This is the third column of a new weekly series, where we discuss the performances of all five Atlantic Division teams.
After already discussing the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets, we now shift our attention to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are sitting at 11-21, which has placed them third in the Atlantic Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference. Boston is now fully committed to rebuilding, as they have finally let go of veteran Rajon Rondo after years of rumours and speculations. The Celtics are now looking forward with the core of Smart, Bradley and Sullinger to lead them into the future.
Note: Games recapped were played between 29/12 - 5/1
Wednesday, 31st December, 2014 - Sacramento Kings @ Boston Celtics
Kings 84 Celtics 106
After already discussing the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets, we now shift our attention to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are sitting at 11-21, which has placed them third in the Atlantic Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference. Boston is now fully committed to rebuilding, as they have finally let go of veteran Rajon Rondo after years of rumours and speculations. The Celtics are now looking forward with the core of Smart, Bradley and Sullinger to lead them into the future.
Note: Games recapped were played between 29/12 - 5/1
Wednesday, 31st December, 2014 - Sacramento Kings @ Boston Celtics
Kings 84 Celtics 106
The Celtics started off the week in a positive note, comfortably accounting for the Sacramento Kings 106-84. The Celtics lead for the entire game, extending their lead at each break. The huge win was due to the unselfishness of the players and their ability to keep ahold of the ball. As a team, the Celtics dished out 32 assists (compared to Sacramento's 12) and they only turned the ball over 11 times. They also defended well as a whole, keeping Sacramento's star players (Gay and Cousins) to 9 and 11 points. Both players combined for 9-36 from the floor.
Jared Sullinger led the team in scoring with 20 points on 50% shooting, he also grabbed a team high 11 rebounds (3 offensive). Evan Turner dished out 11 assists in what was a team high for the Boston Celtics.
Key Performers:
Jared Sullinger: 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 50% FG
Evan Turner: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 40% FG
Kelly Olynyk: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 60% FG
Friday, 2nd January, 2015 - Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics
Mavericks 119 Celtics 101
Jared Sullinger led the team in scoring with 20 points on 50% shooting, he also grabbed a team high 11 rebounds (3 offensive). Evan Turner dished out 11 assists in what was a team high for the Boston Celtics.
Key Performers:
Jared Sullinger: 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 50% FG
Evan Turner: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 40% FG
Kelly Olynyk: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 60% FG
Friday, 2nd January, 2015 - Dallas Mavericks @ Boston Celtics
Mavericks 119 Celtics 101
In what was Rajon Rondo's maiden homecoming, the Celtics lost a big one at home, 119-101. The Celtics never looked in it at all due to poor performances in the first and third quarters (where they were outscored 64-35 for both quarters). Brad Stevens used 12 players throughout the game for the second game running, it seems as if Stevens has not yet found his rotation. Rajon Rondo comprehensively outplayed the Celtics, dropping a season high 29 points (15 in the first quarter) and a career high, five 3 point field goals made.
Avery Bradley scored 22 points, while shooting 45% from the floor, Tyler Zeller grabbed 10 boards (2 offensive) and rookie, Marcus Smart dished out 8 assists in which was a promising game for the future star of the Celtics.
Key Performers:
Avery Bradley: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 45% FG
Tyler Zeller: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 78% FG
Jeff Green: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 47% FG
Sunday, 4th January, 2015 - Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
Celtics 104 Bulls 109
Avery Bradley scored 22 points, while shooting 45% from the floor, Tyler Zeller grabbed 10 boards (2 offensive) and rookie, Marcus Smart dished out 8 assists in which was a promising game for the future star of the Celtics.
Key Performers:
Avery Bradley: 22 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 45% FG
Tyler Zeller: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 78% FG
Jeff Green: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 47% FG
Sunday, 4th January, 2015 - Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
Celtics 104 Bulls 109
The Celtics lost a close one against fellow Eastern Conference foes, the Chicago Bulls. They shot a promising 45% from the floor and were able to keep their opponents to 37% shooting. After a promising first quarter, Boston lost their touch in the second, being outscored 29-17. A 29-23 third quarter kept them in touch, but it wasn't enough in the end. Jared Sullinger and gang could not stop Pau Gasol who scored 29 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked 5 shots.
Evan Turner played arguably his best game of the season, scoring 29 points on 55% shooting. Jared Sullinger grabbed 16 rebounds (with 8 offensive - huge numbers) and Evan Turner also led the team in assists, with 6.
Key Performers:
Evan Turner: 29 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 55% FG
Jared Sullinger: 16 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 47% FG
Avery Bradley: 17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 53% FG
Division recap:
The Atlantic Division is arguably one of the weaker divisions in the NBA. Consisting of poorly performing teams (intentional or otherwise) the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Toronto Raptors had a tough week, losing all three of their games (although all were against strong Western Conference teams).
TORONTO: W0 - L3
TOR @ POR TOR @ GSW TOR @ PHX
97 102 105 126 109 125
The Brooklyn Nets played in five games this past week, winning three out of five.
BROOKLYN: W3 -L2
SAC @ BKN BKN @ CHI BKN @ ORL BKN @ MIA DAL @ BKN
99 107 96 82 100 98 84 88 96 88
The New York Knicks had another poor week, losing all four of their games.
NYK @ LAC DET @ NYK MIL @ NYK NYK @ MEM
78 99 97 81 95 82 83 105
The 76ers won only one out of four games this week.
PHI @ GSW PHI @ PHX PHI @ LAC CLE @ PHI
86 126 96 112 91 127 92 95
Stay tuned for next week, where we discuss how the New York Knicks performed throughout the week.
Evan Turner played arguably his best game of the season, scoring 29 points on 55% shooting. Jared Sullinger grabbed 16 rebounds (with 8 offensive - huge numbers) and Evan Turner also led the team in assists, with 6.
Key Performers:
Evan Turner: 29 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 55% FG
Jared Sullinger: 16 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 47% FG
Avery Bradley: 17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 53% FG
Division recap:
The Atlantic Division is arguably one of the weaker divisions in the NBA. Consisting of poorly performing teams (intentional or otherwise) the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Toronto Raptors had a tough week, losing all three of their games (although all were against strong Western Conference teams).
TORONTO: W0 - L3
TOR @ POR TOR @ GSW TOR @ PHX
97 102 105 126 109 125
The Brooklyn Nets played in five games this past week, winning three out of five.
BROOKLYN: W3 -L2
SAC @ BKN BKN @ CHI BKN @ ORL BKN @ MIA DAL @ BKN
99 107 96 82 100 98 84 88 96 88
The New York Knicks had another poor week, losing all four of their games.
NYK @ LAC DET @ NYK MIL @ NYK NYK @ MEM
78 99 97 81 95 82 83 105
The 76ers won only one out of four games this week.
PHI @ GSW PHI @ PHX PHI @ LAC CLE @ PHI
86 126 96 112 91 127 92 95
Stay tuned for next week, where we discuss how the New York Knicks performed throughout the week.