89   96
Random notes:
- Rajon Rondo was remarkable. His line of 20 points (9-15 FG), 13 assists, two steals, two blocks, and just one turnover is outstanding, but that also doesn’t measure the constant energy he brought for all 42 minutes he was on the floor. Heck, he even hit back-to-back three’s in the waning moments of the second quarter to shift the momentum our way when we were down.
- The Celtics were down by as many as 14 in the first half, but were able to cut Cleveland’s lead to three by intermission. The Celtics, with that momentum, came out with fire in the third quarter, where they held a 29-17 advantage.
- LeBron James looked as though he was going to put an individual stamp on this game in the first half, where he scored 23 of his 35 total points. James Posey, who played face-to-face on LeBron rather than backing off, got the worst of it. Boston’s defense throughout the second half of the game, however, refused to allow LeBron to get to where he wanted to go. By the middle of the fourth quarter, he grew visibly frustrated.
- The Celtics got extremely sloppy near the end of the game, and virtually begged Cleveland to capitalize and make a late run. The Cavaliers failed to do so, and especially went ice cold from the free throw line late in the game. Ray Allen, following a crucial turnover, came away with a huge tip rebound at the 19-second mark that helped seal the deal. Paul Pierce, who led the Celtics in scoring with 29 points, then proceeded to connect on four of five free throw attempts in the closing seconds to finish the job.
- Kevin Garnett’s night may be overshadowed by Rondo’s excellence, but “The Big Ticket” may very well have had his most complete game of the series. His 26 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks filled the stat sheet, and he was especially unconscious from mid-range territory in the third quarter. Living up to his Defensive Player of the Year title, as usual, he anchored a suffocating second-half defense that aggravated LeBron James and made tight rotations.
- As a whole, the bench was nothing to write home about. Posey struggled on both ends, Sam Cassell had nothing going for himself in the 5:29 he played (kudos to Doc Rivers for sitting him the entire second half – kudos for Rondo to allow him to), Leon Powe missed defensive rotations early on, and P.J. Brown played limited minutes as well. Glen “Big Baby” Davis, however, provided a spark in the second half with his relentless hustle and soft touch around the basket. He even managed to leap-frog over Wally Szczerbiak standing vertically, which may very well have been the funniest moment of the 2008 NBA Playoffs.
- Ray Allen struggled, once again, as he shot 4-11 and made numerous mental mistakes. Luckily, Wally Szczerbiak didn’t make him look bad in this one. The former Celtic started off hot, but ended with just 10 points on 3-8 shooting. Delonte West put together another solid outing, though, by putting up 21 points and four steals. Unfortunately for him, there was nothing he could do to contain Rajon Rondo in this one, no matter how hard he worked.
- The Celtics attacked the basket more throughout this game than they did on the road, which was a positive sign. Let’s hope they bring Game 5’s second half mindset to Cleveland for Game 6, where they’ll have a chance to close out the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2002.
Box Score
Player of the Game
Rajon Rondo
20 PTS, 13 ASTS, 2 REBS, 2 STLS, 2 BLKS, 9-15 FG, 2-3 3FG
Series Standings: Boston leads series 3-2
Game 6: Friday (5/16/08) at 8:00 pm ET (last game aired on CSN this season).
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May 15th, 2008 at 1:53 am
[...] Dustin Chapman wrote an interesting post today on C’s Regain Control, Take 3-2 Series LeadHere’s a quick excerptThe Celtics were down by as many as 14 in the first half, but were able to cut Cleveland’s lead to three by intermission. The Celtics, with that momentum, came out with fire in the third quarter, where they held a 29-17 advantage. … [...]
May 15th, 2008 at 9:58 am
[...] Herald Home cooking again suits Celtics Rajon Rondo’s all grown up Glen Davis fills a Big role Cavaliers’ Delonte West keeps his eye on prize Big game small consolation for LeBron James Aggressive Kevin Garnett steps up game Pyro maniacs rejoice: Celtics say show will go on Ainge enjoys big day Globe Home security Back here, they feel safe In the third, James was given no quarter They seemed to pass this test Rondo rose to occasion Ainge’s honor is just a sidelight right now Assorted posts in the Globe Celtics blog MetroWest Daily Celts finally play like juggernaut Celtics 96, Cavaliers 89: Happy homecoming Celtics.com Rondo’s threes and “D” ignite second-half rally Post game press conference Celtics Blog Hero shot three pointers Thank you Paul Rondo leads the way LOY’s Place Rondo comes up big as Celtics go up 3-2 in the series Comments from the other side – Cavs game 5 Celtics 17 Rajon Rondo elevates Celtics over Cavs in game 5 ESPN Rondo provides support for Big Three Pierce quiets LeBron as Garnett sparks Celtics to Game 5 win Doc Rivers and the ugly side of ubuntu CelticsNews Celtics regain control, take 3-2 series lead Full Court Press Celtics mad lib their way to victory in game 5 Red’s Army Celtics don’t care what Stern thinks Patriot Ledger Rondo’s 3s give Celtics a wake-up call Rondo takes charge in game 5 win SouthCoast Today Pierce finally clutch in the crunch Hoopsworld Garnett, Celtics grab 3-2 lead over Cavs Dreaming of Celtics – LA Road Woes confounding the experts Plain Dealer Beantown bummer: Cavs fade late as Celtics take control of series Regal Rajon: Rondo provides an extra spark for Celtics Regrets? The Cavs have more than a few Boston coach Doc Rivers reveals source of inspiration LeBron played AAU ball with two Celtics Seen and heard at Game 5 in Boston SI.com Fast breaks: Cavs – Celtics Warning signs for the Celtics Bleacher Report Celtics + home court – Sam Cassell = playoff victory Fox Sports With Allen slumping, Rondo raises his game Connecticut Post Celtics regain series lead 3-2 Calgary Herald Celtics give Cavs head start before rising up for victory Eagle Tribune Rondo, West take series to another level Time for Pierce to step up ProJo It’s a Garden party, but just barely, for the Boston Celtics in Game Five Reynolds: Vulnerable Celtics again find salvation at home Garnett is unchanging force for the Celtics Allen isn’t afraid to lean on mates Rondo shows the way for Celtics this time Sporting News Celtics do enough to stay favorites in the East Beacon Journal Cavs fail to finish what they started Players avoiding dreaded Boston pollen Chronicle Telegram Pierce, Allen struggling shooting right along with James National Post No place like Home in NBA playoffs Buffalo News Road woes puzzle Celtics GoErie Cavaliers on Mission in Boston Arkansas Democrat Gazette LeBron needs help from his teammates not his mom Courtside View Game 5 pregame from the Garden Shamrock Headband Ah yes, this again Green Bandwagon Are the Celtics front runners? Bill Simmons and the Boston Celtics Sports of Boston KG, Rondo lead the way, Still perfect at home Leon Powe Fan Site Rondo’s heroics save Doc and the Celtics Metro Home cooking carries C’s again Playoffs are a different game Worcester Telegram Almost home LeBron’s numbers don’t add up to a victory Ainge named top exec Lowell Sun Home sweet home [...]