Ray Allen (ankle) started in place of injured Avery Bradley, but hit just 4-of-11 shots and one 3-pointer for nine points before fouling out of Wednesday's 82-75 Game 6 loss at Philly.
He was in foul trouble early and missed a wide open three late that would have made things interesting down the stretch. Rajon Rondo also struggled, hitting just 4-of-14 shots for nine points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals, Kevin Garnett added 20 points and 11 boards, and Paul Pierce finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, and hit all 13 of his free throw attempts. The Celtics were 20-of-23 from the free throw line tonight, and the score would have been much more lopsided had the Sixers matched them at the line. It sounds like Bradley won't play in Game 7 due to his shoulder injury, which is Saturday at Boston.
Tyson Chandler, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year, landed on the league's All-Defensive Second Team.
Yes, we think it's rather odd also. Joining Chandler are Rajon Rondo, Kobe Bryant, Luol Deng and Kevin Garnett. Bryant's placement on this list continues to raise eyebrows (as it has for the last 2-3 seasons), and we would have liked to see someone like Andre Iguodala be acknowledged instead.
Brandon Bass tied a career-high with 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting (9-of-10 from the foul line), six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in the Celtics' 101-85 Game 5 win over the Sixers on Monday.
With just 10 turnovers and advantages across the stat sheet, the Celtics controlled the game and control the series heading into Wednesday's Game 6. Rajon Rondo went for 13 and 14, Ray Allen continued to be quiet with five points on 2-of-7 shooting, KG scored 20 points with six boards and two steals, Paul Pierce scored 16 points, and Greg Stiemsma showed up with 10 points and three blocks.
Kevin Garnett hit just 3-of-12 shots for nine points and had seven turnovers in the Celtics' Game 4 loss on Friday, but still added 11 rebounds, two steals, and three blocks in the loss.
The Celtics had a commanding lead throughout the first half, but got outscored 61-37 in the second half and now the series is tied up at two games a piece. Rajon Rondo went for 15 and 15 with two steals and a block, Paul Pierce hit 8-of-13 shots for 24 points with four triples, two steals, and two blocks, Brandon Bass had 15 points, and Ray Allen struggled hitting 2-of-6 shots for five points.
Kevin Garnett had 27 points and 13 rebounds on 12-of-shooting to lead the Celtics past the Sixers 107-91 in Game 3 on Wednesday.
Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce also had double-doubles with Rondo going for 23 points and 14 assists while Pierce added 24 points to go along with 12 rebounds. The Celtics dominated the Sixers starting in the second quarter where they outscored Philadelphia 32-16.
Kevin Garnett scored 28 points on 10-of-19 shooting (8-of-10 from the foul line) with 14 rebounds, three steals, and five blocks in the Celtics' 83-80 closeout win over the Hawks on Thursday.
Garnett hasn't received nearly enough credit for the season he has had in both fantasy and reality, and tonight he made big play after big play to send the Hawks fishing. Rajon Rondo put up 14 points with eight assists, and Paul Pierce added 18 points with five rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block. Ray Allen (ankle) hit just 1-of-7 shots (all threes) and missed a key free throw late -- and he'll need to step up his game if the Celtics have any designs on a championship.
Paul Pierce hit 7-of-17 shots and two 3-pointers for 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, despite playing on a sore left knee, but it wasn't enough as the Celtics fell 87-86 in Game 5 in Atlanta.
Pierce sat out for a long stretch in the fourth quarter, but it looks like he'll be a go for Game 6 on Thursday. Rajon Rondo had 13 points, 12 assists and five steals in 44 minutes, Kevin Garnett had 16 points and seven boards, Brandon Bass added 14 & 7, and Ray Allen came off the bench for 15 points and two 3-pointers. Now that Allen is healthy, Avery Bradley has taken a back seat, and had just two points in 18 minutes tonight.
Al Horford, who was supposedly on a minutes count, played 41 of them and hit 8-of-15 shots for 19 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks to lead the Hawks to an 87-86 win over the Celtics in Game 5.
The Hawks turned it over on a horrible inbounds pass with 10 seconds left, and then Rajon Rondo fumbled the ball late, as the Hawks held on for the one-point win. Josh Smith added 13 points, 16 rebounds and six assists on 6-of-16 shooting, Joe Johnson scored 15, Jeff Teague had 16 points and two 3-pointers, and Marvin Williams had 15 points and three 3-pointers. The Hawks five starters were the only ones in double figures, and Game 6 is in Boston on Thursday, with the Celtics leading the series 3-2.
Paul Pierce had 36 points, 14 rebounds and eight turnovers as the Celtics held off the Hawks to steal a Game 2 win in Atlanta, despite playing without suspended Rajon Rondo.
Pierce's turnovers were a problem tonight, but he made up for it in other ways, including hitting some clutch free throws and playing good defense. He also "Tebowed" a couple times late, including one at midcourt on the Hawks' logo. The series now moves to Boston for two straight, and the Hawks will have to hope Josh Smith, who left with sprained left knee, is able to play on Friday. They'll also need to find a way to penetrate the Celtics defense, which took over the game in the fourth quarter. Kevin Garnett was the only other Celtic in double-figures, finishing with 15 points and 12 boards in the win, which gives the Celtics homecourt advantage.
