FINAL: Celtics 93, Blazers 78
11 in a row for the Celtics (FINAL: Celtics 93, Blazers 78)
This game was supposed to be closer, but the Celtics will probably take it.
Boston systematically dismantled the visiting Portland Trailblazers tonight, pulling away for good in the third quarter and holding on for a 93-78 victory at TD Banknorth Garden. With their 11th straight win, the Celtics improve to 19-2 on the season.
Ray Allen (19 points) led six Celtics players in double-figures, while Kendrick Perkins had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Portland’s six-game winning streak is snapped with the loss.
Starters still in (2:56 fourth quarter, Celtics 86-74)
The quality of basketball has deteriorated here as the game has come to almost a halt, but the Blazers have cut the lead a bit, meaning the starters will stay out there a little bit longer for the Celtics to make sure nothing crazy happens.
A little Phil (6:04 fourth quarter, Celtics 80-67)
The Celtics unveiled a new “In the Air Tonight” montage on the Jumbotron during the last timeout. Kevin Garnett, who has admitted his affinity for the song, was bobbing his head to the beat.
Love me, or T-me (8:19 fourth quarter, Celtics 78-61)
We’ve reached the point in the game where the fans are more interested in catching a free T-shirt than watching the final 8:19 of play.
THIRD QUARTER
No longer a game (END third quarter, Celtics 74-51)
Rajon Rondo just threw one in from halfcourt to emphasize what we already knew: The Celtics have made a promising matchup into a laugher. They’re holding Portland to 37 percent shooting, and the Blazers scored just 15 points in the third quarter.
Ray Allen is leading the Celtics with 19 points. Rondo has 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Stupid play (4:41 third quarter, Celtics 63-41)
Greg Oden just picked up his fifth personal foul reaching in on Rajon Rondo 90 feet from the Celtics basket. It’s a boneheaded play for a big man, and not a shocking play for a rookie. Oden went to the bench with chants of, “O-den, O-den” from the Boston crowd.
Strategy play (9:33 third quarter, Celtics 56-36)
Greg Oden just picked up his fourth personal foul trying to stop Paul Pierce steamrolling to the hoop. It’s no secret the Celtics are taking it right at Oden this game.
Off and running (10:25 third quarter, Celtics 54-36)
Little 6-0 run for the Celtics to open up their largest lead of the game.
SECOND QUARTER
Celtics figuring it out (END second quarter, Celtics 49-36)
And just like that, they’re at it again. The Celtics went on a 21-8 run during the last 7:53 of the second quarter to take a double-digit lead into the break. Ray Allen is pacing Boston with 11 points.
Kendrick Perkins got to the line six times and had eight rebounds in the first half. On Perkins, a fan next to me turned to his buddy and said, “He’s getting more KG in him.” He could be right.
Weird (4:40 second quarter, Celtics 35-34)
Both teams are 14 of 27, which works out to 51.9 percent shooting.
Do it, Pruitt (7:53 second quarter, Celtics 30-28)
Gabe Pruitt has checked in for meaningful minutes. He’s playing alongside Eddie House.
Solid contribution (7:53 second quarter, Celtics 30-28)
Joel Pryzbilla has 4 points and 5 rebounds off the Portland bench. More importantly, he’s playing big and giving Boston’s big men some trouble.
Still back and forth (8:50 second quarter, Celtics 28-26)
Leon Powe is 2-for-2 off the Celtics bench, but a three-point play by Travis Outlaw has Portland hanging around.
FIRST QUARTER
Allen continues to lead (END first quarter, Celtics 24-21)
Ray Allen really is a different player this season. He’s got 10 points after one quarter here, and unlike last season when you expected a lot of his shots to rim out, you’re shocked if he misses one this year.
Interesting game shaping up here. It seems like both teams are trying to feel each other out. Doc Rivers has only used his bench for four combined minutes. Portland’s bench, meanwhile, has played 14 minutes.
Powe back to the bench (2:40 first quarter, Blazers 17-14)
Leon Powe was away from the Celtics bench for a while, presumably in the locker room, with strength coach Bryan Doo. Powe just returned to the bench.
T for Oden (5:42 first quarter, Blazers 14-11)
Greg Oden was a little too flashy after his last dunk, earning a technical foul.
Battle of the bigs (7:07 first quarter, Blazers 10-7)
Greg Oden and Kendrick Perkins are really going at each other early. Oden took it to Perkins on Portland’s first offensive play of the game, throwing in a baby hook. Since then, the two big men have just been beating each other up. Each has drawn a foul on the other, and each has two rebounds.
None of it has been easy.
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