Nate Robinson found out that he would be the Celtics' starting points guard on Sunday afternoon in New Jersey "literally two seconds before the game started" after starter Rajon Rondo was injured during pregame warm ups, according to head coach Doc Rivers.
That didn't bother Robinson, though, who went on to score a game-high 21 points and helped Boston post a 100-75 win over the Nets at the Prudential Center.
"I just go about things the same way," said Robinson (via Yahoo! Sports), who scored a game-high 21 points and dished off for six assists in the Celtics' 100-75 rout, the team's seventh straight win. "I just play the same way as if I was coming off the bench."
Robinson scored eight points in the first four minutes of the game. Boston (16-4) held a 27-25 advantage after the first quarter and outscored the Nets (6-15) 30-12 in the second quarter to take a 57-37 lead into the break.
The third quarter wasn't much better for the Nets, who were again outscored 23-16. New Jersey was able to put it together in the final period, outscoring Boston 22-20, but it was too little, too late for the hapless Nets.
Kevin Garnett had 13 points and 14 rebounds and Ray Allen added 13 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Celtics. Paul Pierce finished with eight points and four assists while Shaquille O'Neal had three points and four rebounds.
Glen Davis added 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench, Marquis Daniels scored 10 points and Von Wafertotaled eight points in 18 minutes for Boston.
Jordan Farmar led the Nets with 16 points off the bench. Anthony Morrow and third-overall pick Derrick Favorsscored 10 points a piece in the losing effort.
Devin Harris had an off night, finishing with seven points and three assists in 24 minutes.
Boston made 39-of-77 shots (50.6%) but only made 3-of-15 shots from beyond the arc (20%). In addition, the Celtics made 19-of-29 free throws (65.5%) and totaled 49 rebounds, 24 assists, 13 turnovers and eight steals.
New Jersey connected on 27-of-72 shots (37.5%) and made 5-of-15 threes (33.3%) and finished with 36 rebounds, 16 assists, 18 turnovers and eight steals.
Both teams have been on streaks lately, with the Celtics winning their last seven games and the Nets losing their last four.
Boston is off until Wednesday night when it hosts Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets at TD Garden (7 p.m. EST). New Jersey travels to face Atlanta at Philips Arena on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. EST.