Rajon Rondo had 11 assists and four points as the Boston Celtics lead the Toronto Raptors, 47-42, at halftime Saturday afternoon from the TD Garden in Boston, MA.
Just two days after dropping a nationally televised game to the Brooklyn Nets, without start guard Rondo, the Celtics were either going to come out firing or sleepwalk through the first half.
They chose the latter.
In a first quarter that saw Boston shoot 74 percent from the field, Rondo dished out seven assists and scored four points. The Celtics connected on just about every shot they took, missing only five attempts. They moved the ball effectively, rotated efficiently on defense and looked much more like the cohesive team they've come to be known as. Despite turning the ball over five times, they led 30-17 after one.
After a hot start in the first quarter, the Celtics as a team scored only 17 points in the second quarter. Boston allowed the lead to get down to three, before closing the second frame, leading by five.
At the half, Toronto is shooting 42 percent from the field, while the Celtics have connected on 55 percent of their attempts. Paul Pierce leads Boston, scoring 13 points on 11 shots. John Lucas has 11 points for Toronto over 13 minutes from the bench.
Rondo's 11 assists in the first half continued his streak of 10 or more assists, making Saturday his 33rd straight game.
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