Rajon Rondo scored a season-high 23 points and added 12 assists to lead the Boston Celtics over the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-87, avenging their loss to the Cavs earlier this season. The Celtics are now 13-4 overall and 6-3 on the road.
Rondo had a superb shooting night as he went 11 for 14 after missing his first three shot attempts. Rondo did play though both a hamstring injury and a foot injury, however it appeared that he wasn't bothered by it. Celtics coach Doc Rivers did bench Rondo late in the fourth quarter, as he only totaled 38 minutes, which is low for him.
With Delonte West injured, the Celtics bench had been in question, but it wasn't tonight. Glen Davis scored 17 points off the bench including 11 rebounds. Davis recorded a rather high number of 32 minutes. Marquis Daniels also had an impressive showing as he managed 16 points on 33 minutes. With the absence of West, Daniels got the bulk of the load spelling both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett had a quiet showing as they scored 11 points each. Pierce had a good night from the field, going 4-7 as he only played 23 minutes. Garnett struggled with his shot as he only was 4 for 11 from the field in 30 minutes of play. Garnett did manage to grab 10 rebounds. Ray Allen also had a quiet night from the field as he scored 12 points and connected on 1 of 3 three-point attempts.
After having a 16-point performance against the Nets and a 25-point performance against the Raptors, Shaquille O'Neal didn't have quite the night he had been accustomed to over his last few games as he only managed 6 points and seven rebounds in just 23 minutes against his former team.
The Celtics host the Portland Trailblazers tomorrow and hope to open their December with a home win.