Another masterful play drawn up by Doc Rivers.
With the Celtics trailing 101-100 with 6 seconds left in the game, Rajon Rondo (19 points, 14 assists) lofted a perfect pass to Kevin Garnett (14 points, 6 rebounds) for the game winning lay-up.
The play started with Garnett setting a screen on Jrue Holiday. The Philly defenders switched on the play, leaving the 6-4 Holiday guarding KG. Garnett rolled to the hoop and Rondo easily lobbed the ball over the much smaller Holiday. Why would the 76ers switch on Rondo? The odds of him shooting a jumper there are almost zero.
Kudos to Tommy Heinsohn for calling the alley-oop during the final timeout.
The odds were stacked against the Celtics in this one. No Shaq (calf). Paul Pierce fighting a head cold. Second night of back-to-back. None of it mattered. They gutted out the win. Last year's Celtics team does not win this game.
Offensive rebounding (15) and three point shooting (9-19) kept the 76ers in this game.
You might remember that I predicted Rajon Rondo would sit out this game. He played 47 minutes.
"This is a pretty well officiated game." - Tommy Heinsohn
