NEWARK - A slow first quarter gave way to a solid first-half finish as the Boston Celtics retook the lead in the closing minutes of the first half, but a Gerald Green three at the buzzer tied the game as the C's and New Jersey Nets are locked at 28 after 24 minutes of play at the Prudential Center.
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Brandon Bass led the charge, scoring 13, 12 and 12 respectively. Rajon Rondo made an impact with (what else?) his passing, amassing seven assists while going scoreless in the half.
Appearing uninterested for much of the first quarter, the Celtics hung around for the first five-plus minutes, and the score was knotted at 12 with 6:50 left. New Jersey took advantage of Boston's lack of defense, closing out the quarter on a 16-10 run to go up 28-22 through twelve minutes. The Nets built the lead to 36-31 by the 5:48 mark, but Rondo helped spark the offense (with, what else, his passing), assisting on three straight baskets to give Boston a 39-36 advantage. New Jersey closed out the half on a 12-9 run to tie the game entering the intermission.
Jordan Williams and Green both had eight points off the bench to lead New Jersey.
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