The Streak is Over… Celtics win 117-97

The streak is over… Celtics finally got the gorilla off their backs and ended their 18 game losing streak, beating the Bucks convincingly 117-97. They started off slow, falling behind by as many as 15 points in the first period. Then Gerald Green came in and starting hitting shots and got the Celtics back into it and they never looked back.

Green game in and shot 8-9 from the field and 5-5 from beyond the arc and finished with 21 points and 1 assist. Pierce scored 32 points on 12-19 shooting to go with 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Wally returned to action tonight and scored 14 points on 6-12 shooting to go with 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. And best of all, didn’t end up on the floor writhing in pain.

West started at the point and seemed a bit sluggish to start the game. But when he came back in the second half, he played with more energy, chasing down loose balls and playing with his usual hustle. He finished with 6 points on 3-8 shooting along with 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots. Rondo came off the bench and it was when he came in that the pace of the game picked up and the Celtics started playing with energy. He finished with 9 points, 2 rebounds, 11 assists, and 2 steals. I don’t remember when our Point guard last led the team in assists, but it is a nice feeling.

Scal started at PF and hustled as usual, but he just isn’t a starting quality power forward. You have to get more than 1 rebound from your starting PF. He hit a couple of big 3 pointers but again, that isn’t what you need from your power forward. Perk came in and played some very good defense on Bogut, helping to hold him to 9 points. Perk finished with 1 point, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block in 19 minutes. Al had another double double finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block.

Gomes had a couple of key rebounds and put backs and finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal. Powe and Telfair came in for the final minute of the game and as usual, Powe made the most of his minute, coming up with a block.

We were out rebounded by the Bucks 43-29 and ordinarily that would have meant a loss, but the difference was that the Celtics took care of the ball and only turned the ball over 9 times to 17 turnovers for the Bucks. It was a solid win and the team played very well after a sluggish first quarter. It feels good to finally get that win and end the streak especially with the West coast trip looming in the future. Green’s play has to give him a boost going into the Slam Dunk contest. All is well tonight in Celtics Land.

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