Rajon Rondo made a buzzer-beating layup to cap off a 9-2 run to close out the first half, but the Boston Celtics still trail the New Orleans Hornets, 48-39, after 24 minutes of basketball at New Orleans Arena.
Rondo, who has a team-high eight points, made 3-of-5 field goals in the half for Boston, which shot a lackluster 33.3 percent from the floor on 15-of-45 shooting. Ray Allen buried two three pointers for six points and Marquis Daniels had six points. The Celtics had five turnovers but totaled eight blocks, eight assists and three swipes.
Carl Landry led all scorers with 10 points and Jarrett Jack finished with half with eight points in his return to action for New Orleans, which shot at a 41.5 percent clip from the floor on 17-of-41 shooting. Marco Belinell had seven points and both Emeka Okafor and Chris Kaman had six points for the Hornets.
For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and blog, CelticsBlog.