Season high in team assists propels Celtics convincingly over Nets, 107-94

Carrying over the winning attitude, against losing teams, has really helped the Celtics regain a record above .500 with a 107-94 win over the New Jersey Nets.  Boston had a season high of 35 assists as they rolled over New Jersey easily led by the Rondo, Garnett and Pierce.  It appears as though the trade rumors have fueled the fire in the Celtics belly as they continue to play the style of basketball we have grown use to prior to this season.

In the first, the Celtics were very aggressive in transition allowing them to jump out to an early double-digit lead.  Rajon Rondo has gone back to wearing a headband causing a mystery on twitter as to why.  Hopefully we get an answer after the game.  New Jersey was able to hang around late in the first by getting to the free throw line (they had only one first quarter foul).

Doc called for a full court zone press in the second quarter, which led to Boston running the lead to 20 points with an 18-1 run for the Celtics.  New Jersey had a hard time trying to break the press.  This is shocking considering they are supposed to have an elite point guard in Deron Williams.  Avery Johnson had to resort to a dual point guard line up to help break the pressure.  Even more impressive is that Boston has only had two turnovers in the first half.  They couldn’t have played better basketball in this game so far.

The third quarter was a boring quarter as both teams traded baskets.  The Celtics played more like the Celtics early in the season with a few turnovers and sloppy play.  With a large lead, it didn’t matter much.  The Nets played tough, led by ex-Celtic Gerald Green who put on a dunking showcase for the fans.  New Jersey was able to cut the lead to 16 points after an 18-8 run to end the quarter by the Nets.

The large lead allowed Boston to play their bench most of the fourth quarter.  Avery Bradley got big time minutes and experience playing against Deron Williams until Avery Johnson decided the game was out of reach.  The bench did not let the lead slip as they won this game easily.  Outside of a rolled ankle by Avery Bradley, this game couldn’t have turned out better for the Boston Celtics as they are now 3-0 after the all star break as they make their playoff push.