BOSTON – A perfect start for Rajon Rondo culminated in a bumpy finish for the former Celtics star. But his early barrage of threes was bookended by some more late-game magic, as his Dallas Mavericks beat the Boston Celtics 119-100.
With a career-high five three-pointers and 29 points, Rondo played his best game of the season. Was it because he was making his return to Boston, or because the game was technically on national TV?
No amount of motivation could have explained his 7-for-7 start that saw him reach 18 points before the entire Celtics game. Things slowed down for him until the Celtics made it a close contest in the fourth quarter. Rondo responded with seven late points to reopen the big lead and secure the win for Dallas.
Ironically, his replacement, Marcus Smart, had a game-high seven assists. A 15-point fourth quarter from Avery Bradley made what was a 28-point lead into a competitive game, but Rondo and the Mavs never let the game get out of control.