Celtics Engine Running On All Cylinders Exterminate Hornets 112-92

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

Paul Pierce scored a game high 27 points, Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double, and the Boston Celtics shot a scorching 59.5% (44-74) from the floor for the game, as they easily defeated the New Orleans Hornets 112-92 Friday night at the “New Garden.” The victory avenges?an earlier loss to the Hornets on March 22, in the Big Easy when the Green Team fell 113-106 to New Orleans.

The Celtics truly played with a machine like efficiency, winning every quarter but one. Boston went on to at the end of the first quarter by an impressive 30-24 margin. New Orleans turned it around in the second quarter, and the teams went to their respective locker rooms at the half with the?Hornets leading 60-56. When the two teams returned to the court for the second half, New Orleans left their game in the locker room. Boston took the lead at 68-66 with 6:54 left in the quarter on a Kendrick Perkins? bucket. They never trailed again in the game. The Celtics led 88-75 at the end of the third. The Hornets never got within single digits of Boston in the final quarter.

Paul Pierce scored 27 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, in the Boston victory. Kevin Garnett scored 21 points, grabbed 13 boards, 4 assists, 1 block, Rajon Rondo scored 17 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block. Ray Allen scored 12 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, Leon Powe came off the pine and scored 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block.

Chris Paul led the Hornets with a double-double, 22 points, 10 assists, 3 steals, 1 rebound. Peja Stojakovic scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, David West scored 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block. Bonzi Wells?scored 13 points as he came off the bench, 7? rebounds, 1 assist, Tyson Chandler scored 11 points, 8 boards, 1 block. Boston is now sitting at 57-15?, New Orleans is 49-22.

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