BOSTON (AP) The Celtics preserve rolling not having Rajon Rondo.
Not perhaps a new past due comeback through one of many NBA's greatest groups could possibly hold Boston out of defeating that Los Angeles Clippers 106-104 on Sunday in addition to improve for you to 4-0 considering that a knee injuries concluded their movie star position guard's season.
''A many people say that individuals do not have a chance to check out the playoffs, we're not able to accomplish this, we're not able to complete that,'' commencing protect said. ''We recognize you'll find one another and we have been planning to fall out there and combat for each other, regardless of what, each and every night.''
The Clippers enjoyed devoid of their own amazing level guard. Chris Paul skipped their seventh right video game together with a bruised suitable knee cap.
But that they cut a new 98-83 debt to be able to 103-101 using a 3-pointer by Jamal Crawford with 26 just a few seconds that will go.
Paul Pierce then placed through to your golf ball - as well as seemed to be stunned that the Clippers didn't break down him - ahead of creating a 3-pointer along with 2.5 minutes left that will clinch the actual win and conclude having a team-high 22 points.
''If many of us get a stop right now there (with) a few or maybe some just a few seconds for you to go, we've got a lot of time,'' Clippers trainer Vinny Del Negro mentioned of his / her selection not to foul. ''If I had been going to perform it, I can have fouled Courtney Lee early right any time he / she bought your ball.''
But he or she failed to need to foul Pierce, an accurate shooter down this stretch whether or not through the discipline or the cost-free throw line.
''Any time period your game's within the line, whether your dog have missed 15 inside a row, we know a final one's good,'' Celtics defend Jason Terry said.
The clubs gamed minus the issue guards voted starters in the All-Star adventure within Houston on Feb. 17. Rondo features a split anterior cruciate ligament around his / her proper knee. With Paul sidelined, the Clippers have shed five with eleven games, as well as his or her greatest setback plus lowest scoring activity with the season, 98-73 at Toronto on Friday night.
''We're slightly out involving rhythm,'' Los Angeles forwards Matt Barnes said. ''Guys tend to be merely playing slightly outside position, although that is definitely no excuse.''
The Celtics also are missing rookie send Jared Sullinger once he or she have season-ending to come back medical procedures Friday.
But that they transferred within just 1 1-2 mmorpgs with the Milwaukee Bucks regarding seventh place within the East and a few 1-2 ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers for any final playoff position in the conference.
Jeff Green in addition to Leandro Barbosa scored 14 points each for that Celtics as well as led a 52-point contribution in the bench. The Clippers were brought about by way of Bledsoe, updating Paul, along with Crawford, who seem to produced a 3-pointer for the buzzer, with 23 points each. Blake Griffin had 20 points as well as 11 rebounds.
Without Rondo, the particular Celtics were being invited by means of coach Doc Rivers to look at the particular amenable taken or perhaps move the actual ball rapidly if they will not include it. That prevents opponent defenses from dual teaming the shot handler.
''We whip a new bejesus of your company and I'm extremely proud of that,'' Rivers said, ''but with my thoughts we can possibly be better, a lot better, in comparison with i was today.''
The first half ended up being one of many best in the time for that Celtics, and these people advancing into the locker room which has a 59-40 lead.
''We're actively playing beneficial in spurts proper now,'' Pierce said. ''We became stagnant at times. We did not defend with a high grade from the second half. . A win's a win, nonetheless most people managed to get extra challenging when compared with we thought them needs to have been.''
Trailing 98-83, the particular Clippers commenced a 15-3 manage having Griffin's free with 9:39 to be able to play. Crawford's layup built that 101-98 having 3:18 remaining.
Terry then put Boston in place by means of personal trainer any time this individual conquer that 24-second buzzer that has a jumper along with 1:09 left previous to Bledsoe manufactured his or her 3-pointer.
Then Bradley took the particular charge.
''Jamal's an excellent player,'' he said. ''I simply tried out to allow it to be as challenging that they can on him.''
And Pierce strike his big 3-pointer.
''They were this aggressors and that's genital herpes virus treatments do to be able to teams when we finally are generally by far the most successful,'' Crawford said. ''They did which tonight.''
The Celtics hooked their particular time of year highs of 33 points immediately after one quarter and also 59 after two. And that they does it with well-balanced offense, as 10 players scored among three as well as nine points.
They possessed age 14 assists on their 20 baskets and also simply all 5 turnovers inside the half. On defense, they will used that Clippers to be able to 10 things on 4-for-18 shooting within the second one fourth and also forced 15 turnovers inside half.
The Clippers did not rating within the second one fourth right up until Lamar Odom built a good 11-foot turnaround 4:11 on the period, slicing Boston's produce 39-32. Bledsoe produced their subsequent area objective greater than two minutes later.
Notes: Backup Celtics C Jason Collins, participating in extra owing to Sullinger's absence, acquired a season-high eight points. . Barnes arrived to the Clippers right after a one-game suspension pertaining to striking Minnesota's Greg Stiemsma with Wednesday. . The Clippers sent the Celtics 106-77 on Dec. 27 in Los Angeles.
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