The Boston Celtics finished up a 4 game road trip with a 3-1 record after winning a closely contested game in Utah Monday night. They beat Utah 107-102 behind a 25 point air assault from Ray Allen and 21 more from Paul Pierce.
February 24th Trade Effects Still Fresh
That they did this while they continue to absorb a huge chemistry challenge, both on court and off court, was no little thing. To be fair, Utah is going through a bigger tumult than Boston after trading (to New Jersey) the face of the franchise for the past 6 years and one of the league’s top point guards in Deron Williams for Nets guard Devin Harris and Derrick Favors (and draft picks).
The Celtics sent a shock wave through the league when they traded away starting center Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the OKC Thunder 2 games ago for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. They also traded Semih Erden and Luke Harangody to Cleveland for a 2nd round draft pick. The Big Green Machine is dealing with the aftershocks now.
Besides the trade, Delonte West sprained his ankle in practice and did not play.
In light of the transitional issues both teams are dealing with, it was a great game to watch. Each team took turns ripping off runs.
After starting in the hole 10-2, Boston ripped off a 25-4 run to go up 27-14 with 2:37 left in the first period. It looked like the beginning of a rout. It would be Boston’s largest lead of the night.
The Jazz returned the favor (Derrick Favors?) by tying the game at 46 all with 3:19 left on a Devin Harris driving lay-up. The biggest lead the rest of the game by either team would be 6 points.
Paul Pierce took the reins in the first half and scored 16 points for the Celtics, on 3 of 6 shooting but got to the line for 9-9 foul shooting. Pierce went cold for a while in the second half but hit a critical three pointer with 1:56 left to put Boston up 5 at 101-96. Pierce added 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal.
Ray Allen began his own excellent shooting display by lining up 3 of 4 three pointers for 9 of his 11 first half points. He finished 9 of 15 shooting with 5 three pointers made.
Nenad Krstic had 10 of his 11 points in the first half, including converting an alley oop from Rondo and got a congratulatory Rondo hand slap on his return down court. Rondo must start to see what each new player can do as the games are played because there is so little practice time now, especially on the road.
Al Jefferson who shot just 1 of 11 the last time the two teams met, scored 18 first half points and finished with 28 and 19 rebounds. He is now the focal point of the offense with Williams gone. Devin Harris had a few acrobatic drives to the hoop and finished with 19 points and 5 assists.
The Celtics played well defensively in spurts but Utah managed to penetrate the Cs interior for 54 points in the middle. I’d have to check, but I believe that could be a season high (or low – depending on how you want to look at it). New Celtic center Krstic started and played well at times but clearly is not Kendrick Perkins defensively.
With Delonte West out with a wrist injury, rookie Avery Bradley saw minutes (6) at the point and did his best to push the tempo. At one point he made a beeline for the length of the court and beat the retreating Jazz defense for a lay-up.
Rajon Rondo played an energetic 42 minutes and contributed 18 points and 11 assists as Rajon had his jumper going, granted he was left open each time. Rondo added 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
Kevin Garnett played well but had his hands full with Al Jefferson and they had words in the second half. Former Celtic ‘Big Al’ was the main trade piece in getting Garnett to Boston and since then he has never beaten his former team. After a scare tonight that record is still intact. Garnett added 16 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and a block.
Glen Davis had a tough game shooting, but played well defensively at times. Davis drew his league leading 40th charge. In spite of that, Jefferson gave Davis trouble as well. Boston won the rebound battle 42-41.
Ray Allen looked as crisp as a fresh air, line dried, linen sheet smelled last night (that is called a tortured analogy. But yes, I reveled in that one.) ‘Ray-gun’ aka The Blade, aka Smooth Shooter, made big shot after big shot to keep the Celtics in it. He hit a 2 pointer with his foot on the line to give Boston the winning points at 103-99 with 53.5 seconds left.
So the Celtics head home for a game Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns and Steve Nash. They are now 42-15, but just 6-4 over their last 10 games. They lead the Heat by a half game for home court in the East come playoff time.
Ty Corbin, the Jazz new head coach since Jerry Sloan retired, is just 1-6 since he took over.
At this moment, it is up in the air whether Troy Murphy will join the Celtics or the Heat. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports that both Danny Ainge and Pat Riley will call Troy directly to plead their respective cases.
The Celtics are also interested in other bought out players like tall defensive small forward Cory Brewer and three point shooting expert Jason Kapono.
Newly acquired 6′ 9″ Jeff Green went 2 of 6 for just 5 points and 2 boards in over 19 minutes as Doc Rivers tries to figure out how to include Green in the offense.
