Channing Frye and Amare Stoudemire torched Boston for 26 points each as the Phoenix Suns pounded the undermanned Celtics, 116-98.
The Celtics were without the services of Kevin Garnett (and Paul Pierce and Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels but who's counting injuries?), who due to a hyperextended knee will not play until Jan. 6 (vs Miami).
The Suns raced out to a 14-point 1st quarter lead thanks to the hot shooting of Stoudemire who made his first 8 shots. The Celtics cut the lead to 9 early in the 3rd quarter, but could get no closer.
The Celtics defense was porous. They also allowed Phoenix 12 offensive rebounds and ?? second chance points.
Frye had as many 3s (6-10) as the entire Celtics team.
Anyone else frustrated with Rasheed Wallace? He laid a giant egg tonight – 6 points on 3-11 shooting.
The Celtics needed a big game from Ray Allen and he failed to deliver. 15 points on 4-13 FGs won't cut it when KG and Paul are out of the lineup. Eddie House lead the team with 19 points.
Perk had a decent game – 13 points, 7 rebounds – but picked up another technical foul. He's gotta stop bitching to the refs.
Rondo played 32 minutes on a sore hamstring. He appeared to have tweaked the hammy in the 3rd quarter but Doc allowed him to return to the court. He finally pulled Rondo with 7 minutes left in the game and the Celtics trailing by 19. I would have preferred Lester Hudson played the final 12 minutes.
"He's gotta grow up," – Doc Rivers on Perk's 10th technical foul.
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