A PLAGUE of team injuries didn't stop the Boston Celtics from winning their series opener against the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday night at the TD Garden in Boston.
Among the hurting Celtics include Paul Pierce (left MCL sprain), Ray Allen (bone spurs in the right ankle), Avery Bradley (sore left rotator cuff) and Micael Pietrus (swelling on the right knee).
Fortunately for the Celtics, 3-time All-Star Rajon Rondo was healthy and he starred in Boston's Game 1 triumph. In that 92-91 thriller, Rondo collared his eighth career playoffs triple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 17 assists.
Another healthy Celtic was perennial All-Star Kevin Garnett, who chalked 29 points and 11 rebounds.
Alongside the 7-foot Garnett, the 6-foot-1, 186-pound Rondo will again be at the forefront of Boston's homecourt defense against the No.8 seeded Sixers who reached Round 2 of the playoffs by eliminating the No.1 ranked Chicago Bulls in six games.
Besides finding a way to contain both Rondo and Garnett, Philadelphia's to-do list versus the No.4 seeded Celtics include doing a better job of holding on to a lead and finishing strong.
"We played well but they're a weathered team, they're a championship team," said Sixers forward Elton Brand. "Most of those guys have been on a championship team so they know how to execute, they know how to finish at the game, which we've done better at, but that's what we hahve to do against this Boston team." (Ryan Medida)
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Ryan Medida.