Rajon Rondo had a season-high 23 points and 12 assists, and the Boston Celtics scored 60 points in the paint in blasting the host Cleveland Cavaliers, 106-87, on Tuesday.
Rondo destroyed the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season and was at it again Tuesday, scoring 13 straight Boston points in the first half. He added five rebounds while working his way back from foot and hamstring injuries.
Glen Davis scored 17 points and rellow reserve Marquis Daniels added 16 for the Celtics, who had six players in double figures.
Boston took control with a 35-point second quarter before coasting to victory in the second half. In the process, the Celtics avenged a 95-86 loss to the Cavaliers on Cleveland’s opening night earlier this season.
It was the second consecutive dominant post performance by the Celtics, who scored 64 points in the paint in Friday’s easy win over Toronto.
Anderson Varejao had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Daniel Gibson scored 16 points for the Cavs, who stumbled in their final warmup before LeBron James returns to Cleveland with the Miami Heat on Thursday.
Boston | Cleveland | |
Rajon Rondo 23 | Scoring | Daniel Gibson 16 |
Rajon Rondo 12 | Assists | Ramon Sessions 4 |
Glen Davis 11 | Rebounds | Anderson Varejao 12 |
Kevin Garnett 3 | Free Throws Made | Anthony Parker 6 |
Marquis Daniels 2 | Steals | Jamario Moon 3 |
Paul Pierce 3 | Blocks | Ryan Hollins 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Boston | 106 | 50.6 | 5-13 | 13-23 | 29 | 49 | 8 | 7 | 13 |
Cleveland | 87 | 39.0 | 5-15 | 18-24 | 19 | 45 | 6 | 10 | 14 |