The Celtics returned home wednesday night after a four-game road trip and continues their early season success in Boston, downing the Wizards, 114-83, to improve to a perfect 5-0 record at the TD Garden. The win also gave them the best mark in the East, at 9-2.
It's been a much-needed improvement from last season, when the Celtics"were losing games to teams they should have easily beaten ... on their home court to boot," writes CelticsBlog.
"We have a lot of pride in protecting our home," Paul Pierce said. "We know we didn't play well at home last year as we did in previous years, so that's something that we want to get back to and trying to establish our home nigh in and night out.
"We don't want to give anybody any confidence when they come in here. We want to make this building a special place, and you can see it coming."
Wednesday night also marked the season debut of Delonte West, who had been serving a 10-game suspension. He played over 21 minutes and finished with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.
"You know, rusty a little bit in the first stint," Rivers said. "I thought after halftime he probably got his legs a little bit and he just played terrific."
West didn't accompany his teammates on their latest road trip and instead stayed to work out at the Celtics' training facility in Waltham, MA. The extra time has paid off, and given West a jump-start on his catch up back to NBA speed.
"Delonte looked really good," Kevin Garnett said. We saw him when we got back form the road trip, and you could tell he'd been doing double days. We get the feedback from hid work, and we're just happy that he was out there."