Jan

11

Back On The Winning Track; Boston Tops Toronto 94-88

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

The Boston Celtics will not get any style points for their 94-88 victory over the Raptors in Toronto Sunday afternoon. This is not a  game that will end up as an “Instant Classic“ and incessantly be shown on cable TV. But that was okay with the “Green Team”  as they were desperate for a victory, and even more so for a win on the road. Ray Allen with a game high 36 points, and Rajon Rondo bot recording double-doubles were able to put a halt to Boston’s road woes at least for a day, in the first game of a home annd home series, that will resume Monday night in Boston.

The Boston Celtic’s road malaise, which in turn also caused them to lose a game at the “New Garden” to the Houston Rockets last week have been well documented on these pages starting with the Christmas Day loss to the Lakers. From this veteran NBA observer’s perspective, it appeared that the Celtics started pressing too much on the floor, which caused them to make mistakes, and fall behind, which in turn caused them to press even harder. It is a vicious circle, and until you start playing within yourself, doing things naturally and  letting the game come to you, you just dig the hole you are now trapped in get deeper and deeper. Now granted, this is just one game, and against a sub .500 team in the Toronto Raptors, but Golden State, the Knicks, and the Charlotte Bobcats were also under .500, and Boston lost those games. You have to crawl before you can walk, and you can not start a winning streak until you get that first win. We shall see  which team comes out ahead in their second contest Monday, and whether Boston will be able to string together 2 straight wins.

The Celtics came out strong in  the first 12 minutes opening a 32-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Boston kept the pressure going in the second walking into the locker room at the half on top 54-41. The Celtics for all intent and purposes ended the game at the end of third as they led by 20 points, 75-55. Toronto was able to get the final score a lot more respectable by the end of a full quarter of garbage time during the fourth.

Ray Allen would lead all players with 36 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, in the Celtics victory. Rajon Rondo recorded a double-double, 14 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds,  Paul Pierce scored 11 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Kevin Garnett also was credited with a double-double, 10 points, 11 boards, and 2 assists.

Andrea Bargnani led the way for the Raptors with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. Chris Bosh recorded a double-double, 15 points, 11 boards, 3 blocks, 1 assist, and 1 steal, Jamario Moon also contributed 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Joey Graham came off the bench with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal, while Jason Kapono also added 12 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. Boston now 30-9 will host the 16-22 Raptors Monday.

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