Celtics, 111-82 (final)
The script was easy to write.
The Sonics had lost the previous five games of their road trip. They played a game last night in Indiana and got into Boston late last night. They’d won six games on the road all season.
The Celtics, meanwhile, came into tonight’s contest having just won their 50th game of the season. They had won nine in a row. They had yesterday off.
You can guess what happened.
The Celtics methodically and predictably disposed of a weary Seattle team tonight, 111-82, earning their 10th straight win in the process. At times, it seemed like the home crowd was rooting for the Sonics to score.
Paul Pierce got it going early for Boston, scoring all 14 of his points in the first quarter. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen chipped in with 18 points apiece as the Celtics built a 10-point lead after one, a 20-point lead at the half, and a 32-point lead after the third quarter.
Another Gino appearance was the only reason any fans hung around for the end of this one.
With the result of this one never in doubt, Celtics coach Doc Rivers had a chance to rest his starters. Pierce (27 minutes), Allen (25 minutes), Garnett (24 minutes), Rajon Rondo (16 minutes), and Kendrick Perkins (23 minutes) all played sparingly.
Rookie Kevin Durant logged the most minutes for Seattle, scoring 16 points in 33 minutes on the floor. Seattle shot 38 percent for the game.
The Celtics are back home Friday night against Utah. They embark on a very difficult five-game road trip Saturday night in Milwaukee. The Celtics will see the Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, and Hornets before returning home on Monday, March 24.
We’ll have plenty of postgame reaction from players and coaches in a bit.
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