Celtics vs Nets Highlights

Last night's game between the Celtics and Nets was downright ugly at times, let's not kid ourselves.  However, there were surprisingly a number of highlights from each quarter.  Since this was the case, I've decided to separate the highlights by quarter for this game.

Q1: Begins with a hysterical Greg Dickerson/Rajon Rondo interview clip, with Rondo providing a short answer to his question about how good the bench will be this season.  Mike Gorman can't help but chime in shortly after.  Other highlights:

• Good defense followed up with solid transition/fast break plays
• Rondo and KG working the old Antoine Walker/Paul Pierce transition sealed-off post play'
• Shaq backing down Brook Lopez for the power slam, reverting into Orlando Shaq
• Tommy Heinsohn gives Mike Gorman a technical foul, not a Tommy Point
• Pierce with a tough drive to the basket, and 1
• Ray Allen with a smooth reverse left-handed lay-in

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Jm6OgJRHU&w=445&h=275]  

Q2: The second quarter begins with Gorman comparing it to a Snickers bar, which draws a bit of snickering from Tommy.  These two are the best announcing duo in sports, hands down.  Other highlights include:

• How the bench brought the C's back to life on both ends of the court
• Big Baby scoring with deep jumpers, and solid post play
• Marquis Daniels driving to the basket for the lay-up, and 1
• Semih Erden playing good post defense, boxing out, rebounding and being generally active
• Semih's Kevin McHale-esque spin move for the left-handed lay-in
• Nate Robinson hitting transition and spot-up threes
• Quis, and Nate diving for a loose ball
• Tommy sharing Doc's feeling about the "parade of technical fouls" being called
• Derrick Favors missing a power jam, leading to Delonte West drilling a three in transition
• A cornucopia of Delonte and Big Baby offensive sets leading to baskets, highlighted by a sensational two-handed Big Baby slam to end the half
• Big Baby leaves KG hanging on a high-five

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UO3lq_t8CI&w=445&h=275]  

Q3: The second half begins with a sweet Ray Allen jumper, followed by a Paul Pierce three baseline three, from an baseline dead-ball play.  Rondo hit them both up.  Other highlights include:

• An active Shaq put-back
• Paul Pierce partying like it's 1999 (rookie year) with a beautiful transition spin-move for the lay-in
• Pierce diving for the loose ball, earning a Tommy Point
• Shaq with a power and 1 lay-up
• Pierce with an up-and-under reverse lay-in
• Mike and Tommy dissect a solid screen set by Erden, who was whistled for a foul
• Three consecutive quality defensive sets, with Big Baby playing a key role in each

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4LX36UARQQ&w=445&h=275]  

Q4: The final quarter begins with Nate finding Luke Harangody for a nice drive, then another drive to the basket by Marquis.  Other highlights include:

• Stephane Lasme with the active weak-side help defense
• Lasme's activity on the offensive glass, leading to a Nate three
• Marquis Daniels' clutch three-pointer to seal the win
• Nate's icing-on-the-winning-cake free throws
• Some funny facial expressions by Avery Johnson and Brook Lopez
• Big Baby saying hello to the TV audience in an interesting way

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8t-uPlyblI&w=445&h=275]