Avery Bradley will start at point guard in Game 2 with Rajon Rondo suspended.
Bradley has become a fixture in the starting lineup at shooting guard, but he'll shift over to the point for this one. Our guess is that Boston will run its offense through Paul Pierce, who has shown an ability to facilitate for his teammates previously when Rondo has been sidelined.
Mickael Pietrus will start at shooting guard in Game 2 against the Hawks.
With Ray Allen (ankle) doubtful and Rajon Rondo suspended, Pietrus will draw the start alongside Avery Bradley in the backcourt. In four games as a starter at shooting guard this season, Pietrus averaged 10 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 treys. However, Pietrus had no points (0-of-2 shooting) in 20 minutes in Sunday's Game 1.
Kevin Garnett (hip flexor) and Rajon Rondo (back) will start against the Bucks on Thursday, and Greg Stiemsma (plantar fasciitis) and Ray Allen (ankle) will be held out.
There will likely be a lot of out-of-town scoreboard watching by Doc Rivers and company, as a Hawks win would settle the issue of home court advantage in Atlanta's favor. KG and Rondo are decent starts even on a busy night since the Celtics wouldn't mind winning, while Avery Bradley, Paul Pierce, and Brandon Bass should also be in many owners' lineups.
Kevin Garnett (hip flexor) and Rajon Rondo (back) "could return to the lineup" on Thursday against the Bucks.
Doc Rivers had previously said that he planned to play his starters on Thursday to ensure homecourt advantage for the first round of the playoffs, but it's not a 100 percent certainty. Both Garnett and Rondo need to be healthy for the postseason, and Rivers has valued health over homecourt advantage previously. We'll have another update on each player's status after shootaround.
Doc Rivers said after Tuesday's win that he's going to play his healthy guys on Thursday in an effort to put pressure on Atlanta to win against Dallas and ensure homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
"We’re going to play our guys Thursday...it would be nice to put some more pressure and force Atlanta to have to win," Rivers said. Kevin Garnett was out with a sore hip flexor on Tuesday, and Ray Allen (ankle) and Rajon Rondo (back) wouldn't have played in any situation due to their injuries. Expect Greg Stiemsma and KG to be back on Thursday, and look for Rondo to play if his back allows him to. Allen's ankle injury is a different animal, and it appears that he might be done until the playoffs, but he hasn't been ruled out for the finale, either.
Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo and Greg Stiemsma have all been ruled out for the Celtics on Tuesday.
The starters are listed as Keyon Dooling, Avery Bradley, Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass and Ryan Hollins, and the fact that KG was expected to play is going to leave a mark in fantasyland. Sean Williams could actually be productive tonight off the bench.
Paul Pierce had 29 points, five rebounds and a career-high 14 assists in Wednesday's win over the Magic.
It's not a coincidence that Rajon Rondo was out tonight with a sore back, as Pierce played more of a point guard role than starter Avery Bradley. Pierce is crushing it this week, going for a season-high 43 points on Tuesday, and playing well despite a sore thigh. Bradley had 23 points, but just one assist on 10-of-14 shooting in the start at point guard.
Kevin Garnett had 21 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and a block in Saturday's win over the Nets.
Rajon Rondo added four points and 15 more assists, as the Celtics are healthy and hot at the right time of the year. However, with a matchup against the lowly Bobcats on Sunday and their third road game in three nights, it's possible the Celtics could bench several stars tomorrow. Watch for news prior to tip-off.
Paul Pierce scored 22 points on 8-of-21 shooting (including three treys) with eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Celtics' loss to the Bulls on Thursday.
Doc Rivers said the team played like the 'cool Celtics' tonight, and he didn't mean it as a compliment. Rajon Rondo had 10 points, four boards, and 12 assists, and Kevin Garnett added 12 points, 14 boards, and four assists in the loss.
Paul Pierce scored a season-high 36 points on Monday against the lowly Bobcats, hitting 10-of-20 shots from the field (1-of-6 from deep, 15-of-18 from the foul line) with 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks.
We've covered this in a few places, but the Celtics' starting five is going to be productive due to all of the injuries. Rajon Rondo had seven points, six rebounds, 13 assists, and two steals, Kevin Garnett scored 24 points, and Brandon Bass put up 15 points with five rebounds and a block.
Kevin Garnett scored 20 points on 10-of-19 shooting with eight rebounds, four assists, and a block in the Celtics' loss to the Sixers on Friday.
With the Celtics running a skeleton crew right now, the main characters are having their way in fantasy leagues. Rajon Rondo scored six points with five rebounds and 17 assists, Paul Pierce put up 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting (including three treys) with nine rebounds and five assists, and Brandon Bass scored 18 points with four rebounds and a steal in the loss.
