Celtics Crush Nets in Preseason Finale

by Greg Payne on Oct 20, 2010 9:58 PM EDT in Boston Celtics Games

While the first half might not have been anything to write home about, the Boston Celtics responded to a 55-48 halftime deficit with a 36-point third quarter, surging past the Nets and cruising to a 107-92 victory. Tonight's win wraps up a successful preseason as the C's posted a nearly flawless 7-1 record.

The Celtics (primarily the starting five of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Shaquille O'Neal), limited the Nets to 16 third quarter points.
Ray Allen scored all 14 of his points in the third quarter, with the majority of them coming after he took a Travis Outlaw elbow to the chin with 8:35 left in the frame.
Kevin Garnett played another solid game, posting 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Once again he moved very well, got up to fight for and haul in rebounds (we're already nearing the point of where we won't even need to say things like, "He was moving well" and "He looked great, physically".), and played a nice inside-outside game, mixing an array of jump hooks and layups (he missed a few bunnies) with his patented mid-range jump shot, which has been falling much, much better than it was during the first two or three preseason games.
Shaquille O'Neal was THISCLOSE to a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. He shot 4-5 from the field, and a surprising 4-5 from the free throw line. As an aside, he and Kevin Garnett really seem to love playing together. There's a noticeable chemistry between the two, whether it's on the court helping each other on defense or passing to each other when double-teams arrive on offense, or off the court where there have been numerous camera shots of them joking together on the bench.
Lawrence Frank served as head coach tonight, as Doc took the night off to continue to rest after his throat procedure.

Rajon Rondo posted a preseason high 12 assists, with six of those coming in the third quarter alone. Rondo might have a new "thing" as, on a few occasions this preseason, we've seen him jump up for an offensive rebound, only, instead of snaring it and coming down with it, he pokes it out of the air to an open teammate. They're basically touch passes out of the air. We saw it with 5:53 left in the first quarter, when Rondo shot one out of the sky to KG, who drew the foul while converting the basket.

Paul Pierce finished with 17 points on 6-9 shooting (5-5 from the free throw line). With just under 10 minutes left in the third quarter, he stole the ball from New Jersey, dished it to Rondo, sprinted down the court, took a Rondo bounce pass, rose up, and slammed it between Devin Harris and Johan Petro. You'll see it on SportsCenter.

The next time we see this team play, it'll be next Tuesday, on opening night, against the Miami Heat. Bring it on. Can't come soon enough.

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3rd Quarter was pure PO-etry

love this team

Is it Soup Yet?

by Master Po on Oct 20, 2010 10:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

well said

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Oct 20, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Indeed

by Warrior Spirit on Oct 20, 2010 10:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That 3rd quarter started me to worrying.

The Celtics turned it on so seamlessly, that I began thinking, hey, the whole regular season is going to be like this: each night, mucking about with an inferior team, waiting for everything to suddenly kick into gear. It can be intoxicating; but it can also lead to problems. Last year had a lot of us worrying about that on/off switch.

by no kidding on Oct 21, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

This season is the utter and complete opposite to the last one

Last season we blew opponents away in first and second quarter and then lost 20+ point leads in 3rd quarter to end up losing in the end. That’s because KP had to rest after the first half and we just couldn’t keep on rebounding without him. This year’s gonna be fun. First and second quarter are there to see what our opponents can do and what they can’t do. Then in third, when they think they’re winning, just like we did last year, tune up the heat, start running, get the crowd fired up and voila, 20 point lead in less than 5 minutes!

Irresponsible I stand...

by LeoMoreno on Oct 21, 2010 7:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I think a lot of the problems in the first half of this game

were that the refs kept blowing whistles left and right and nobody (especially the C’s ) could get any rhythm going. Especially the transition game, which the C’s depend on so much for scoring. I’m not going to say the refs were unfair or anything, but for much of the first half, everytime the ball came down to either end of the court, play seemed to stop on a whistle.

Even when the whistle was on the Nets, it seemed to often disrupt the Celtics. For example, on defense they would just get a rebound or a steal and before they could pass out to make a fast break, the whistle would blow.

On top of that, the C’s kept missing bunnies. They had lots of good looks at the basket but Shaq & KG in particular but also Davis and Semih kept missing easy layups.

The second half seemed to go a lot smoother. Whether it is because the players committed fewer fouls or whatever, there seemed to be a lot fewer whistles and the result was we were able to get out on numerous fast breaks.

by mmmmm on Oct 21, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL - we need some more pictures

I’ve seen that one like 5 times already at least

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Oct 20, 2010 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

Haha, right?

