North Station Sports

I can finally say that I walked away from the Celtics 113-110 victory Friday night without a lingering feeling of disgust. Sure, the Sixers are not a team that should be able to have a chance for winning in the closing moments. However, in the context of Boston’s recent struggles, I can say that I saw quite a few positives come out of this tight contest.

The Celtics came out strong in the start of the first and third quarters but, still unable to put together the dominant runs this team is noted for, they allowed the 76ers to crawl back into the game and pull together a lead both times. Trailing by one point at the half, Paul Pierce again rallied his ship mates,

“He’s been the MVP, to me,’’ coach Doc Rivers said. “Not only just with his play but all over. He was on guys in the second quarter and then halftime, about our play. There’s the defensive urgency, getting out on the shots. Stop making excuses. He’s doing everything you ask him to do. He’s guarding guys, he’s rebounding, he’s making big shots, he’s taking charges. I mean, I don’t know what else. He can cook Thanksgiving dinner for someone and then he’ll be doing it all. He’s been terrific.’’

Pierce scored 27 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, dished 6 assists and rounded his evening out with 1 block and 1 steal. Gone are the days when Pierce would isolate and force shots in an attempt to stabilize games. Pierce’s domination is now something that occurs within the evolution of game play. The skipper has not disappointed yet this season. He has solidified his role as “Mr. Fourth Quarter”, again answering his teammates call, down the stretch, to secure the W. The burden of the offense usually falls on Mr. Pierce or Jesus Shuttlesworth to nail the clutch game winner. Last night, that responsibility fell upon the broad shoulders of Rajon Rondo.

They got Rondo-ized!

The Celtics again closed out the third quarter with a sub-par performance as the Sixers took a 79-85 lead into the final stanza. As the fourth quarter started and the Celtics went with a quick line-up, Rajon Rondo seemed to relish in the opportunity to play with a smaller unit. A line-up of House, Rondo, Daniels, Pierce and Wallace, was placed by Doc Rivers to combat the speedy, athletic unit of Philadelphia. Eddie House got into the action, finally hitting a three pointer in the opening minutes of the fourth. Next up? Rasheed Wallace. Moments after the house erupted with an Eddie three pointer, Sheed lined up the long bomb and you could hear the sellout crowd gasp and collectively exhale when it ripped through the net. Rasheed finally hit one!

Rondo started his engine and blew by defenders off the dribble. As usual, he set up teammates for easy shots. This time Rondo, looking more scoring minded than usual, tallied 8 of his 10 points in the final quarter. The speedy guard started with his lightning fast dribble penetrations and defensive stanced stare-downs. It seemed that everyone in the arena could sense a Rondo takeover, leading Celtics broadcaster, Tommy Heinsohn to declare,

“Are they gonna’ be Rondo-ized in this quarter?”

–Tommy-Quote of the night

As Rondo continued to electrify Tommy and the audience, the game’s dynamic swung the Celtics way. The Sixers began to crumble under the pressure of the Celtics (finally) re-emerging championship act. Rondo confirmed the take-over with his signature ball fake layup, a play that no matter how many times we see it, we still marvel at it. Despite missed layups and turnovers, the Sixers kept it close. Pulling within two points off (two) Iguodala free throws, it looked like another tense ending was in store. Iguodala, an under rated player and one that I always enjoy to watch, nearly notched a triple double with 25 points, 9 boards and 9 assist but it wasn’t enough to keep him from getting “Rondo-ized”.

One game after Kevin Garnett dropped the game winner against New York, similar circumstances ensued last night as the C’s found themselves too close for comfort against a mediocre opponent. As the game came to a close roles reversed for Boston. Paul Pierce took on the role of defensive stopper and Rajon Rondo crushed the Sixers with a clutch 15 foot fadeaway jumper as the shot clock expired. Rondo, again proved that when he is playing well and attacking– the Celtics win. When asked what can be taken away from Rondo’s late game heroics, Rasheed Wallace replied,

“Confidence! It was a big shot. Even though that wasn’t the drawn up play, still to have the confidence in your teammates knowing that they could hit a shot. That’s something that you need down the stretch.’’

Paul Pierce added,

“He’s confident to take that [shot] in that stretch. It was the biggest shot of the night because if he doesn’t make that, we are looking at the possibility of Philly coming down and tying it or winning the game. Usually shots like that give a player confidence. I remember my first game-winning shot I made . . . it just gave me a lot of confidence. So hopefully it will do the same for Rondo.’’

Another game that should have been a blow out victory but was won in the last minute of the game. I can honestly say that the Sixers hit shots. They were on fire. I felt we combated that well with good execution in stretches and a welcomed return to the passion and intensity fans are accustomed to and have been lacking. I am finally looking towards our next game with confidence. The Raptors are coming to town on Friday and I feel momentum is building and the C’s confidence is returning. We may be surviving our first rough stretch of the season and coming out of it 11-4– Can’t complain about that.

(Quotes provided by boston.com)

HackingEthics

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