I can’t wipe this game from my memory fast enough. Just a big… mess. Despite running a clinic on defensive breakdowns, the Celtics managed to squeak out a 117 -115 win in 2 OT over the Mavericks.
The Green:
Rajon Rondo’s 16 points, 15 assists, 9 rebounds and 3 steals in 52 minutes. He wasn’t perfect, but he made some big plays, including some key defensive stops on OJ Mayo late in the 4th quarter.
The Celtics had just 13 turnovers in 58 minutes of basketball. In some games, they tally 13 turnover at the half.
Chris Wilcox had 10 points, 6 rebounds in 16 minutes. He was high energy. Just a fabulous all-around effort.
The Gross:
Where to begin. Let’s start with the entire defensive effort, except for the 2nd quarter. Jason Terry’s (lack of) defense on Darren Collison (18 points, 8-11 FG). Paul Pierce had 34 points, but missed 14 of 25 FGs. He made some big shots, but frustrated the hell out of me with his inability to score consistently against Derek Fisher.
The Celtics had the final possession at the end of regulation and the first overtime. Neither Rondo nor Pierce could get their shot at the rim.
The Greenlights:
Rondo’s alley-oop to Jeff Green
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLBG0zjO64w]Here’s Rondo’s silly face guard on Mayo that was whistled a foul late in the 4th quarter
The Grid:
- The Mavericks had 28 turnovers
- Pierce became the 25th player in league history to score 23,000 points
I asked my Twitter followers for suggestions on a nickname for the Rondo/Wilcox tandem. Wildo got the most votes. Flash-and-Crash was another decent one. John offered up Roncox. What do you think?
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