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Celtics guard Ray Allen - Source: Reuters -
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The Boston Celtics rebounded in the fourth quarter to beat the
New Jersey Nets 96-87 on Saturdayand hand the NBA's worst team
their 13th consecutive road loss.
The Nets held a one-point advantage going into the fourth quarter
but the Celtics' Eddie House scored all 10 of his points in the
final session as Boston ran out winners.
"That's our mentality. Feed the pig, whoever has it going," Rajon
Rondo, who had 17 points and 11 assists, told reporters.
Coach Doc Rivers had put House, Glen Davis and Rasheed Wallace on
the floor with Rondo and high scorer Ray Allen to ignite the
Celtics. And it worked.
The unit went on a 14-4 run and had the game under control before
starters Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins and Tony Allen
returned.
House had Boston's first five points of the quarter to put the
hosts up by two and they never trailed again. The reserve guard
made it 84-77 with his second three-pointer and 10th point in six
minutes.
Ray Allen scored a team-high 26 points as the Celtics recorded
their third win in a row.
"We thought that we could just outscore them," Celtics coach Rivers
said. "I didn't say much at halftime. I basically said, 'I don't
think I need to talk. We're a defensive team and tonight we want to
outscore them.' And I said, 'Good luck.'"
Still, the Boston defense remained lacklustre until the fourth,
according to Rasheed Wallace.
"We didn't pick it up probably until about the six or seven mark in
the fourth," he said.
New Jersey's fifth consecutive loss meant they dropped to 4-45 for
the season.
Brian Lopez had 19 points and Devin Harris 17 for the visitors, who
could wind up with the NBA's worst record in a season. Philadelphia
holds the record at 9-73 for the 1972-73 season.
"I expect a lot more out of myself," Lopez said. "It's tough going
against them because they're so physical and talented."
