Boston Celtics sneak past New Jersey Nets
Boston Celtics squeezed out an 89-83 win over the New Jersey Nets in front of their home fans at the TD Garden. The defeat meant New Jersey slumped to their tenth loss of the season.
High - Flying Players
Shaquille O'Neal played a vital role in Boston’s win. He produced his second consecutive double-double, by scoring a season-high 25 points and 11 rebounds. Paul Pierce (18 points, four assists, five rebounds) and Ray Allen (15 points, seven assists, four
rebounds) joined in with O'Neal to lead the Celtics to their second consecutive win.
Devin Harris scored a team-high 20 points for New Jersey. Starters Anthony Morrow (18 points, 4 rebounds) and Brooke Lopez (16 points, 5 rebounds) were the other notable scorers for the Nets.
Story of the Game
The Celtics looked a bit sluggish early on in the game; however they finished the first quarter with a slender one-point lead at 18-17. O’ Neal dominated the court during the first period of the game with eight points.
The Nets then put in a gritty defensive display in the second quarter, to lead by eight points at 46-38 at half-time.
New Jersey continued their hard work after the break, and managed to hold on to their lead at the end of the third quarter, though the deficit was cut to just two points at 63-61.
The Celtics managed to claw ahead in the fourth quarter, and then hit some big shots down the stretch for an important win. Pierce (8 points) and O’ Neal (7 points) led the scoring in the final period as Boston edged past the Nets 89 – 83.
Devin Harris hit back-to-back baskets in the final two minutes to help New Jersey cut the deficit to 82-78, but it was too little, too late.
Turning Point of the Game
The Celtics were struggling, and trailed for nearly all of the first three-quarters of the game, but O'Neal's spark pushed the team ahead in the final period of the game. With the clock running down, a 3-pointer by Ray Allen, and two more free-throws from
Shaq pushed the lead to five points (72-67).
Paul Pierce took command in the game's closing moments, and spurred the Celtics' 9-1 run in the fourth, with a few mid-range jumpers and an assist on Ray Allen's three-pointer.
Shining Star
Marquis Daniels replaced Delonte West, who left the game with a broken right wrist, at point guard position late in the second quarter of the game. Daniels scored four points, four assists, and three rebounds in 27 minutes of action on the court.
Meter down
There was a considerable lack of pace in Boston’s play, as they were without Rajon Rondo (hamstring injury) for the third consecutive game. It was however Ray Allen’s crucial three-pointer in the final session allowed the Celtics to stamp home to victory.
Quotable
O’Neal said after the game, "This is a great team. The best team I have been on. We have many weapons on this team. On any given night, anyone can be the leading scorer; it is a very unselfish team. Great game, great team effort, we just have to keep it
going.”
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