The Boston Celtics dismantled the New Jersey Nets for the second time in less than a week on Wednesday, continuing their perfect start and cementing their place among the NBA's elite.The story in this one?
The Nets failed to capitalize on what looks to be a rarity between now and the summer—an off-night for the Big Three.
Kevin Garnett led the way with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Paul Pierce added 15 points and Allen contributed 14.
If the Nets can't win when the C's stars are so quiet, they could be in for a long season—with or without Vince Carter.
To their credit, the C's mounted a balanced offensive attack. Six players finished in double figures—including Tony Allen, who Boston fans hoping can be a spark off the bench.
Eddie House can't and won't light the fire every night, after all, and Brian Scalabrine is more adept at putting away quarter-pounders than open jumpers.
If nothing else, the latest win should silence critics who've refused to believe their own eyes—and who've insisted the Celtics can't be judged until they play Western Conference competition.
The truth?
The Celtics might really just be that good.
Consider their resume:
The C's have beaten the Nets twice—both on the tail end of back-to-backs. They've gone on the road to beat a decent Indy team and the defending Atlantic Division Champs in Toronto.
They destroyed Washington (a playoff team a year ago) on opening night. They beat up the Hawks a week a later. And the one Western Conference foe Boston has faced—the Nuggets—got run out of the building by halftime.
What more do you want?
For good measure, the Celtics lead the league in defensive field goal percentage, points allowed, and margin of victory. And they've done it with a schedule full of playoff teams from a year ago.
It's time for fans around the NBA to embrace the obvious. These Celtics haven't merely jumped to the top of the Eastern Conference—they've jumped to the top of the entire league.
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