Eastern Conference Semifinals: Game 5 - The Rajon Rondo Game?

by Jim Weeks on May 15, 2008 11:44 PM EDT in Green Bandwagon

With 3:41 to go in the first half the Celtics trailed the Cavaliers 43-29 and LeBron James was lighting up the TD Banknorth Garden. Boston worked the ball around until Rajon Rondo assisted on a Kevin Garnett jumper that cut the deficit to 12.

After a Zyrdunas Ilgauskas air ball Paul Pierce pushed the ball before dishing to Kendrick Perkins. From there it went Perk to Rondo to Pierce to KG to Pierce and back to KG. Garnett drove, drew the double and found a wide open Rondo. The former Kentucky Wildcat nailed a three. 9 point Cavaliers lead.

The Cavs did not capitalize on an offensive rebound, turning the ball over instead. Once again Pierce pushed the tempo. This time he found Ray Allen on the wing. Allen immediately kicked it to Rondo in the opposite corner. He measured the shot and let another three pointer fly. Once again he found nothing but net. Now the crowd was rocking and the C’s were in striking distance.

On the opposite end of the court Rondo ran around like a mad man. Cleveland buckled under the pressure, turned it over and was forced to foul Pierce on the break. He hit both freebies to bring the Celtics within 4.

Just when it looked like nothing could go wrong Delonte West nailed a three. KG answered with a jumper. 5-point game.

After a ill-fated LeBron James fall away jumper missed the mark Boston had the ball with 20 seconds to go. Pierce went to work on West to cut the margin to 3 at the half. All things considered that wasn’t too bad.

Rondo finished with 20 points, 13 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and only 1 turnover in 42 minutes of playing time. Some of those baskets were floaters in the lane and one of those assists set up KG for a nice dunk. But I loved the first half three pointers. After all that has been said about his shooting ability it was great to see him knock a few down and kick start Boston's comeback. And he really was the energizer bunny on defense. There's a reason Celtics fans love this guy.