Preseason? That game last night hardly felt like a preseason game. Madison Square Garden was near capacity as the fans witnessed Kevin Garnett get sent to the showers rather early. Amare Stoudemire took advantage of KG's absence (along with the other bigs that didn't play or fouled out) but it was Paul Pierce who had the last word, or shot rather, to put the Celtics ahead with 8 ticks left. Rajon Rondo iced the win with a huge block on New York Knicks rookie Andy Rautins. Oh yeah, Tommy Heinsohn nearly got ejected himself for calling the NBA "stupid."
Q1: The first quarter begins with a beautiful live shot from MSG at night on the outside, then with Paul Pierce taking jumpers as he warms up on the inside of the Garden. Other highlights include:
- KG raining outside jumpers
- Rondo drawing an offensive foul on Raymond Felton
- Rondo with a nice steal leading to a Ray Allen transition lay-up (excellent sealing off of Amare by KG)
- Solid defensive set on Amare
- KG finding Jermaine O'Neal for a short-jumper
- JO challenging everyone who dares enter the paint
- KG and Rondo working a text book give-and-go
- A Rondo swipe from behind eventually leading to a trailing Paul Pierce transition three
- Stephane Lasme finding a cutting Semih Erden for the left-handed jam
- KG discussing his training last year, describing how it was like running up "sand hills"
- Marquis Daniels knocking down a mid-range shot
- Lasme taking a charge on Ronny Turiaf
- A beautiful 24 seconds of solid defense by the second unit (and Ray Allen) to end the quarter
Q2: The second quarter begins with a Nate Robinson driving to the hoop for a floater, followed by some nice hustle on the offensive boards by Semih Erden keeping the possession alive. Other highlights include:
- Avery Bradley recovering a near lost possession, then knocking down a mid-range jumper
- More very impressive defense by the second unit
- More Bradley defense
- Good one-on-one post defense by Lasme on Anthony Randolph
- Offensive boards by Lasme then Erden, who completes a put back lay-in for an "and 1"
- A beautiful Ray Allen three off a screen by JO
- KG getting ejected, followed by Tommy's "the NBA is stupid" tirade
- A JO two-handed slam
- Pierce driving for an and 1
- Lasme working for an offensive board, leading to Rondo dishing it back to him for a reverse lay-in
- Celtic legend Dave Cowens telling us if he could play in today's NBA with the new technical foul rules
Q3: The second half begins with Mike and Tommy further discussing KG's early ejection. There is a wider angle to show more of what KG exactly did to get tossed. Other highlights include:
- Luke Harangody doin work
- A sweet Ray Allen jumper
- Rondo's relentless attacks to the basket
- Excellent defense by Marquis
- Several steals by Rondo
Q4: The final and dramatic quarter begins with a nasty Rondo cross-over on Toney Douglas, mimicking a search-and-destroy attack at the hoop. Other highlights include:
- Pierce attacking the hoop
- More Marquis defense
- Ray Allen fighting for an offensive board, then draining a baseline jumper
- Ray Allen working Anthony Randolph for a drive, then kneeing Ronny Turiaf in the stones
- A beautiful Ray Allen three
- Harangody working the offensive glass
- Nate with a slick up-and-under lay-up
- Pierce with another drive, and 1
- Captain Clutch strikes again, with the clutch jumper over Randolph
- Rondo's huge block on Andy Rautins to seal the game
- Marquis smartly fouling, not allowing NY to shoot a potential game tying three
