Boston Sports Then and Now

Rondo and the Celts improved to 8-1.

What a difference three days can make…

Unselfish play, stifling defense, hot shooting, and careful ball handling, translated into (possibly) the Celtics most impressive performance of the season. The C’s have had wider margins of victories and more dominant games but last night the offense and defense finally clicked in sync through 48 minutes. Boston, struggling early in the season, even hit 88.9 percent from the foul line.

Three days of rest, pratice and home cooking served the Celtics in redirecting their focus towards the aspects of the game that slipped as last week came to a close. The C’s three previous games (2-1) got them away from their credo of team defense and intelligent, unselfish offense. Particularly disturbing the team were their opponents ability to score the basket recently (Last three opponents– 96 points per game/49.9 field goal percentage).

“If you’re going to pride yourself on defense, then [those numbers] shouldn’t happen and they did. They saw that. And they thought it happened on both ends. Not only that happened, but then the offense wasn’t good enough, either. And there will be nights where your offense is bad and your defense has to carry you. And on those few nights where your defense is bad then your offense has to carry you. So in our mind, we let both offense, defense, let each other down on a couple nights.’’

- Doc Rivers on the Celtics recent deficiencies

The Celtics veteran core were running out of gas and it was starting to cast a shadow over the team’s play. So, after their 86-76 victory in a game that was closer then the box score reflected, 3 days of rest, regrouping and practicing in  Boston were welcome.

“We paid attention to the small things and the details because this is how that team beats you.’’

Kevin Garnett, after the game.

Blow-out victories equal more rest for vets…

The Celtics starters shot a combined 28-45  (62 percent) from the field. No starter played over 32 minutes. Ray Allen particularly benefited from the Celtics lay-off. Scoring 15 points (6-8 shooting) and continuing to exploit Garnett and Wallace’s ability to  open driving lanes by stroking the net from outside, the 34 year old guard again displayed moments of immortality while playing just 32 minutes.

“That’s the process of the progression of the game for us. Whatever they’re running, kind of push them further away from the basket and make them play on their heels a little bit.’’

- Ray Allen, after the game.

Kevin Garnett, improving every contest, scored 18 points (7-10 shooting) and

KG had another strong game and added a thunderous slam.

dominated the second half in vintage KG style. Garnett’s outside stroke continued, knocking down several shots from beyond 15 feet. The highlight of the evening was the appearance of the nightly oop from Rondo to KG. Garnett has had a hard time getting lift in completing this (vintage) Celtics play. Not last night as Garnett exploded for a two handed dunk over several Jazz defenders before landing on the parquet on his back. Kevin bounced back up like a spry rookie and proceeded down court as the Garden faithful erupted.

That was not the only highlight of the game. In a half-court sequence that should be illustrated in an offensive text book, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett all touched the ball in route to a Rondo layup. This play sums up the team’s ability to use unselfishness carefully breakdown defenses.

Williams vs Rondo…

“We want to be one of the best defensive teams in history and we know we’ve got to do it consistently.’’

Rajon Rondo, after the game.

Rondo continued to prove that he is a top 5 point guard as he out-played the injured Deron Williams (13 points, 4 assists, 3 turnovers). Rondo (14 points, 11 assists, 2 steals) pestered the Jazz on every defensive play. He guarded passing lanes and pilfered the Jazz twice while not taking risks on defense. In addition to Rondo’s two steals, he had several deflections that kept the Jazz out of offensive rhythm.

Noteworthy:

Rondo improves to 3-1 (only being outplayed by Steve Nash) in his head to head match-ups with the leagues premier point guards.

If KG is the spiritual leader but Paul Pierce remains the Captain…

Pierce remains the team’s leading scorer at 18 points per game. Embracing his roll as team captain,  Pierce has had an ability to lull his opponents into forgetting he is on the court. Quietly scoring throughout the game, the captain fits perfectly in the team’s offense. Every night, usually in the third quarter, Pierce seems to pick a moment to push the team over the edge by taking over the game. then Pierce quietly retreats back into his role in the offense. This is what great players do. They force nothing, play within the offensive structure of the team and create the momentum changing moments that take a game from a close battle to a blow-out bonanza.

Pierce did just that again last night. Scoring just 13 points on 4-7 shooting, by the box score Paul looked to have a sub-par night. Quite the contrary, the captain again took over in the third quarter, hitting two three’s, widening the gap and bringing the sell-out crowd to their feet.

“It’s noticeable. You look up and a team scores 100 points or a team shoots over 50 percent on the Boston Celtics. That’s not the type of team we are. We’re a defensive team. We don’t give up a lot of points. We don’t allow a high field goal percentage. You definitely notice it.’’

Paul Pierce, after the game.

The statements made off the court are as impressive as the statements made on the court…

The Celtics played a near perfect offensive game. Tommy-points were being dished out as frequently as assists. The Celtics scored 105 points, shot 53 percent from the field, 88.9 percent from the line, dished out 30 assists and completely decimated the Jazz in a near text book performance.

Yet, following the game, the statements the players made were dominated by the word defense. It was as if the Celtics didn’t hit one basket. This team embraces Doc Rivers challenge of being the best defensive team of all time. By last night’s performance, I would say that It’s not unlikely and I would take that statement to the bank.

Nick Gelso covers the Boston Celtics and NBA for Boston Sports Then and Now. You can check out more of his great work on his blog: North Station Sports.