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For the second straight time at home things weren't exactly pretty, but the Celtics were able to surge past the New Jersey Nets late for an 89-83 victory.
- Delonte West broke his right wrist on a fall to the floor after converting a layup in transition with 2:48 to play in the second quarter. This is tough news, obviously, for a number of reasons. It's difficult to lose a player of West's caliber for an extended period, but you also obviously have concern for West as a person, given his recent history of off-the-court troubles. Hopefully this injury won't derail him in any way. Here's to the fastest recovery possible for him. If you're looking for any silver linings, it should be noted that he didn't injure his shooting wrist. But that's about as good as this one gets.
- Shaquille O'Neal deserves the game ball tonight after posting a season-high 25 points to go along with 11 rebounds. He was a monster down low, and kept the Celtics - who got down early - within shouting distance of the Nets in the first half.
- The Celtics trailed, 63-61 heading into the fourth quarter, but a Ray Allen three-pointer from the left corner with 8:07 left put the Celtics ahead 70-67. He added another three-pointer from the same spot with 3:26 left, putting Boston on top, 78-72. Paul Pierce added two jump shots of his own, and a Nate Robinson three-pointer, followed by a Kevin Garnett fast break dunk sealed things for the Celtics.
- The Nets shot 56.7 percent from the field in the first half, but just 37.8 percent from the field over the final 24 minutes. I don't know if you'd say the Celtics flipped that infamous "switch" in this game, but they definitely picked up their level of play on both sides of the ball in the second half. New Jersey mustered only 28 points in the paint for the game. Glen Davis and Shaquille O'Neal were an effective pair defensively down low early in the fourth quarter. In a span of less than three minutes the two combined to swallow up and reject shots from both Derrick Favors and Brook Lopez.
- Credit Marquis Daniels for stepping in and filling in at point guard for stretches after West left and Nate Robinson got into foul trouble. Daniels played terrific defense all night and helped to stabilize things on the offensive end when healthy guards weren't exactly at a premium.
- Doc Rivers praised Von Wafer for his defense after the game. Wafer did do a nice job of staying in front of Anthony Morrow and forcing him into an offensive foul with 11:21 left in the fourth. Wafer might be needed now, more than ever, with West most likely out for a long period of time.