Another unimpressive performance by the Celtics. Fortunately, the Cs came out on top 95-89.
Rajon Rondo lead the Celtics with 16 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. He dictated the tempo and showed a lot of energy, especially in the 2nd half.
Paul Pierce had 22 points, KG had 17 points. Perk hit the glass hard for 15 rebounds. The Celtics hit just 23 of 34 free throws.
The Cs had a strong 3rd quarter (21-15). They got a bunch of easy baskets thanks to some great passing and Rondo's aggressiveness.
Rather than knockout the Clippers in the 4th quarter, the Celtics let them back into the game. Led by Craig Smith (11 of his 13 points came in the 4th), the Clips stuck around and found themselves down by only 4 (77-73) with 5 minutes to go. A Paul Pierce 25-footer subsequently killed all the Clippers momentum.
Anyone else growing tired of these mediocre performances against bad teams?
Condensation on the court was a major problem in this game. The game would have been called had one more player slipped on the parquet, Doc Rivers said during his post game press conference.