Celtics, 112-84 (final)
How does 16-2 sound?
The Celtics made the NBA’s best record one-game better with a blowout win over the Toronto Raptors tonight. Boston has yet to lose in 10 home games.
The Celtics used the same formula they’ve used all season: Shoot well, and make the other team shoot poorly. Boston shot 53 percent for the game while holding the Raptors to 43 percent.
Boston had an 11-point lead after one quarter, a 22-point lead at the half, and a 36-point lead after the third. Fans stuck around in the fourth only to cheer on the bench and to chant “Scal-a-bri-ne.”
Paul Pierce did the damage when it was a game, scoring 13 points in the first half. Kevin Garnett put the game out of reach with 12 points in the third.
Tony Allen, Eddie House, Brian Scalabrine, Glen Davis, and James Posey put in some quality minutes in the fourth quarter. The Celtics bench outplayed a tired Toronto bench who clearly wanted to get the game over with as fast as possible.
After struggling mightily early in the season, Allen put in a solid game with nine points, three rebounds, and five assists. Doc Rivers said before the game that Allen simply needs to play better because Pierce and Ray Allen have been playing too many minutes. Allen took a step in the right direction tonight.
The Celtics now have a seven-game lead over the Raptors in the Atlantic Division. They play at Chicago tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m.
Speaking of cult hero, you should see the treatment the Celtics are giving to Gino on the Jumbotron now. Anyone who has attended a Celtics win this season knows what I’m talking about.
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