Celtics win their final regular-season game with weird stat lines


It all starts with Celtics Center Aron Baynes. Where did this come from? Baynes-ey provided veteran leadership and astounding production in Boston's 110-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets last night.

He poured in 26 points and hauled down 14 rebounds in only 20 minutes of play. No NBA player has had 25+ points and 14+ rebounds in 20 minutes or less in more than half-a-century. Aron shot 52% from the floor and did miss his only three-pointer. Hey, no one said he was perfect.

Shane Larkin came through once again, something fans have come to expect from the team's energy guy. He flirted with a triple-double with 12 points, 10 boards and seven assists. Guerschon Yabusele is finding his way, and last night he had 16 points on 6/10 from the field, 1-of-2 from beyond the arc and a perfect 3-of-3 from the charity stripe. Yabu also added five rebounds, two steals and a block.

Jonathan Gibson contributed to the win with 18 points on 8/13 shooting, including 2-of-5 on threes. Not bad for a new guy filling out the roster during the injury epidemic. Greg Monroe came close to a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, adding four assists and two blocks. The Boston subs certainly came through in the game, and it bodes well for the upcoming first round against the Milwaukee Bucks.

This contest was a weird one is several ways. Boston is known for its stellar defense, but the team's offense was on display in this one. How about 102 field goal attempts by the Celtics. They haven't put up that many shots in over two years.

Baynes-ey puts "all of Australia" on display. Shane comes close to a triple-double. Yabu puts up a solid stat line, and the Celtics as a team launch more shots that they have in two-plus years. The win was important heading into the playoffs, and the young group knew it - and they responded. The playoffs start Sunday against the Bucks, and it looks like Brad Stevens has his troops well-prepared. Doesn't he always!





Follow Tom at @TomLaneHC

Photo via Charles Krupa/AP Photo
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