Celtics vs. Trail Blazers live blog: Boston coasts past Portland, 96-78

Live blog of Friday's game between the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers.

FINAL: CELTICS 96, TRAIL BLAZERS 78

Check out our game story for the recap.

FOURTH QUARTER: CELTICS 83, TRAIL BLAZERS 62 (8:59)

Portland looked like they were getting back into the game, but after failing to convert in transition, Boston would hit back-to-back treys to push the lead back over 20. Jeff Green has 19 for the Celtics, while LaMarcus Aldridge has 23 for the Blazers. Portland has only made two of their 13 attempted three-point shots, while Boston has hit only 37 percent of their threes. Without star guard Rajon Rondo, the Celtics have dished out 19 assists on the night as Paul Pierce and Courtney Lee are tied with a team-high five assists each..

END OF THIRD QUARTER: CELTICS 75, TRAIL BLAZERS 59

The Trail Blazers can't afford to trade buckets being down by so many points late, and that's exactly what's happening. LaMarcus Aldridge has a game-high 21 points for Portland, but the Celtics have four players in double digits and they've really controlled the game from the tip. Boston's bench has outscored the Blazers' 24-3 through three quarters.

THIRD QUARTER: CELTICS 69, TRAIL BLAZERS 45 (5:54)

Portland hit their first triple of the game after missing on their first nine attempts to start the third quarter as they tried to jump start a comeback. For the first time in the game LaMarcus Aldridge wasn't doing all the dirty work, as his teammates started finding their rhythm despite trailing by double digits. Boston still hasn't lost control of the game though, holding a 24-point lead halfway through the third. At this point, Courtney Lee holds the quietly good stat line of the night with six points, five boards, four assists and two steals.

END OF SECOND QUARTER: CELTICS 56, TRAIL BLAZERS 33

Jeff Green has come alive in the second quarter for the Celtics. After missing both shots he attempted in the first quarter, Green has a team-high 14 points in 13 minutes along with two steals, two assists and one block. Boston is well on their way to a blowout despite LaMarcus Aldridge's attempts to keep the Blazers in this one. Aldridge leads Portland with 17 points, with J.J. Hickson notching seven points and no other player having more than four. The Blazers are shooting just 23 percent at the half, while Boston has connected on 56 percent of their attempts.

SECOND QUARTER: CELTICS 32, TRAIL BLAZERS 18 (10:04)

Boston has opened up their largest lead of the game early in the second. Portland's bigs can't find their way to the paint, only notching six points in that area versus the undersized Celtics. Boston's defensive scheme has Trail Blazers rookie Damian Lillard all sorts of confused, holding a team-worst -13 on the floor and two turnovers.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: CELTICS 25, TRAIL BLAZERS 18

LaMarcus Aldridge led a 7-2 run in an attempt to bring Portland back at the end of the first, but it was all Boston. Aldridge has nine of Portland's 17 points in the quarter. Courtney Lee is hustling all over the floor and has four points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal after one. Jason Terry leads the Celtics with six points, but all Boston starters have scored at least twice.

FIRST QUARTER: CELTICS 15, TRAIL BLAZERS 7 (5:30)

Without Rajon Rondo, the Celtics are using their entire arsenal early in the first quarter, with Paul Pierce running more of a point-forward and the rest of the team filling in gaps in transition. Pierce has three points, three rebounds and two assists early. Despite the hot start, the Blazers have gotten to the free throw line eight times already. Boston has seven rebounds to Portland's three.

GAME PREVIEW: CELTICS FACE LIFE WITHOUT RAJON RONDO

Is there life without Rajon Rondo? The Boston Celtics will be forced to find out as they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night at TD Garden in Boston, MA with their signal caller serving a two-game suspension for his role in an altercation against the Brooklyn Nets. Boston enters the game at 8-7, fourth in the Atlantic Division, while Portland is 6-9 and dead last in the Pacific Division. Leandro Barbosa will likely start in place of Rondo, but Doc Rivers could opt to let Jason Terry play point guard and put Courtney Lee at the two. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. SB Nation Boston will provide live updates from Friday night's game right here. Check back often for new content.Thanks for reading!

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