The Boston Celtics missed the playoffs at the end of the 2014 NBA season, and with rumors swirling around their All-Star point guard about trades, it seemed as though the Celtics would come out stumbling.
However, that was not the case as the Celtics took the court Wednesday evening, eyes set on a new goal and a new season. With captain Rajon Rondo back to start the opening game, Boston was feeling pretty good. Old friend Kevin Garnett was welcomed back with open arms (as always), and gave the crowd a chest thump before tip-off. It turned out to be a big 121-105 victory for the Celtics.
Boston started out with a comfortable stroke from the three-point line with Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk taking multiple shots from behind the arc. It is easier to see the improvements with this Celtics team, as they are much more aggressive defensively and seem to have players on their team who are eager to showcase their abilities on a nightly basis.
It was 32-23 after the first quarter, and the Nets tried clawing back into the game, but Boston would not allow it. The Celtics crushed the Nets in the second quarter, outscoring them 35-18. Captain Rajon Rondo led the way for his young club and finished the game with a near triple-double: 13 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson contributed with 19 points each for the game, but it was not nearly enough for this eager Celtics defense.
Rookie Marcus Smart made his much anticipated Celtics debut and he did nothing but impress. Smart had 10 points, but more importantly he finished with four steals on the night. Smart was a defensive prowler and demonstrated that he should not be taken lightly as a player even though he has a rookie status.
Brooklyn came out of halftime looking the better team and went on a 7-0 run before Boston pulled it back together. The third quarter was much closer and ended with the Celtics only outscoring Brooklyn by three points, 34-31. Jeff Green had a quiet 17 points and six rebounds, but that is the type of production Boston needs from Green on a nightly basis, if not a little more. Avery Bradley, who recently signed a 3-year, $32 million dollar contract was in foul trouble all night with 5, but managed 15 points for the Celtics.
The fourth quarter saw the Celtics put away this game for good and although they were outscored by Brooklyn 33-20, the final score was 121-105 in favor of the Boston Celtics. The Nets seemed to be flat throughout the game, while Boston looked very good defensively and seemed to work as a unit. There was plenty of passing going on in this game and it helped the Celtics work like a well oiled machine. When Rajon Rondo was in the game, everything seemed to be working as smoothly as it could. Things got a little rocky when the captain would sub out to rest, but it is something Boston can work on.
Overall, it was a great performance by Boston and a lackluster one by the Nets. The energy just was not there for Brooklyn tonight and if they want to be taken seriously, they need to use the next few games to pick themselves up. On the Celtics end of things, this game serves as a building block for a young team who's confidence was surely surged up afterward. It is entirely possible if Boston keeps playing like this and believing in Brad Stevens, that they can make some noise in the east and sneak into the playoffs.