The Boston Celtics executed the fast break perfectly in the second half and ran away with a 95-89 victory. The game played at the TD Bank Garden, however, followed an all too familiar pattern for the Celtics during their home games.

What is the pattern? I’m glad you asked…

Turnovers!

• Boston had 14 turnovers (5 for Pierce), which doesn’t seem like too high a number on the surface, but many of them were unforced and gave the Clippers an easy transition

Poor Rebounding

• Out-rebounded 48-43 total, 11-5 on offensive rebounds

Rely too heavily on Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Garnett

• Pierce, Rondo, and KG combined for 55 of the 99 Celtics points

No bench production

• Our bench was outscored 31-16 by the Clipper bench, led by Ricky Davis (12 pts) and Craig Smith (13 pts).

Slumping Ray Allen

• Ray Allen- 5/14 FG, 2/7 3P-FG

Despite a common pattern of poor home play, the Celtics were able to win because the defense was much improved with Garnett back in the lineup and Rondo did an abnormally good job guarding Baron Davis, who usually plays well against him because of a significant size advantage.

• Davis had 16 points but on 5/13 FG’s, while the Clippers shot 38.8% as a team.

Player of the Game:

• Rajon Rondo- 16 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 steals

Play of the Game:

• Rondo stole the ball from Baron Davis, who was posting up, pushed the ball up the court and flipped the ball up in the air behind his back to a trailing Paul Pierce who slammed the ball with two hands.

Blast from the Past:

• Ricky Davis- 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Unsung Heroes:

• Kendrick Perkins- 9 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Marcus Camby- 3 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block