I waited all night for the Boston Celtics to dispose of  the Miami Heat.  I forgot: nothing has come easy for this Boston Celtics team. After getting knocked down by Kobe and his game-winner on Sunday, Boston still appeared to be regaining its balance tonight, but managed to win their second straight game, 107-102.

Boston looked great in the first quarter, scoring 26 of their 27 points in the paint, while Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett set a tone of unselfishness. After Rondo’s comments about selfishness in the locker room, he made a major statement of leadership tonight with 14 assists, while captain Kevin Garnett solidified the message with 9 assists of his own.

Despite the many flaws of the game, including poor defense (Miami shot 57% through 3Q, 52% for the game), Boston prevailed with a much-needed win. Ray Allen shot poorly from 3′s again (1-5), but had a solid all-around game with 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Eddie House was hot off the bench, sinking two 3′s on his way to 16 points. Glen Davis also provided good energy off the bench, contributing 6 points and 5 rebounds.

For Miami, and Dwyane Wade the story was all too familar. Wade was spectacular, slicing the Celtics perimeter-defense for 30 points and 13 assists, but he received little help from his teammates. Jermaine O’Neal (10 points), Michael Beasley (13), Rafer Alston (15), Quinton Richardson (12) and Udonis Haslem (15) all reached double-figures, but their production slowed in the all-important fourth-quarter.

Offensively and defensively, Boston looked crisp and focused in the fourth-quarter. Rondo continued his aggression and, with Garnett improving his stamina game-by-game, Boston executed offensively like they haven’t in a while. The execution was exemplified by a perfectly-designed play with 2:45 remaining. Garnett set a  pin-down screen on the baseline for House, who had already canned a huge 3-pointer, and then sealed his defender in the post. House bounced a pass into Garnett, while Boston’s other players simultaneously cleared the side for him. Garnett connected on his patented turnaround shot, giving the Celtics a 5-point cushion, and igniting the TD Bank Crowd.

Player of the Game:

• Rajon Rondo- 22 points, 14 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals

Play of the Game:

• 4th Quarter, 35.6 seconds left- With Celtics leading 97-94, Tony Allen steals the ball from Dwyane Wade, who was trying to drive past help-defender, Kendrick Perkins, on the pick-and-roll. Tony Allen was almost immediately fouled  fouled, and made the  two free throws to put Boston ahead 99-94.

Stat of the Night:

• 26 of Celtics 27 1st-quarter points in the paint.
  

Skeleton in the Closet:

• Turnovers- 17

With the Boston Celtics ahead 66-51 in the third quarter, I texted my brother,” All we needed was KG. We’re back.”

“I know. They’re back,” Jay responded.

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The General and his sharpshooter.

Pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop; either way, Jason Kidd was the Mavericks general and Dirk Nowitzki was the assassin.

Kidd and Dirk did their best Stockton and Malone impression tonight, leading the Mavericks to a 99-90 win over our C’s at the TD Bank Garden. Led by Paul Pierce’s 11 first quarter points, Boston jumped out to an early lead, but Nowitzki found the flow in the second half and Jason Kidd knew where to find him.

Dirk scored 13 points in the third quarter on his way to 37 points for the game, on 14-22 shooting. Kidd, the ultimate point guard, took only 7 shots, but took control of the game in the second half, on his way to 17 assists, to go along with 13 points. Oft-criticized (rightfully, I might add) Mavs center Erik Dampier also provided a third quarter spark with 11 points.

Boston lead 50-41 at halftime behind strong play from Pierce, who finished with 24 points, Kendrick Perkins (14 points, 12 rebounds), and Ray Allen (21 pts). Rajon Rondo added 12 assists, but he didn’t provide Boston with his much-needed aggression, taking only 8 shots for 7 points.

The Celtics came out flat in the second half, uncharacteristically allowing open shot after open shot. The Mavericks shot a ridiculous 57.4% for the game, while clamping down defensively on Pierce and Allen in the second half.

Boston was outscored 34-18 in a schizophrenic third quarter and never challenged Dallas after relinquishing the lead.

With seven home losses already this season, Boston has more home losses than they did all last season.

The Atlanta Hawks, led by Jamal Crawford and his  14 fourth quarter points, held off a late rally by the Boston Celtics to win 93-85.

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