Doc Gives “The Guys” The Night Off; No Problem Celtics Slam Bobcats 101-78

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers decided that Saturday night he was going to give the game off to starters, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce. With the regular season winding down, he wanted to get his “Elite Three” well rested, and his reserves battle tested. He put together a lineup with three reserves, he inserted Leon Powe instead of KG, James Posey in place of Pierce, and subbed Tony Allen for Ray. The result? Mission accomplished as the “Blue Collar Three” came through and carried Boston over the Charlotte Bobcats handily 101-78. With the win, Boston now has? clinched the number one seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. They also broke the tie with the San Antonio Spurs team of 1997-1998 and now stand alone as holders of the greatest season to season turn around in the history of the Association. Boston also avenged a loss to Charlotte at home earlier this season.

This game was essentially over after the first quarter as the Green Team broke out to a 37-25 lead at the end of the first period, and never looked back. Charlotte never really got within hailing distance, after that as the Celtics went into locker room at the half ahead 64-50. The Bobcats were able to cut the lead by one point at the end of the third quarter, as Boston’s lead was 82-69. And then for the second time in the last 24 hours a NBA Team scored 9 points in the fourth quarter!? Friday night it was the San Antonio Spurs of all teams, Saturday night it was Charlotte, game over.

Leon the powerful, scored a game high 22 points, 9 boards, 2 steals, 1 assist, in the?Boston victory.? James?Posey scored 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block,?Eddie House provided bench strength with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal. Tony Allen scored 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal.

Emeka Okafor was the high scorer for the Bobcats, with 17 points, 8 boards, 1 block.? “Mini-Might” Earl Boykins came off the bench and scored 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, Raymond Felton recorded a double-double, as he scored 11 points, dished off a game high 10 assists, 4 rebounds. Boston now has a record of 61-15, Charlotte is 29-48.

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