Where Ray Allen Defines Clutch (NBA Playoffs)
April 21st, 2009 at 9:54 amBy Chris
Now that’s how you bounce back from a horrid Game 1, shooting-wise (1-12): You bury the your opponent in Game 2 with a 3-point bomb to tie the series 1-1. Allen finished with 30 points, and while his game-winning heroics are getting the pub, it was Rajon Rondo’s gaudy triple-double (19 points, 16 assists, 12 rebounds [7 offensive] and 5 steals) that put the Celtics in a position to win in the first place. Rondo was aggressive throughout the contest, keeping the Bulls defense on its heels and putting his fellow combatant, Derrick Rose, in early foul trouble. While some folks think the Celtics are done — I can see making that guess considering just how well Chicago’s been able to defend Boston — it might be a little early to give their Larry O’Brien trophy away just yet.
In fact, neither team has done much in the way of defense and I’m not expecting that to change during the next five games. Ben Gordon’s 42 point outburst for the Bulls — along with Allen’s 30 and Rondo’s all-over-the-place triple-dip — does a good job of demonstrating just how little defense either team is playing.
