Celtics, 103-83 (Final)
Everything’s different.
Start with the score, a double-digit win from a Celtics team that struggled to win 24 games last season, second-worst in the NBA.
No one expects that from the Celtics this year, especially if Game 1 is any indication.
After an emotional ceremony for Red Auerbach and a pyrotechnics display, both teams started off slowly (the Celtics and Wizards shot 39 and 38 percent respectively in the first quarter). But the Celtics picked it up in the second thanks to Paul Pierce and the second unit. Pierce finished the game with a team-high 28 points.
Rajon Rondo had a solid game for the Celtics with 15 points, 4 steals, and 2 assists. Most importantly, he stuck several jumpers when the defense left him to double down on one of the Big Three.
The Big Three did its job. Garnett had 22 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, including one on Gilbert Arenas that brought the crowd to its feet. Allen had 17 points and 4 rebounds.
Kendrick Perkins had five points but was responsible for just about every pick that got one of the Big Three open.
After guaranteeing a win and calling the Celtics overrated, Arenas was the target of constant abuse from Celtics fans and finished with 21 points on 5 of 20 shooting.
That’s the substance. But there’s an attitude difference at the Garden now as well. Celtics fans didn’t see many wins last season, but there weren’t too many fans surprised to see the Celtics running up the score on Washington. Expectations now are obviously for more than one regular-season win against the Wizards.
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