SB Nation Boston - Celtics 93, Nets 76: Boston clobbers Brooklyn on Christmas Dayhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2012-12-25T14:40:08-05:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/35663132012-12-25T14:40:08-05:002012-12-25T14:40:08-05:00Celtics 93, Nets 76: C's prevail on Christmas Day
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<p><span>Rajon Rondo</span> stepping up in a nationally televised game certainly wasn't a surprise. <span>Jared Sullinger</span> doing so, however, was.</p>
<p>Rondo and Sullinger teamed up to help the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> pick apart the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a>, 93-76, and spoil their holiday in a nationally televised affair at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Christmas Day.</p>
<p>Rondo finished with a team-high 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting and also had five assists, five rebounds and three steals while Sullinger filled up the stat sheet with 16 points (6-of-7 shooting), seven rebounds and one block. <span>Jeff Green</span> also had a nice afternoon coming off the bench, amassing 15 points. Boston shot 49.4 percent as a team and hit 60.0 percent of its shots from long distance while also posting a 41-36 advantage on the boards and improving to 14-13 on the season.</p>
<p><span>Brook Lopez</span> led the Nets with 15 points and eight rebounds while <span>Deron Williams</span> had a relatively quiet game with 10 points and six assists. <span>Joe Johnson</span> chipped in with 12 points and <span>Jerry Stackhouse</span> added seven off the bench for Brooklyn, which was limited to 40.6 percent shooting as a unit.</p>
<p>The Celtics trailed by two, 24-22, after one quarter but used a huge second quarter to pull ahead 56-42 at halftime, outscoring the Nets 34-18 in the period. Brooklyn made a run in the third quarter, rattling off nine straight points during the frame, but couldn't build on their success after a 7-0 run to close the quarter for Boston and failed to make a significant run in the fourth quarter on the way to their ninth loss in the month of December and 13th overall this season.</p>
<p>Chippiness would ensue late in the third quarter after Garnett and <span>Gerald Wallace</span> (15 points) became tangled up when Wallace grabbed and wouldn't let go of Garnett's shorts. The two received technicals fouls for the mix up, which likely stemmed back to last month's altercation between the two teams at TD Garden that resulted in the ejection of Rondo, Wallace and <span>Kris Humphries</span>. Humphries did not play on Christmas Day due to an abdominal strain.</p>
<p>Boston returns to action late Thursday evening against <span>Chris Paul</span>, <span>Blake Griffin</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, marking the second game of the Celtics' four-game west coast trip. Brooklyn faces the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 12.25.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></td>
<td>22</td>
<td>34</td>
<td>17</td>
<td>20</td>
<td class="highlight">93</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> </span></td>
<td>24</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>16</td>
<td>18</td>
<td class="highlight">76</td>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team blog,<a href="http://www.celticsblog.com" target="_blank"> Celtics Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/12/25/3803050/celtics-vs-nets-final-score-rajon-rondo-jared-sullinger-nba-christmas-dayGethin Coolbaugh2012-12-25T14:03:00-05:002012-12-25T14:03:00-05:00Celtics 73, Nets 58: Boston opens up lead in third
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<p><span>Rajon Rondo</span> has 19 points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a>, 73-58, Christmas Day from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.</p>
<p>The scoring was rare in the third quarter, but Boston used a 8-2 run to push their lead in the frame as they look for their first win over Brooklyn this season.</p>
<p>The defense wasn't there like it was in the first half, when the Celtics moved effortlessly from player to player and forced bad looks at the hoop and lazy turnovers. Brooklyn just couldn't hit their shots, until it used a 9-0 run to get right back into the game.</p>
<p>The scoring drought would end with a Rondo transition bucket, but the Celtics still couldn't find their footing, as the Nets only trailed by nine with just over two minutes to go in the quarter.</p>
<p>After their bigs got them back into the game, Brooklyn's guard duo of <span>Joe Johnson</span> and <span>Deron Williams</span> scored nine-straight points for the Nets to make it a game.</p>
