Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying a good morning dump.
The Celtics opened the fourth quarter with a 69-54 lead. That’s a comfortable margin, but it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see the starters back on the floor at some point to finish it off. Instead, the bench pushed the lead to 33 points and the starters never had to take off their warmups again. Those kinds of unexpected gifts are invaluable over the course of the season.
Paul Flannery - WEEI Fast Break Celtics-Sixers
Chuck put the number in last night's recap. The C's bench outscored Philly's bench 62-25. They started the 4th with Marquis Daniels, Rasheed Wallace, Shelden Williams, Eddie House, and Ray Allen. The C's went on 16-4 run without Ray scoring once in that stretch to put the game away before Ray sat for good.
We have to keep in mind that this is still Philly we're talking about. And while they're young and talented, they're still nowhere near the C's. But the C's have had problems with young, athletic teams that might not have been up to their level in the past (Chicago, Atlanta). And I'll take 23 minutes for KG, 31 minutes for Paul Pierce and 31 minutes for Ray Allen wherever I can get it.
“They take a lot of pressure off us,’’ Paul Pierce said. “We saw it early, the potential of our bench. Hopefully, they’ll continue to do the things to make them play great.
“The more rest the better. That means we’re playing well, and, knowing it’s a long season, it’s going to pay off late in the season.’’
Pierce said the intrasquad scrimmages have improved both the starters and the second unit.
“It’s tough to stop them, actually, and that’s why I think our defense is so good,’’ Pierce said, “because if we stop them, we can pretty much stop anybody.’’
After the jump, Page 2, where Rondo had the play of the day.
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Chuck linked to it last night, but it's worth seeing again. Rajon Rondo from behind the backboard to beat the first quarter buzzer. That, folks, is your NBA play of the day.
By the way, we're hosting another live chat tonight! It starts at 7:45. C's-TWolves starts at 8.
If you missed the Len Bias documentary, you can watch it here.
The rest of the links:
Herald: Rasheed Wallace shows the way in Philly | Rondo-Paul talk lingers | C's at TWolves scouting report | Globe: fine expected for Rondo, Paul | NESN: Pierce showing no signs of slowing down | CSN: Same old story as C's rout Sixers
