Every
morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here…
highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as
satisfying a good morning dump.
took over Sunday's game? Check out his plus/minus rating, which was a
team-best (and by a wide margin) plus-16. And that might not even tell
the whole story.
Rondo registered 13 points and 11 assists, but his stamp was all
over a pair of pivotal fourth-quarter runs in which Boston pulled even,
then motored away.
With the Celtics trailing 74-69 with about eight minutes to play, Rondo assisted on a Brian Scalabrine
3-pointer, then made back-to-back driving layups to tie the game.
With the game knotted at 82 with less than three minutes to go,
Rondo assisted on three consecutive buckets, including a 3-pointer by Ray Allen with 1:38 left that put Boston out front, 89-83.
"Those situations were created by that little guy," Heat coach Erik
Spoelstra said of Rondo. "He was excellent tonight, really… I thought
he controlled this game as well as anybody and I don't know if his stat
line is really as indicative of how much impact he had on this game."
ESPN Boston: Postgame Thoughts
If we've said it once… we've said it a million times… Rajon Rondo has the ability to carry this team. We all know what he's got to do… and last night, when the team needed it, Rondo delivered.
Check out that crazy reverse layup in the video. Sure, the side-step is nice… but check out Dwyane Wade. He's setting up for a LeBron-esque chase-down block… but Rondo going to the other side of the rim took that away. Instead of getting rejected, he flipped it in (and took contact that should have been a foul).
Up next, Page 2… where Tony Allen's head is still his biggest problem
“There’s a chance he could play maybe the last couple of games on
the trip, but to us, if you’re not sure, wait ’til we come back and
just play the one game we have before we go on the next trip,” Rivers
said. “I think right now he’ll play in that game.”
Allen clearly is experiencing more trouble with his surgically repaired ankle than was anticipated.
“Just the ankle,” Rivers said. “He’s just not sure yet. That’s it.
There’s some pain I think and probably a confidence issue. We shouldn’t
put him on the floor until he’s confident.”
… so you're saying you should never put him on the floor then?
Quick… name me one time Tony Allen came back from injury and DIDN'T have a confidence problem. And why do we keep bringing it up? Because despite all his flaws… he can still help this team. Even if it's 10 minutes a game to slide in, play defense, and let Ray Allen get a couple of extra minutes on the bench.
Yeah, yeah… we know… we know… get rid of him, we don't need him… blah, blah, blah. Get it out of your systems in the comments. You have to admit that the thought of any player that can help Ray or Pierce rest some more is intriguing… especially with Marquis Daniels' phantom thumb injury.
The rest of the links:
Herald: Fine not OK by Rasheed Wallace | Garnett erupts, Celtics escape | Globe: A tough position for Ray Allen | C's keep their cool | ESPN: Eddie's old house | WEEI: 3 pointer – Garnett enjoys run of near perfection
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