The first quarter of tonight's game started to feel like last year's playoffs all over again. The Celtics looked like they were trying to take control of the game, but the Bulls were doing that thing they do…. flying in for offensive rebounds, flying everywhere on the court…. to stay in the game.
Then the second quarter happened, and the Celtics outscored the Bulls 29-18 to take a 50-35 halftime lead.
And then the third quarter happened, and the Celtics put up 38 points to take a 30 point lead and turn a highly anticipated rematch of what's widely considered one of (if not THE) greatest playoff series' of all time into a laugher that shows the very wide disparity between these two teams.
Some numbers of note:
- In 29:55 of play, Rajon Rondo dished 16 assists and grabbed 8 rebounds. He only took 2 shots, yet he had total control of the game. Oh… and only two turnovers. That's 5 turnovers in 3 games if you're keeping count… and I am (so is Rondo's agent, I'm sure).
- Ray Allen played 23:17. Which means I can step back off the ledge. He shot 7-9 and scored 20 points. Yeah, he got hot.
- Paul Pierce: 5-7 from 3… and 8 more rebounds. Pierce has been chomping glass so far this season.
- The C's defense is ridiculous. Look at these numbers from the Chicago side of the box score: 41.2% shooting, 13.3% from 3, 19 assists-15 turnovers. The scrub vs. scrub battle is the only reason Chicago scored 90 points.
And how's KG's knee you ask? Here's your answer:
Cruise through the box score. Check out Eddie House's numbers… Shelden Williams' numbers… and Marquis Daniels' numbers all came in that 2nd quarter breakout run.
In fact, we should take a second to highlight what Quisy did. Early in the game, the Celtics were in a ton of foul trouble and it could have gotten bad. But Quisy and the 2nd unit just came in and rolled the Bulls. Rolled 'em.
This bench is gonna destroy teams on a nightly basis. Book it.
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