Boston 105, San Antonio 103

Even without the dramatic ending, this would have been a pretty good basketball game.

[recap] [box score]


If you didn't watch it -- and many couldn't, since it wasn't on national TV despite the fact that ESPN didn't have an early game in its early Wednesday night slot -- the end was bizarre, almost surreal. Up nine with 56 seconds left, the Celtics first allowed a tough three-pointer to Manu Ginobili. After Ray Allen was fouled (the Spurs weren't in the penalty), Paul Pierce was mugged on the sideline as he brought the ball up. No call, and Tony Parker drove for an easy layup to the cut the lead to four. After a Boston timeout, Nate Robinson subbed in and caught the inbounds pass in the backcourt, dribbled around a bit too nonchalantly, then threw a weak bounce pass to Rajon Rondo that Ginobili intercepted while knocking Rondo over. Richard Jefferson was fouled at the rim, and knocked down both free throws. Just like that, it was a two-point game, and Boston had to shoot, rather than wait to get fouled (not that the officials were going to call it). Pierce ran the screen and roll with Allen at the end of the shot clock, missed, but the rebound bounced to Robinson, who handed it to Ray, Mr. Automatic, who has promptly fouled. But Ray missed both free throws, and it wasn't until Pierce snuffed out a Ginobili three-point attempt that would have given San Antonio the game that the win was solidified.

In the end, though, the final score was probably right. Boston was just a couple of points better than San Antonio on this night. It was nip and tuck most of the way, and then the Spurs kind of ran out of steam, until the final minute, when the unexplainable began to happen. (The first play was an obvious foul; the second was closer, but still probably a foul; and how often does Allen miss two free throws?)

I have to be on a plane back to LA in a few hours, and I'm without my usual computer, so I'll be quick. Rondo was brilliant, dishing the majority of his 22 assists in the first three quarters, then scoring eight of his 12 points in the fourth period. He added ten rebounds for a triple double and also had six steals. Allen's shot was falling from the beginning; he finished with 31 points on 13 of 16 from the field. Glen Davis made 10 of 18 shots for 23 points, and Pierce fought through some, um, physical defense from the Spurs to finish with 18 points on seven for ten shooting.

Give credit to the Spurs, too, who played a hell of a game the night after a track meet with the Knicks. You have to assume that the Lakers will come around sooner or later, but even if they do, the Spurs are going to be a real threat to them in the West.