Recap: Boston Celtics 89 – 83 vs. New Jersey Nets; Shaquille O’Neal owns the court
A total of 18,624 fans witnessed the (narrow) victory of Boston Celtics over the Nets (89 – 83), at TD Garden. The Big Three for Boston (O’Neal, Pierce, and Allen) played the fourth quarter of the game incredibly and dragged back
Boston from a 10-point deficit.
Players that owned the court
Shaquille O'Neal played the best game of his career for Boston, posting a season-high 25 points and 11 rebounds. It is the most points O'Neal has scored since March 18, 2009. Paul Pierce scored 18 points, and Ray Allen had 15 points
and seven assists for the defending Boston (Eastern Conference champions).
Nets’ Devin Harris did all he could, totalling 20 points. Anthony Morrow scored 18 points, Brook Lopez had 16, and Humphries had 11 rebounds for the Nets.
During the initial phase of the game, the tempo of both teams was almost the same. However, Boston headed the first quarter with a single point lead: 18 – 17. O'Neal scored 8 points in the first quarter.
New Jersey took charge in the second quarter and extended a 12-0 run over a 6:51 span covering the opening quarters. Nets led the first half of the game by 8 points (46 – 38).
The Celtics increased their defensive intensity during the third quarter of the game. The Celtics cut the deficit to 2 (63 – 61) as Marquis Daniels dunked off Paul Pierce’s feed with two seconds to go.
Boston was right back into the game during the final session. However, the Celtics made things difficult in the final minute, drawing a foul and sinking three foul shots with 32 seconds to go.
Paul Pierce took command in the game's closing moments, had three clutch mid-range jumpers and an assist on Ray Allen's 3-pointer. With the great efforts of Pierce, the game was out of the reach of the Nets (89 – 83).
Turning Point of the Game
Nets were leading the game by the end of third quarter; Pierce then changed the whole scenario of the game with 03:26 remaining. He took part in Celtics' 9-1 run and an assist on Ray Allen's 3-pointer.
Poor Performance
Celtics centre Semih Erden had the worst game of his basketball career, missing four shots in just two minutes of action. Special thanks to Celtic’s coach Doc Rivers, who mercifully pulled him from the game early in the second
quarter.
Injured Players
Boston point-guard Rajon Rondo was in street clothes (out with hamstring injury). Back up Delonte West broke his right wrist and left the game at the 2:46 mark in the second quarter.
New Jersey's Terrence Williams missed his second consecutive game for repeatedly violating the team rules.
Quotable
"I know people appreciate my hard work.
"This is a great team. Best team I have been on. We have a lot, many weapons. Anybody on this team can be the leading scorer. The shots are there, but they drop off. They could have easily have shot," said O'Neal.
Up Next
Boston Celtics now sit at 11-4 and are ready to play their next match against Toronto Raptors on Friday, November 26, 2010 at TD Garden, Boston. Raptors have an equal ratio of performance with 5 wins and 5 losses. Boston is in
a good position after this victory, to head the visiting team.
With new hope and spirit, Nets will take on Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.
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