Another big lead almost went by the wayside, but once again, the Celtics held on late and turned away the Golden State Warriors, 107-103, for their fourth straight win before a sellout crowd at TD Garden. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen led the C's with 27 points apiece and newcomer Jeff Green posted his best game as a Celtic by far, scoring 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting. The Celts overcame Warriors guard Monta Ellis and his game-high 41 points and took advantage of Golden State's inability or unwillingness to play defense, shooting 53% from the floor, including 67% in the first half.
Rajon Rondo chipped in with16 assists and five steals to go with six points and Nenad Krstic put up his fourth straight double-digit scoring game with 11 points to go with six boards for the C's. The Celts led by as many as 18 late in the third quarter before letting the Warriors, led by Ellis (13-of-24 from the floor, 11-of-12 from the line), back in the game. Golden State closed the C's advantage to one point in the last two minutes of the fourth, but could never get over the hump. With 12 seconds left and a two-point lead, Kevin Garnett missed a jumper, but Allen snagged the offensive rebound and was able to ice the game from the free throw line.
Ellis, who scored 28 points in the second half, was primarily aided by David Lee, who dropped 26 points and pulled down 12 boards. The Warriors other big threat, point guard Stephen Curry, was held to nine points and had just five assists against four turnovers.
Green saw the most time of his short tenure as a Celtic, likely due to the absence of injured reserve Glen Davis, playing 28 minutes off the bench. Pierce, who struggled in the first half, blew up in the second, scoring 20 of his 27 points after the break. Allen added to his all-time three-point total, hitting 5-of-8 from long range. The Celts' injury woes continued as well, with Von Wafer rolling an ankle in the second quarter and not returning. It remains to be seen whether or not Wafer will be available for the Celtics' next game on Sunday night in Milwaukee against the Bucks.