<p>But with under a minute, as the Nets seemed to be right back in it, Rondo willed the Celtics on another run, drawing a charge from Williams, sending a nice dish to <span>Jared Sullinger</span> for two and hitting a three for a 7-0 run.</p>
<p>Boston is hitting 46 percent from the field, while the Nets are connecting on 41 percent of their attempts</p>
<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team page, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/12/25/3802976/celtics-vs-nets-nba-score-update-news-2012-rajon-rondo-jared-sullinger-brook-lopezRaj Prashad2012-12-25T13:19:30-05:002012-12-25T13:19:30-05:00Celtics 56, Nets 42: Boston holds halftime lead
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<p><span>Rajon Rondo</span> had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists as the Boston Celtics lead the Brooklyn Nets, 56-42, Christmas Day from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.</p>
<p>After taking a brief lead in the first, Brooklyn took control and coasted through the quarter.</p>
<p>But a short spurt to end the quarter gave the Celtics confidence to start the second frame. With Rajon Rondo taking a breather, Boston attacked the basket and got to the foul line to take their first lead since the opening minutes of the game.</p>
<p>The Celtics used a 21-5 run to take a 12-point lead early thanks to tight defense, lead by Rondo and the bench..</p>
<p>But while the scoring was nice, it was Boston's defensive effort, led by <span>Kevin Garnett</span>, that led to the change of pace. The Celtics used crisp rotations and stifling pressure on the ball to force bad Brooklyn shots and easy turnovers under the basket.</p>
<p>The Nets shot 45 percent in the half, while the Celtics notched 50 percent from the field after scoring a whopping 24 points in the second quarter.</p>
<p>Boston held a 24-15 rebound advantage at the half, thanks in large part to the play of <span>Jared Sullinger</span> off the bench.</p>
<p>Sullinger was arguably the player of the half, providing energy for the Celtics while hitting 10 points and grabbing six boards.</p>
<p><span>Brook Lopez</span> led the Nets with 10 points and three rebounds at the half.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Intermission</span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="undecided"> <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> </span></td>
<td>22</td>
<td>34</td>
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<td class="highlight">56</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="undecided"> <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> </span></td>
<td>24</td>
<td>18</td>
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<td class="highlight">42</td>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team page, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/12/25/3802912/celtics-vs-nets-nba-halftime-score-update-2012-rajon-rondo-jared-sullinger-brook-lopezRaj Prashad2012-12-25T12:42:04-05:002012-12-25T12:42:04-05:00Nets 24, Celtics 22: Brooklyn takes the early lead
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<p><span>Rajon Rondo</span> had seven points, two assists and two rebounds as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> trail the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a>, 24-22, on Christmas Day from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.</p>
<p>After losing four of their last five games, the Celtics wanted to get off to a hot start against the Nets.</p>
<p>Their offense got rolling, scoring all eight of their points in the paint to start the quarter. Boston's offense would move the ball steadily throughout the quarter, receiving even contribution from the bench for nine points.</p>
<p>Over the first half of the quarter, <span>Jason Collins</span> was arguably one of the most productive Celtics, scoring two points, grabbing two offensive rebounds and drawing a charge.</p>
<p>Brooklyn struggled to start the quarter, but found their rhythm, pushing to lead for most the quarter. The Celtics' focus on defensive rotations, even with <span>Kevin Garnett</span> out of the game, allowed them to keep the contest close.</p>
<p><span>Brook Lopez</span> led the Nets with nine points and two rebounds in the first quarter.</p>
<p>Brooklyn shot 56 percent in the quarter, while the Celtics notched 41 percent from the field.</p>
<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team page, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/12/25/3802838/celtics-vs-nets-nba-score-update-news-2012-rajon-rondo-kevin-garnett-deron-williams-brook-lopezRaj Prashad2012-12-25T08:48:17-05:002012-12-25T08:48:17-05:00Celtics kick off Christmas marathon
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<figcaption>Christopher Pasatieri</figcaption>
