The 29 win Pelicans – fresh off a 14 point loss to the lowly 76ers – walked into the Garden tonight with a starting lineup of Omer Asik, James Ennis, Toney Douglas, Alexis Ajinca, and Dante Cunningham. And that jumbled mess of mediocrity proceeded to engage the Celtics in a fight to the death. Fortunately, talent prevailed as the Celtics won 104 – 97.
On most nights a team that forces 22 TOs while committing just 9 wins easily. But not tonight. Every time the Celtics would pull away, the Pelicans would scratch and claw back. They played like… the Celtics.
Boston won because they had the best player on the court – Isaiah Thomas (32 points, 10-19 FG, 8 assists, +22). He was masterful.
This was the anti-Celtics path to victory but who am I to complain? Green stay in 4th, a half game ahead of Miami.
Green
Marcus Smart had a solid all-around game: 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals and 4 stitches (eye laceration).
Amir Johnson’s block and Avery Bradley’s subsequent 3-pointer in the final minute sealed this win.
Gross
Kelly Olynyk was guarded by a pudgy looking Kendrick Perkins and managed just 7 points on 2-6 FG. He should have had 35.
Greenlights
My favorite play of the game: RJ finds IT for the layup before the half
Beautiful execution by RJ & Isaiah: https://t.co/Su94nMHMeD
— KWAPT (@KWAPT) April 7, 2016
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Amir Johnson rejects Luke Babbitt
— KWAPT (@KWAPT) April 7, 2016
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Grid
- Boston is 17-2 at home since January 13
- Perk (3 points, 4 rebounds) was a team high +14
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