C's Get Back on Track with Blowout

11/22/2007

The Celtics got back on the winning track against an uptempo team that sluggishly played like it already ate its Thanksgiving dinner.

The Celtics defeated Golden State, 105-82, last night at TD Banknorth Garden.

Celtics guard Ray Allen scored a team-high 21 points, forward Paul Pierce had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and forward Kevin Garnett added a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. It was the first win for the Celtics (9-1) since ending an 8-0 start with a loss at Orlando last Sunday.

Ex-Celtic Don Nelson brought playoff basketball back to the Bay Area last season for the first time since 1994 by using an unorthodox style of small ball with a guard-heavy, quick-shooting, 3-point-hoisting crew. Golden State entered the game averaging 108.8 points, second in the NBA, while the Celtics were at 102.7. On the flip side, Boston was second in points allowed per game at 89.4, and Golden State was last at 110.7.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said small ball has been catching fire throughout the NBA.

"There are several [teams] now," Rivers said. "Phoenix would probably be right there, too. Golden State. Toronto. You'd have to throw Orlando in there the way they're playing as well. Atlanta is another team like that. I think the trend now is almost going that way. Dallas was going that way and they decided to go the other way now.

"They basically stayed big. If you don't have the great bigs and you do have the great guards, then it's a smart move."

The Warriors' wild offensive style was hurting without center/forward Al Harrington and forward Matt Barnes, both out because of personal reasons. Starting in place of the versatile 6-foot-9-inch, 250-pound Harrington was 6-6, 215-pounder Mickael Pietrus.

Although small ball might be hot in the NBA, the Celtics' defense made it look like a bad gimmick.

After both teams started slowly, the Celtics eventually heated up to take a 25-16 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Warriors shot only 28 percent (7 of 25), missed all six 3-point attempts, and set a season low in scoring for a quarter. The Celtics, however, missed all four 3-point attempts and had seven turnovers in the first quarter.

The Celtics took a 42-23 lead after Brian Scalabrine nailed a 3-pointer with 5:33 left in the second quarter to complete an 8-0 run. Boston went into the half with a 50-37 lead after shooting 37 percent (9 of 20) in the second.

Golden State's 37 halftime points marked a season low. In an ugly first half, about the most entertaining thing was Red Sox star David Ortiz getting loud applause after being shown on the big screen.

A Kendrick Perkins reverse fast-break dunk gave Boston a 62-45 lead with 7:43 left in the third quarter. The Warriors used an 11-4 run to get within 66-56 after a Monta Ellis jumper with 4:49 remaining in the third quarter. Boston recovered with a 15-8 run during the rest of the third, including three 3-pointers, to take an 81-64 lead by quarter's end.

The Celtics opened up the fourth with a 10-6 run to take a 91-70 lead after a surprising dunk at the 9:36 mark by Tony Allen, who had left knee surgery last season and is wearing a big brace.