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<p>The Boston Celtics play the Brooklyn Nets in the first of five NBA games on Christmas, including an NBA Finals rematch and a showdown between Mike D'Antoni and his former team.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> play at noon, but they're one of just five NBA games spanning the entirety of Christmas Day. Here's a look at who's playing and the TV schedule for a holiday filled with hoops:</p>
<p>Noon, Boston Celtics vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a>, ESPN: Neither team has been playing their best ball of late, as the Celtics look to get back at the Nets for a pair of losses earlier in the season.</p>
<p>3 p.m., <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, ABC: The Knicks have been one of the elite teams in the league thus far at 20-7, while the Lakers have famously struggled. But they've won four straight, and now <span>Steve Nash</span> is back to play under his old coach Mike D'Antoni, who faces the Knicks for the second time in his tenure with Los Angeles.</p>
<p>5:30 p.m., <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a>, ABC: Not many games could be better on paper than an NBA Finals rematch between the best team in each conference. Both teams have added elite shooters since June, with the Heat bringing in <span>Ray Allen</span> and <span>Kevin Martin</span> shooting 45 percent from deep on the year for the Thunder.</p>
<p>8 p.m., <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Chicago Bulls</a>, ESPN: This might be the time to say hi to your family. The Rockets have gone above .500 thanks to a three-game winning streak, while the Bulls have won seven of 10 to take the top spot in the Central Division.</p>
<p>10:30 p.m., <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>, ESPN: The second game of the day at the Staples Center features the hottest team in the NBA, a Clippers squad that's won 13 straight -- and they haven't just been wins, they've been blowouts, as the Clips have won eight of those by 15 points or more.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/celtics/2012/12/25/3802590/2012-nba-christmas-games-scheduleRodger Sherman2012-12-25T08:01:28-05:002012-12-25T08:01:28-05:00Celtics try to avenge pair of losses to Brooklyn
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<figcaption>Jared Wickerham</figcaption>
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<p>The Boston Celtics start a Christmas Day marathon, as they try to avenge two earlier losses to the Brooklyn Nets.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> look to get back at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a>, as the C's tip off a Christmas Day filled with basketball against their divisional rival.</p>
<p>The Christmas spirit wasn't in display the last time these two teams met, with Rajon Rondo, <span>Gerald Wallace</span>, and <span>Kris Humphries</span> getting ejected. As a result, the C's haven't had Rondo for a full game in either of their two games against Brooklyn. Rondo was hurt with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Leandro Barbosa</a> filling in when they lost 102-97, and then he missed most of the 95-83 loss after the fight. But that was a different Brooklyn team: in the second game, they were riding a four-game win streak. Then, <span>Brook Lopez</span> got hurt, and although he's now back in the lineup, the team hasn't gotten much better, losing eight of its last 11 games. Boston hasn't done well either, regressing to .500 thanks to losses in four of the Celtics' last five games.</p>
<p>The game starts a four-game road trip that will take the Celtics into 2013. They're only 4-8 on the road thus far this year, something they'll need to change sooner rather than later if they hope to make a run to the playoffs. <span>Rajon Rondo's</span> season is still ridiculous, but he's had a bit of a dropoff: after over 30 straight games with 10 assists or more, he's failed to hit double digits in three of four games while looking to score more than usual.</p>
<p>Here's the info on how to catch the game:</p>
<p>Tuesday, Dec. 25</p>
<p>Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets, 12 p.m., ESPN</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/celtics/2012/12/25/3802072/celtics-vs-nets-preview-tv-infoRodger Sherman2012-12-25T08:00:59-05:002012-12-25T08:00:59-05:00Celtics and Nets kickoff NBA Christmas Day slate
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<p>The first of five NBA games on Christmas Day, the Boston Celtics visit the Brooklyn Nets at noon ET. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> kickoff the NBA's slate of Christmas Day games with a noon matchup in Brooklyn. Brooklyn and Boston are currently holding on to the seventh and eighth spots, respectively, in the Eastern Conference standings.</p>
<p>This will be the third metting of the year between Boston and Brooklyn. The Nets won both previous meetings, 102-97 on Nov. 15 and 95-83 on Nov. 28.</p>
