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Rondo powers Celtics into East final versus Heat
Source: Agencies |
May 28, 2012, Monday
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POINT guard Rajon Rondo stepped up to save the day in the final minutes as the Celtics held off the Philadelphia 76ers 85-75 in their decisive Game 7 in Boston on Saturday and advanced to the National Basketball Association's Eastern Conference final against the Miami Heat.
Rondo had a triple double of 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to set up the showdown with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade's red-hot Heat starting in Miami tomorrow.
Eleven of Rondo's points, including a critical three-point shot, came after Celtics captain Paul Pierce fouled out with over five minutes to play and the game in the balance.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Rondo displayed leadership, and shot-making, in the final minutes that is not always evident. "Rondo wants to run the team, and he's a great quarterback. But tonight, obviously with Paul fouling out, he had to take charge of the team."
Center Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, and forward Brandon Bass added 16.
Andre Iguodala top-scored for Philadelphia with 18 points while Elton Brand and Jrue Holiday each had 15 points.
But the Sixers shot only 35 percent from the field and made only 14 of 20 free throws in the team's first Game 7 since 2001. "They hit us in the mouth early. We fought back, but we could never get over the top," said Sixers coach Doug Collins.
The series win means that Boston's "Big Three" veteran starters, Garnett, Pierce, and guard Ray Allen, will play together for at least one more series. Allen will turn 37 soon, while Garnett is 36 and Pierce is 34. Garnett and Allen will be free agents in the offseason, and many assume this will be their last season for Boston and possibly in the league.
Rondo had a triple double of 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to set up the showdown with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade's red-hot Heat starting in Miami tomorrow.
Eleven of Rondo's points, including a critical three-point shot, came after Celtics captain Paul Pierce fouled out with over five minutes to play and the game in the balance.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Rondo displayed leadership, and shot-making, in the final minutes that is not always evident. "Rondo wants to run the team, and he's a great quarterback. But tonight, obviously with Paul fouling out, he had to take charge of the team."
Center Kevin Garnett had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Boston, and forward Brandon Bass added 16.
Andre Iguodala top-scored for Philadelphia with 18 points while Elton Brand and Jrue Holiday each had 15 points.
But the Sixers shot only 35 percent from the field and made only 14 of 20 free throws in the team's first Game 7 since 2001. "They hit us in the mouth early. We fought back, but we could never get over the top," said Sixers coach Doug Collins.
The series win means that Boston's "Big Three" veteran starters, Garnett, Pierce, and guard Ray Allen, will play together for at least one more series. Allen will turn 37 soon, while Garnett is 36 and Pierce is 34. Garnett and Allen will be free agents in the offseason, and many assume this will be their last season for Boston and possibly in the league.
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