Big Ticket Has Big Game Celtics Ground Rockets 97-93

Kevin Garnett scored a game high 26 points as the Boston Celtics treated fans at the “New Garden” to a victory in their first game of 2008 defeating the Houston Rockets Wednesday night 97-93. The win was the seventh in a row for Boston who have not lost since suffering their first home defeat to the Detroit Pistons by a score of 87-85 on December 19. Boston shot 53.2% from the floor for the game but hit only 25% of their shots from outside the arc, going 4-16 from three point range. Boston built up a big lead in the first quarter, and allowed to Houston to chip away from it the rest of the night. The problem for the Rockets though was they had gotten into deep a hole to blast out of.

Boston led by 14 points at the end of the first quarter 30-16, it was the only quarter they would win all game, Houston was able to shave off 3 points in the second quarter as the Celtics led at the half 53-42. Boston still lead at the end of the third quarter 76-68, but Houston made a run in the final quarter to take the lead as they went on a 11-0 run to finally take the lead back at 81-78. Houston had the lead again at 84-81, but Garnett hit a “J” and then Paul Pierce stole the loose ball and hit Ray Allen with a pass as he was breaking to the basket for 2 more points. Rockets center Yao Ming missed a shot and Garnett came up with the rebound, the “Big Ticket” hit another “J” at the buzzer to give Boston an 87-84 lead. Shane Battier hit a trey to tie the game at 87-87, but Rajon Rondo put the Green Team ahead for good driving the lane to make it 89-87 Boston.

Garnett shot 11-15 from the field, 4-6 at the line for his 26 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 assists, 2 steals. Pierce scored 19 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, Rondo scored 13 points, a game high 9 assists, 5 rebounds. Allen also scored 13 points, 3 steals, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and Scott Pollard scored 10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal before fouling out.

Houston was led by Bonzi Wells who came off the bench scoring a team high 25 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, 1 assist. Yao had a double-double 19 points, 13 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, Rafer Alston scored 18 points, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 rebound, Luther Head scored 10 points, 3 assists, in the loss. Boston is now at 27-3, while Houston after the loss is now 15-17.