There were none from tonight’s game when I posted this…and I wanted one of Shaq and KG.

by Greg Payne on Oct 20, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Much better.

by Greg Payne on Oct 20, 2010 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

better

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Oct 20, 2010 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Me2

Master po!!!!! I can feel it…..

by CBleedsGreeN on Oct 20, 2010 10:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

This is the best blog to be in

Thanks Greg and Jeff…I go here everyday, just to check on what you guys wrote. Love being a Southern Cali Boston Celtic fan.

by CBleedsGreeN on Oct 20, 2010 10:16 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

thanks man

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Oct 21, 2010 5:57 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

by mmmmm on Oct 21, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

That was fun

nice seeing the guys take it up a notch in the 3rd, great to see Ray go off after the hit in the chops

bench was good tonight for the short minutes they played, Semih was active, looked good on a few plays, Baby was hitting his jumper with regularity

cracking up listening to Tommy Heinsohn’s fish story to Dave Cowens

there was even a Tiny Gallon sighting on the bench, that was quick

by Banner 18 on Oct 20, 2010 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

Yea...

the fish story by Tommy was great…especially the way Tommy was describing it and cracking up himself in laughter.

by fordescort on Oct 20, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

We even saw Sheed, man!

Irresponsible I stand...

by LeoMoreno on Oct 21, 2010 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the report, Greg,

I missed the game tonight, and forgot to record. Will try to catch the encore.

by footey on Oct 20, 2010 10:23 PM EDT reply actions

Though...

the preseason served a important role, especially acclimating the new players to Doc’s system… I am glad its over and eager to get on with the regular season.

by fordescort on Oct 20, 2010 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

What a smooth machine. I think Semi-truck is another find. He is alert, active, and has good hands. He is finding openings and Nate was finding him. The second unit has defense and firepower. Glen’s jumper was so smooth, and he was so wide open. He looked like he was taking lessons from Ray.

This is a loaded team. The only thing that can stop them is themselves. This is a special team. They don’t have to reach and be superstars every night, like a few other teams right now. If they play within their system, and stay alert, and stay hungry, This team is the one to beat.

by johnnymost on Oct 20, 2010 10:32 PM EDT reply actions

The most compelling evidence to me that Semih is the real deal

is that KG seems to pay a lot of positive attention to him. High-fives, back-slaps, chattering in his ear – that’s all good to see.

by mmmmm on Oct 21, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't wait

Tuesday can’t come soon enough. Looks like the machine is running smoothly. Get Jermaine rested up and let’s do this.

by Big_Easy on Oct 20, 2010 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

Celtics win the opener by double digits

As the Heat start the season 1-2.

by nba is the worst on Oct 20, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Bring on the Heat!

by Rebound Machine on Oct 20, 2010 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

Better yet!!

Bring home 18!!

by celt4ever on Oct 20, 2010 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Johnny most put it right

There is no where near as much pressure on our big 3 as the heats big 3. Boston is more like the big 13 every night, we have so many capable stars

by RONDOOOOO on Oct 20, 2010 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

PLEASE tell me i’m not the only one who noticed how high paul got up on that slam? Is it just me or does he look in great shape? like better than last year?

by kobeshesnotconsenting! on Oct 21, 2010 3:21 AM EDT reply actions

well

I was at the Toronto game last year when he dunked on Bosh, and that was pretty high up

I think he just pulls it out every once in a while

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Oct 21, 2010 5:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, he threw down an unbelievable dunk against the Pacers

last winter in the ’Garden. He seemed to travel an amazing distance in the air before slamming it home. My nephew and I were like, “WHAT???? How did he do that?”

I’m thinking that if Pierce wanted to, he could stand a fair chance at the slam dunk competition.

by mmmmm on Oct 21, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Greg, you forgot the most important thing of all

No, it’s not Davis’ 3 offensive rebounds in 4 minutes, but Tommy Heinsohn mentioning Sheed is more or less likely to return in the end of the season!

Irresponsible I stand...

by LeoMoreno on Oct 21, 2010 7:28 AM EDT reply actions

Haha was it Tommy

or Greg Dickerson who said that? Dickerson alluded to it at some point…Who knows.

by Greg Payne on Oct 21, 2010 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions

KG and BBD...a good sign.

I noticed that repeatedly the C’s went with KG & BBD on the court at the same time. This tells me that BBD could conceivably be on the floor in times if PP & MD needs a blow, or in the event that one of them gets hurt..he could become the third small forward replacement (particularly now that Lasme has been waived). I think that this factored in the decision to keep Wafer and let Lasme go…which is why they experimented with it so much in the last few games.
Looking at their thinness at the 3-spot, the C’s went to the tandem of KG & BBD quite frequently during the preseason and it proved very very effective.
Maybe, the cynics will say that BBD can’t totally guard some of the more fleet-footed, taller SF’s like Melo, or Lebron…but neither can they defend him.
Harangody would then fill in as backup PF bhind KG (which is his more natural position)…the guy rebounds like crazy AND has an awfully good shot, thus I wouldn’t sleep on him.

by wayne7779311 on Oct 21, 2010 11:53 PM EDT reply actions