Halzack's Monday NBA Round Up
Monday Monday
was double-double day for Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins of the Boston Celtics, and Paul Millsap of the Jazz had a career day with 32 points and 10 rebounds.
But it was Rajon Rondo, coming close to a triple-double, who took over in the 4th quarter, outdueling with Deron Williams for control of the game.
Repaying the Jazz for their biggest loss of the regular season last year, the Boston Celtics downed the Utah Jazz by a score of 100-91. It was Boston's 15th straight win, improving the Celtic franchise record for fastest start to 23-2. The NBA's best start with two losses is 26-2.
This 2008-09 Celtic team’s intended march towards a second straight title also has this storied franchise’s all time best 18-game winning streak under assault.
Just like last year, no one saw it coming.
Rajon Rondo continues to elevate his play and status in the league. Rajon flirted with a triple-double while outplaying league stud Deron Williams who, albeit, is still not 100% from a sprained ankle.
The starters produced 86 of 100 points, as their second unit was missing Eddie House who was attending a funeral. Little used second-year man, Gabe Pruitt, scored eight points in nine minutes and played very good defense against Williams.
Rajon scored a season-high 25 points, to go with nine rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and six turnovers. Kevin Garnett added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Kendrick Perkins contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds. Pierce added 15 points and Ray Allen 12.
Tied 43 all at halftime, Boston scored seven straight points, then managed to stay in front of a tenacious Utah team for the rest of the night. Even without Carlos Boozer, the Jazz played a competitive game. Deron Williams had nine of his 15 points in a Jazz comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.
Boozer’s replacement, Paul Millsap, slipped open all night to score a career-high 32 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds with 2 blocks, and 2 steals.
While questions about Boston’s bench filled the air (and still do), the continued emergence of point guard Rajon Rondo, and center Kendrick Perkins are providing a type of relief for Boston’s three stars that few expected.
Running the offense is now in the hands of Rondo. Scoring is up and no longer lodged completely on the shoulders of the Boston Big Three for every game.
Rondo’s more aggressive assault on the rim often makes it even easier for Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett to score. Rondo’s recent increased scoring comes from blowing by his defender, thus requiring the post defender’s attention.
Defenses can no longer ignore Rondo and Perkins, and collapse on the Big Three. Rondo’s assists are up. The Big Three’s are down. They are receiving the passes more from Rondo, instead of delivering them.
Since the New York game on Nov. 18, Rondo is averaging 12.9 points and 7.9 assists, while taking more foul shots and making a higher percentage of them. That is 2.5 points and almost three assists more than last year.
So, rock steady defense is now buoyed by a stronger offense, as the Celtics are averaging 105.7 in this winning streak versus just 93.5 points per game before the streak. Their defense is still an excellent 91.4 points allowed, versus 89 points before the streak started.
If you suggested a second year letdown for a fat and happy Celtic team, please line up right behind those who chose cassettes over CDs, Betamax over VHS, Atari over Apple, Commodore Computers over IBM, and Kmart over WalMart.
Just when you thought this team couldn’t possibly get any better…they did.
Questions about the Big Three’s minutes over the course of a season are a legitimate concern.
The bench could use length and recent rumors have 42 year old, 7’2" Dikembe Mutombo considering playing for Boston. PJ Brown is still a remote possibility as well.
New Jersey (11-10) 94, Toronto (10-14) 87
The Lawrence Frank-ly surprising Nets broke a three-game losing streak by pounding the floundering Raptors on the boards 54-38. Suddenly high scoring Devin Harris makes a solid one-two punch with Vince Carter. Rookie Net Brook Lopez continues to improve, while veteran Raptor Jermaine O’Neal continues to disappoint.
Indiana (8-16) 118, Washington (4-18) 98
Old habits die hard as the defense-allergic Wizards let the Pacers go off for 118. Danny Granger had five steals, the same amount Washington had total. The only thing the Wizards are stealing is money from the owner.
At least it is entertaining watching Larry Brown shuffle around a zillion lineup changes, and alternately like and dislike the same players depending on the day. Brown said they just "can’t get the ball in the basket." Even less, now that you traded your only true scorer Jason Richardson. Newcomer Boris Diaw scored 25 points.
Atlanta struggled at home beating this crew? What does that say about Atlanta? And the Celtics are up next.
As Dwyane Wade goes, so goes Miami. Wade scored just 15 points. Michael Redd thinks it was his defense. The Heat lost to Memphis the game before. These are two teams stuck in the middle, perhaps the worse place to be.
What a difference Billups has made for Denver. I read Karl is looking for another big. Too bad they didn’t still have Camby. What a difference Kidd hasn’t made for Dallas. Are we done with the Gerald Green thing yet? With all of Dirk’s size and talent, why hasn’t anyone asked him to learn a few go-to solid post moves?
Truthfully, both teams are moving in the right direction. Billups makes Denver dangerous.
Terry Porter bests Mike D’Antoni. But it seems like Porter’s changes are not pleasing his players. Stoudemire and Shaq both want to be the man. Go figure. Nash misses the system that made him an MVP. Surprise. You have to use a different measure when evaluating players from systems like D’Antoni’s or Don Nelson’s.
Phoenix is about where I thought they would be. New York is ahead of my expectations right now.
Sacramento (7-18) 118, Minnesota (4-20) 103
What? I watched the beginning of this game. Minny was up 15-3 and Sac couldn’t put it in the ocean. Looks like Minny has the bigger problems. Two bad teams with new coaches. Promising young bigs in Jefferson, Love, Hawes and Thompson. Point guards needed.
Orlando (19-6) 109, Golden State (7-18) 98
Magic are without Dwight Howard and still win and score 109 points. Jameer Nelson lights it up for 32. Marco Belinelli is showcased for trade and goes for 19 points off the bench. Do you think Chris Mullin regrets pursuing Nelson for that multi-year coaching contract now?
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