The Boston Celtics, led by Paul Pierce’s 23 points, including 6 in the last minute, defeated the Cavaliers on their own court for the first time since 2004.
Kevin Garnett looked good in his first game back from off season knee surgery, scoring 13 points on 5 of 10 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds, while blocking three shots. He also got his first technical foul of the season. Shaking off some rust, KG missed two dunks in the game. But KG is back and so are the Celtics.
It was the second straight regular season home loss for the Cavaliers, including the final home game last season against the 76ers. Before that, they had only lost one home game all year.
Rajon Rondo passed out 10 assists, grabbed 6 rebounds, pocketed 3 steals and added 8 points. Ray Allen scored 16 points on 5 of 16 shooting, but added 3 steals of his own.
Comeback Game in a Comeback Year
Hitting 7 first half three point shots, the Celtics slowly recovered from a lethargic opening quarter where they were down 21-7 at one point. O’Neal was getting solid position on Kendrick Perkins, making 8 first half points. Lebron was leading the Cavalier scoring with 38 points and was coming from out of nowhere to block what looked like easy dunks and lay ups on fast breaks by the Celtics. Rondo and Ray Allen both had sure baskets rejected by James. He ended with 4, mostly highlight reel, blocks.
Led by new comer Rasheed Wallace’s two three pointers, the Celtics’ bench outscored the Cavalier’s bench 17-2 in the first half and helped lead the Boston comeback. Marquis Daniels scored 7 points in 17 minutes and, with a few exceptions, played decent defense on James.
It is Wallace’s ability to hit that deep shot that will make opposing defenses send their big man out to guard Rasheed, opening things up in the middle for drives to the hoop by Pierce, Rondo, and Daniels. Wallace also showed off his inside game with 2 blocks
Shaquille O’Neal made his ‘Big Witness Protection Program’ presence felt with two hard fouls on Garnett going to the hoop. Both times Garnett jumped up acting unfazed. ‘I did not hit a brick wall’, he kept telling himself. (Well, that was what he was thinking.)
Perkins played Shaq much better in the second half, holding him to only two points more.
Boston fought back to reverse that 14 point 1st quarter deficit to lead by 66-52 by the 5:44 point of the third quarter, on a Rondo lay up. Mo Williams then made 6 straight Cavalier points before handing the scoring baton to LeBron James for Cleveland’s last 7 points of the quarter to close within 72-65.
The Cavs closed to within 4 points twice, before Pierce took over with time running down to clinch it.
The Quickens Loan Arena was rocking as Cleveland has high hopes that this is their year…finally. Boston has plans of their own, and on this night, Boston’s dream trumped Cleveland’s.
Boston headed home for their first home game tonight against the Charlotte Bobcats at 7:30.
