Rondo leads Celtics past Cavaliers, ties series
Win or lose last night one thing became very clear for the Boston Celtics, this is Rajon Rondo’s team.
What was once Paul Pierce’s team and what not too long ago was the big three’s team (Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen) now has its new leader and best player in the form of Rondo.
And the sooner the old rear guard realises who the leader of the team is the easier it will be for the Celtics to beat the Cavaliers.
Beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-87 on Sunday night, Rondo produced once of the best post-season performances ever at the Boston Garden recording his fourth play-off career triple double, scoring 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.
Though he might not be recognised as a superstar yet, it’s another superstar who is recognising 24-year-olds talent.
"I think it starts with Rondo. He's kind of the engine that really gets them going, he does everything for them. His performance was unbelievable.
"Rondo was definitely the difference maker,” Cleveland’s Lebron James said.
The 18 rebounds were a career high in the play-offs and he became only the third player in play-off history to have at least 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists. The other two? Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain, not exactly bad company.
Rondo joins some more elite company after recording the fourth most triple-doubles in his first 50 career post-season games. He trails Magic Johnson (13), Robertson (8) and Jason Kidd (6), not a bad club to be part of.
Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett did chip in with 18 points each, and Tony Allen recorded a career high 15 points in 26 minutes as Boston ensured they go back to Cleveland with the series tied at two.
It was Boston’s aggressiveness and willingness to attack the basket which won them the game, just two days after they suffered their worst ever home play-off defeat.
"The most aggressive team is going to win,” Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown said.
"There is no explanation for it," he added. "We talk about it, we preach it, our guys even talk about it and preach it. Now we've just got to go out and do it. We can't afford to play a half on the road against a team like this."
The series now goes back to Cleveland and if Rondo can continue to excel and play at a superstar level, not even Lebron will be able to stop him.
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