Celtics Swat Down Hornets 97-87; Start Out Season 4-0

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

The Boston Celtics withstood an early fourth quarter challenge Sunday evening by the New Orleans Hornets and held on for a 97-87 victory at the “New Garden.” Boston shot a torrid 53.9% (41-76) as they have started out the young season with a 4-0 record. Paul Pierce led five Celtics players in double figures while Peja Stojakovic came off the bench for the “New Look” Hornets.

Even without the services of Glen Davis who is out of commission for 8 weeks after surgery to repair his broken left thumb this team so far looks deeper than the Boston team that won the NBA Title in 2008. Point guard Rajon Rondo has learned on nights where his own shot is not dropping his job is to dish off. Rondo did exactly that; augmenting his own 6 points with 10 assists. Rasheed Wallace gives the Celtics a high quality big man off the pine ably assisted by Shelden Williams. Marquis Daniels gives them that extra presence in the back-court the team lost when “Super-Sub“ James Posey signed with the Hornets before last season.

New Orleans made some changes during the off-season as well; gone are Tyson Chandler and Rasual Butler. Emeka Okafor is now manning the middle with Mo Peterson stating again at the shooting guard position. The Hornets have Julian Wright now as their starting small forward while having Peja come off the bench. They still have the best point guard in the Association in Chris Paul who had words with Rondo during a slight tussle in the first half. All-Star David West is still manning the power forward spot.

Bothe teams stayed with each other during the first quarter as Boston held a razor thin 22-20 lead as the period came to a close. New Orleans lost their offensive flow in the second quarter and the Celtics walked into the locker room at the half leading 47-40.

The Hornets recovered their shooting touch in the third and were able to cut the Boston lead to 4 points as they trailed 72-68 heading into the final 12 minutes of play. Peja Stojakovic drained a trey with 10:17 left in the fourth to knot up the game at 74-74. However Marquis Daniels split a pair at the line and then Wallace knocked down a 27 foot trey to put the Celtics back on top 78-74 and the Hornets never got close enough to threaten the rest of the game.

Paul Pierce lead all player with 27 points points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the Celtics victory. Ray Allen scored 17 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 steal while KG added 14 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block. Kendrick Perkins contributed 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists while Rasheed Wallace came off the bench with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Peja Stojakovic led the way for the Hornets with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. Chris Paul scored 22 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals while David West added 10 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds and 1 block. Boston starts out the season with a 4-0 record they will next play Tuesday night in Philadelphia against the Sixers. New Orleans now has a 1-2 mark in the young campaign and will play Monday night in New York as they face off against the Knicks.

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