Rajon Rondo’s triple-double leads Boston Celtics to a 94-86 win over Washington Wizards: NBA Recap
Rajon Rondo has become such a necessary part of the Boston Celtics fabric that sometime his contribution are taken for granted.
The point guard has been the only shining light of the Greens campaign so far this season, which started 0-3, and against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night, the swingman erupted with a triple-double to orchestrate a 94-86 win, the second consecutive one for the Eastern Conference giants.
Rondo had 18 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds and Boston also found good contribution from Kevin Garnett with 24 points and 9 rebounds. Doc Rivers, the Celts coach has got so used to the contribution from Rondo that he only came to know about Rondo’s 14th career triple-double after he glanced at the stat sheet after the game;
"I didn't even know that. I just knew he played great. He was sensational all night. He had one of those nights -- he had this last year in stretches-- where he just called a good game, you know, like he's a great catcher. He called a terrific game tonight."
The game was also a breakthrough for KG, who had scored just 43 points in the first four games of the season;
"At this point my defense is definitely ahead of my offense," Garnett, who scored 12 points in each half on a combined shooting of 9-17, said post game. "(Rivers) wants me to be a lot more offensive."
Ray Allen (13) was the third player in double figures for Boston, who shot 50 percent from the floor.
The loss kept winless streak (0-4) alive for the Wizards, who got 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds from John Wall, 16 points and 14 rebounds from JaVale McGee and 18 points from Nick Young.
With the scores at 11-9 midway through the first quarter, Boston reeled off a 13-2 run to take a 24-11 lead and after the Wizards closed the deficit at 32-25 in the second, the Greens again raced away to a 12-2 run and ended the first half with a 51-34 lead.
Boston maintained their hold through most part of the third frame, but with 4:09 to go, Nick Young and Jordan Crawford combined for seven point unanswered run to make it 58-65. The Celtics however responded swiftly with an 8-2 run, which capped the third quarter at 73-60.
The Wizards came within seven early in the fourth but that was the closest they got and the C’s raced off.
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