<p>The Celtics are coming off a 99-94 overtime loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, but have been off since Friday. <span>Paul Pierce</span> had 34 points in the victory that brought Boston to .500 on the season. Pierce is the Celtics' leading scorer thus far, averaging 21 points per game. <span>Rajon Rondo</span> has averaged a double-double, picking up 13.5 points and 12.2 assists per game.</p>
<p>Brooklyn has ben led by the play of <span>Joe Johnson</span>, <span>Brook Lopez</span> and <span>Deron Williams</span>, all of whom are averaging more than 16 points per game. The Nets will have a shorter turnaround than the Celtics, coming off a Sunday afternoon game against Philadelphia.</p>
<p><b>Game time: </b>Noon ET</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Barclays Center</p>
<p><b>National TV:</b> ESPN</p>
<p><b>Local TV: </b>CSNN (Celtics) and YES (Nets)</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/celtics/2012/12/25/3798946/nets-vs-celtics-2012-nba-christmas-day-game-previewJohn.Wilkinson2012-12-25T07:05:03-05:002012-12-25T07:05:03-05:00Celts vs. Nets: Boston meets Brooklyn on Christmas
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<figcaption>Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics (13-13) square off against Joe Johnson and the Brooklyn Nets (14-12) in a Christmas Day clash at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.</p> <p><i>Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring</i>.. except <span>Doc Rivers</span> drawing up plays for the Boston Celtics' game against the Brooklyn Nets on Christmas Day.</p>
<p>Boston and Brooklyn will meet for the third time this season and the second time at the Barclays Center, with the contest tipping off at 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN/WEEI). The game is the first of five featured NBA tilts on Christmas Day.</p>
<p>Thus far, the Nets have had the upper hand in their head-to-heads with the green. Brooklyn captured the first two victories, 102-97 on Nov. 15 and 95-83 on Nov. 28. In the first contest, <span>Deron Williams</span> carried the Nets with 24 points and eight assists while <span>Brook Lopez</span> had 24 points and four blocks in the five-point victory. Boston, playing without star point guard <span>Rajon Rondo</span> who was out with an injury, was led by <span>Paul Pierce</span> (22 points, seven rebounds, four assists).</p>
<p>In the next meeting, fireworks would fly after <span>Kris Humphries</span> delivered a hard foul to <span>Kevin Garnett</span>, causing Rondo to spark a brawl with Humphries. Once the dust settled, three players were ejected -- Rondo, Humphries and <span>Gerald Wallace</span>. The ejection brought Rondo's 36-game double digit assist streak to an end, as he finished with six points and three assists. Two players scored 16 for Boston (Kevin Garnett and <span>Brandon Bass</span>) while Pierce had 14 points and <span>Jason Terry</span> added 13 points as the Celtics shot 42.7 percent and turned the ball over 17 times. <span>Joe Johnson</span> led the Nets with 18 points and Lopez had nine points and 10 boards.</p>
<p>Lopez leads the Nets in scoring this season (17.5 PPG) as well as rebounding (8.2 RPG) while Williams is averaging 16.8 points and a team-high 8.1 assists. Johnson (17.2 PPG), <span>Andray Blatche</span> (11.5 PPG) and Wallace (11.1 PPG) are the only other Nets players to average double figures in scoring. As a team, Brooklyn is shooting 44.1 percent.</p>
<p>Paul Pierce, who is coming off a week in which he scored 75 points -- including a season-high 40 against the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>, leads the team in scoring with 21.0 points per game. Rondo leads the Celts in assists (12.2 APG) and steals (2.0 SPG) while Garnett is averaging team highs in rebounding (7.0 RPG) and blocks (0.7 BPG).</p>
<p>December has not been a strong month for Boston, which has posted a 4-6 record since Dec. 1 and has dropped four out of its last five. Brooklyn hasn't fared any better this month, going 3-8 entering Tuesday's showdown.</p>
<p>Boston and Brooklyn will meet once more at the end of the season on April 10.</p>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> <br><span class="blog_link">@ <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Brooklyn Nets</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Tuesday, Dec 25, 2012, 12:00 PM EST</span><br> Barclays Center</p>
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<p><i>For more Boston Celtics coverage, check out our team page, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com">Celtics Blog</a>.</i></p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2012/12/25/3802254/celtics-vs-nets-2012-preview-rajon-rondo-paul-pierce-deron-williams-nba-christmas-scores-newsGethin Coolbaugh