Anyone else develop an ulcer from that game? The Celtics beat the Rockets 97-92 in overtime in a wildly inconsistent performance.
For most of the second half, the Celtics resembled The Walking Dead. Doc Rivers ordered up some full-court pressure and it snapped them out of their funk.
Ray Allen's (21 points) three-pointer with 35 seconds left was the cap on a furious 14-2 run late in the 4th. I was ready to tie the bow on a fantastic comeback. And then it happened. The Rondo bobble and missed lay-up. Goran Dragic's game-tying jumper was just a formality.
The Celtics started OT strong (Paul Pierce with 7 of his 30 points), but refused to run away with this one. Up 3 with 47 seconds left, Kevin Garnett (13 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks) missed TWO free throws. After Houston missed, Pierce turned the ball over on an 8 second count. This is how point-shavers try to blow games!
I guess you could ignore all the floundering plays and say the Celtics gutted out a tough win. I have a hard time spinning the game in that manner.
Brandon Bass (8 points, 3 rebounds) had to leave the game for several minutes in the 1st quarter to get re-taped. Doc referenced an injury in his post game press conference. Maybe an ankle tweak?
Greg Stiemsma had 8 points in 13 minutes. He was the only bench player to have a positive impact.
The rebounding differential was hideous: 57-38
Look at Houston's quarterly point totals. Boston allowed 28 points in the 1st and 3rd quarters, but held the Rockets to 28 points combined in the 2nd and 4th. How is that possible? Anything is possible with this team.
The Celtics will be anything but rested when they face Philly tomorrow night with the division lead on the line.
(Photo by Steve Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
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