keeping Garnett in check. KG finished with 23 points and 14 boards but shot just 8 for 22 as Thomas stayed too close for comfort most of the night.

Paul Pierce led the scoring with 37 points that was well needed as Ray Allen could only contribute 10 points on the evening. It was Pierce and Eddie House (11 second half points) that led the 4th quarter charge to distance themselves from the Sonics.

Actually, Doc installed a special motion offense to start that 4th quarter that got the adrenaline flowing in his team and kept the Seattle defense from keeping up with them. I don’t remember seeing this offense very much, and not at all in this game until then. Instead of the usual back door screens and pop outs, the team went into somewhat of a weave at the top of the key, along with some reverse motion and that got the team some wide open looks. Seattle looked confused.

House made 4 shots and scored 11 points in the period. Pierce made 4 shots and scored 14 points to close things out in a clutch performance in the 4th. Posey played well and added 10 points to the cause.

Rondo had only one point but 5 assists in 30:32 minutes. Perkins added 8 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes.

Seattle was actually playing .500 ball (6-6) in 12 games leading up to this one.

Boston did not shoot well from inside the arc but was damaging the Sonics from downtown in a replay of last night’s game.

The Celtics pulled away when they dug in and showed some energy offensively to open the 4th quarter.

Next up is Utah on Saturday.