Can any other team lose focus faster than the Celtics?
The Celtics toyed with the Kings for 2 1/2 quarters tonight. They built a 24 point lead in the 3rd quarter, only to see it evaporate into a measly 6 point advantage late in the 4th quarter. How did it happen? The bench was a minus 22. Fortunately, the Kings didn't care about winning this game. While a win is a win (94-86), the team's inability to finish off Sacramento meant additional minutes for the Big 3.
The 2nd quarter was the Rajon Rondo (6 points, 18 assists, 3 steals) show. He was picking pockets and dropping dimes like a college kid who slipped into a CYO game. On one fast break, he destroyed Sean May with his behind-the-back wrap around dribble. While May drifted away looking for the pass, Rondo exploded to the hoop for a lay-up.
Another solid performance by Kevin Garnett – 18 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks in 26 minutes. On the other end of the spectrum, Rasheed Wallace had one rebound in 24 minutes.
Injury news: Left knee tendinitis kept Kendrick Perkins on the bench. He will likely miss Sunday's game vs the Spurs. Nate Robinson twisted his ankle in the 2nd quarter and did not return. In the post game presser, Doc said Nate is 50-50 for Sunday.
Marquis Daniels did not play with the 2nd unit in the second quarter. Those minutes went to Tony Allen. Quis did play 6 minutes in the 2nd half, but it's possible Doc was trying to wake up Daniels.
Doc benched Glen Davis after he picked up a technical foul for complaining over the lack of a foul call in the 3rd quarter.
There were a few milestones tonight. Rondo surpassed Rick Fox as the team's single season leader in steals. Rondo's 18 assists are a career high. Paul Pierce knocked off John Havlicek as the Celtics all-time leader in free throws made.
The Cs have clinched the Atlantic Division. With the Hawks loss to Philly, the Celtics hold a two game lead over Atlanta in the race for the 3rd seed.
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