Rajon Rondo had to be carried out of the arena by fellow players after playing perhaps one of the gutsiest playoff performances in a gutsy series that few will know about. Why? he just doesn’t make a big deal about it.
Celtics Win 107-86
The Celtics re-established their dominance, crushing the Bulls on Chicago’s own court by running the lead up to a mind numbing 34 second half points. It was the 4th lowest total of the Bulls entire season. Twice at the hands of the Celtics. The Celtics held them to 80 points in their second game of the year.
Strong performances by Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce led the way.
They literally stole the show with 16 steals (two off the record), 6 by Glen Davis and 5 by Rajon Rondo. They also outblocked the shot blocking Bulls by 10 to 4, led by Glen Davis’ three. Derrick Rose was a non factor again with 9 points, 7 turnovers and just two assists. The Bulls had 22 turnovers.
Rajon being carried off at the end reminded me a little bit of the movie.
Rajon the quiet, cold blooded Sundance Kid. Paul as Butch Cassidy, the talkative leader with all the ideas. They led this assault with the help of Gang Green.
In a brazen daylight train robbery, the two steely eyed desperados out shot, and out rode the Bulls as the Celtics literally stole the game right out from under their noses.
Winning at one point by 34, Sundance says to Butch, “Use enough dynamite there, Butch?”
But seeing Rondo carried out of the arena also brought thoughts of the final scene, where Butch is putting Sundance’s gun in his blood soaked, bandaged hand. Will two more days off (thank you David Stern) be enough time to reload?
A rested Paul Pierce was the first quarter sharp shooter with 13 first quarter points on 6 of 7 shooting in only 8 minutes and led all scorers with 24 points, finishing 9 of 15 shooting, with 4 three pointers. Like the banks, the Bulls, especially John Salmons, recovering from a groin injury, were ‘easy, ripe and luscious’. Pierce was easily able to get separation from him.
Rondo – A Gamer
In an inspirational display of determination and overflowing testosterone, Rondo added 20 points with 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 steals on a heavily taped and swollen ankle. Astonishing under the circumstances, even more as he was beating Bulls players to the hoop on drives and on fast breaks.
Davis Goes ‘Kirilenko’ on Bulls
Glen Davis filled the stat sheet as he never has before. The player known as Big Baby is growing before our eyes and added 14 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals, and 3 blocked shots. Not a basketball player? Says who?
Ray Allen added 18 points on 6 of 12 shooting, 3 of 4 from the three point line, with two steals but no rebounds or assists in 35 minutes.
Marbury Lives
Stephon Marbury had his first good game off the bench with 13 points (4-10) in 24 minutes, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds and a gash or cut above his left eye from mixing it up underneath.
Mikki Moore joined the party with three blocks in 20 minutes and the best defense he has played so far.
They looked like the old Celtics – almost. You know. The ones from earlier in the year that had Kevin Garnett on the team. They were nearly that good, as they held the Bulls to their lowest output of the series and .375% shooting. The Bulls did out rebound them 45-37, and grabbed fifteen offensive boards to the Celtics’ eight.
An unruffled, even non-chalant Truth has been saying all along that he would figure things out, as the series wore on. Tonight was the night.
Even this outstanding performance was extra efficient with little wasted energy. Paul Pierce did his damage in just 27 plus minutes. But in Un-Truth like fashion, he grabbed but a single rebound and had no assists.
I’d say the questions remain about Pierce’s physical/mental state. Yet, he seemed to move fairly well, though he kept his game compact, smartly avoiding the middle. He did most of his damage from mid-range and beyond the three point line (4-8). The Bulls were packing it in on him inside. He often found room further out, as John Salmons couldn’t get around the picks, or as Pierce faked the drive and stepped back for the jumper.
The starters established a big enough lead to hand the game over to the second line players. No one played more than 39 minutes and that was Davis.
Rondo hurt his ankle during the regular season, and re-injured it on a play with 5 minutes left in the second game. Still swollen, he said to just tape it up. “I’m playing.” Play he did, leading the Celtics to victory and further cementing his place as part of the Big Four.
I said before the playoffs began, that the biggest spotlight is on Rondo. All the talk about how good he is, comes down to now. Kevin Garnett is out and if the Celtics were to go anywhere, Rondo would have to shoulder a big scoring burden every game. Prove you are as good as you think you are. Rondo has made that leap. He is shouldering as much or more as any of the Big Three would. Rondo is playing his heart out.
The game was virtually over by half time, with Pierce scoring 18 first half points, and Rajon Rondo adding 16. The Celtics were up by 22 at 59-37 while shooting .511 to the Bulls .324. The Cs were 6 of 8 from the arc, had ten steals and only four turnovers themselves.
It was a dominating performance by the team. Captain Pierce swore would they do just that. If there were questions whether this team could play that way without Garnett against the young, talented Bulls, they were answered emphatically tonight.
Former Mates Davis and Thomas Get Physical
The Bulls were led in scoring by Ben Gordon with a mere fifteen. If there was any competition between former college alumni on this night, it was between Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis and Tyrus ‘The Real Big Baby’ Thomas.
Glen fouled Thomas on a lay up attempt and wrapped him up a bit. Tyrus shoved Glen with a jolt and turned away. Thomas received a technical foul, as Davis stood there surprised by his former team mate’s disrespectful shove.
A game like this should be a momentum changer. It regains the lost home court advantage and could rupture the confidence of the young Bulls team. Pierce, after the game, sounded like he wants to sweep the Bulls at their home on Sunday.
Let’s hope they didn’t use up all their dynamite and that Sundance has reloaded.
