The Celtics were supposed to win this one easily. They did that, but they had their moments. It was payback time for a road trip ending loss at the hands of the lowly Clippers (now 17-54) back on February 25th.
But things don’t always happen easily when Kevin Garnett isn’t in the game. Doc Rivers said before the game that he will continue to limit Kevin’s minutes. Kevin was 5 for 5 shooting for 12 points in 18 minutes.
What Kevin means to the team: Paul Pierce…
“Just everything we do offensively,defensively. As you can see the last couple of games the way we’re passing the ball, the way we’re defending at a high level, just the communication is there on both ends of the court. It opens up things plus we have such a great chemistry when our starting unit is out there…”
How about Paul himself? With a mini slump scoring of late, perhaps he’s not quite the healthiest either….
“I’m feeling pretty good. I mean, we won three in a row so…it’s alright. If I struggle and we win, I’ll take it.”
After a give back second quarter, the Celtics came out in the second half and took over the game for good. Ray Allen led the Celtic scoring with 20 points (12 in the second half) and Eddie House had a big 4th quarter (8 points) to maintain the starters ‘re-grown’ lead.
After taking a 13 point lead after one quarter with Kevin in the line-up, the Celtics gave it all back and then some in the second period. The Green Team went down by three points with 1:30 left in the half on a Zach Randolph jump shot, ending a Clipper 22-8 run to start the 2nd.
It looked like the Cs might head into half time with a deficit on their own court against the same Clipper team. The Celtics had scored just 5 points with just over 4 minutes left in the quarter. It took two Ray Allen three pointers and two foul shots by Glen Davis to re-take the lead going into half time, 44-42.
The second half was a different story.
The starters shot 12-20 (led by Ray’s 4 for 4 and 9 points) and went up by 13 before handing the bench (plus Ray Allen for 6 minutes) a 10 point fourth quarter lead. This time the bench extended the lead to 21 before calling it a night, winning by 13.
After a career high in the last game, Glen went 1-11 in this game, but was active defensively, with solid D against Zach Randolph in the second half. He hit the floor to corral a loose ball and had 4 steals in the game. A Big Baby steal, behind the back dribble, and pass to House for a three on the ensuing fast break rocked the Garden.
Making life difficult for Eric Gordon (3 for 12 , 5 turnovers), Rajon Rondo had 5 steals of his own, 7 assists and 14 points, 10 of them in the first quarter.
With Glen Davis, Mikki Moore, and Stephon Marbury playing the entire 4th quarter, they held Los Angeles to just 17 points on 5 of 14 shooting, and managed to score 20 themselves, thanks to House’s shooting, a Ray Allen ‘and one’ reverse lay-up, 4 Glen Davis foul shots and a Marbury three pointer with the shot clock running down.
The lead got as big as 21 points, 88-67, with 5:06 left. It was Gino Time with the Celtics up 88-74 with 2:34 left in the game.
Garnett The Encourager
When the Celtics reserves were about to take the court for the fourth quarter, Kevin Garnett sought out Glen Davis and Mikki Moore. He specifically went up to them and had a conversation. Just a bit animated, and putting his arms around both players before the buzzer sounded, you could tell that he was encouraging both bigs.
If one remembers an earlier time out exhortation against Portland, it would appear that the Big Intensity has grown as a leader. While I don’t think that he’ll be applying for Father Flanagan’s position any time soon, Kevin has learned that sometimes it may pay to be The Big Encourager. Kobe Bryant is learning that. Paul Pierce has learned as much.
The result? The Celtics bench grew the lead to 21 points and held on the rest of the way.
The Celtics have a big game coming up on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic. Second seed as at stake and a win here would be a big help towards that.
