Rapid-Rajon Leads Celtics To Ninth Straight Win, Beat Wizards 104-102!

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap

Rajon Rondo 12.10b

When you think of the “Elite Point Guards” that play in the NBA in 2009 there are certain names that are always mentioned. By far the best player over the last few seasons at the point has been CP-3 New Orleans Hornets All-Star Chris Paul. Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz is also a player that is prominently mentioned and a young man who has come up on the radar over the last year Chicago Bulls point and last season’s NBA Rookie Of The Year Derrick Rose.

One player who may not get the respect the previously mentioned group get is Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. However fear not for his head coach Doc Rivers and his teammates on the Celtics realize how truly valuable the “X-Factor” is for the club.

Yes it is the “New Big Three” who got the credit for Boston winning the NBA Title in 2008 but do not discount the role Rondo played on that team. The 23 year old former Kentucky player always had a penchant for getting the ball in the right players hands at the right moment. That is a skill that can not be taught you have to be born with that ability.

Thursday night Rondo led his team with a double-double and more importantly would score the winning hoop as the Boston Celtics slipped by the Washington Wizards by a 104-102 margin. With 1:08 left in the game and the contest knotted up at 98-98 Rajon slammed the rock through the hole with authority and gave the Celtics a lead they would never surrender for the balance of the game. The victory was the ninth straight for the Celtics and puts them at 18-4 for the campaign. Gilbert Arenas would lead all players in scoring as the Wizards guard knocked down 25 points in his team’s third straight loss.

Both teams played well in the first as the Wizards would end up on top but by a razor thin margin of 28-27. The Celtics exploded offensively in the second while Washington’s basket appeared to have a lid on it. Boston would walk into the locker room at the half leading 64-50.

In the third quarter it would be the Celtics who were offensively challenged as it seemed as if they left their game in the locker room when they came back on the court. The Wizards were able to cut the Boston lead to single digits as the game entered the fourth with the score 83-74. Washington kept threatening in the final 12 minutes of play but the Celtics were able to stay ahead until with 2:33 left in the game Andray Blatche knocked down his second consecutive bucket to tie the game up at 94-94. The clubs would trade hoops until Rondo broke the tie for good with 1:08 to play.

Rajon Rondo recorded a double-double with 21 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 block in the Celtics victory. Ray Allen scored 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists while Kevin Garnett added 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Kendrick Perkins had a double-double with 16 points, 11 boards and 2 blocks while Paul Pierce put up 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Gilbert Arenas was the game’s leading scorer as he knocked down 25 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds. Brendan Haywood scored 17 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal while Andray Blatche came off the bench with 17 points, 5 steals, 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Antawn Jamison contributed 16 points, 8 rebounds and 1 steal while Caron Butler added 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block. Boston with the victory is now 18-4 and will play Saturday in Chicago as they take on the Bulls while Washington’s record falls to 7-13 and will play host to the Indiana Pacers Saturday.

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One Response to “Rapid-Rajon Leads Celtics To Ninth Straight Win, Beat Wizards 104-102!”

Today’s Celtics Links 12/11 « Flceltsfan’s Weblog on December 11th, 2009 11:06 am

[...] Less From The Corner Lion Face/Lemon Face 12.11.09: Three Games of Goodness Slam Dunk Central Rapid-Rajon Leads Celtics To Ninth Straight Win, Beat Wizards 104-102! Deseret News Utah Jazz: TNT’s Sager likes to add color to broadcasts WEEI Ray Allen [...]

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