A Night of Celebration and Frustration at the Garden
Friday, February 11, 2011
It was supposed to be a night of Celtic celebrations at the Garden. One took place as scheduled. The other was spoiled by the visitors.
Boston’s Ray Allen nailed two three-pointers in the first quarter of the Celtics-Lakers game Thursday night. The second nearly blew the roof off of the TD Garden as Allen became the NBA’s all-time leading three point scorer. Unfortunately, Allen and the Celtics were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers 92-86.
Allen’s 2,561st triple lifted him past Reggie Miller who was part of TNT’s broadcast crew in Boston Thursday night. Play was stopped when Allen hit the record-breaker. He went over and hugged Miller and then his mother before receiving a congratulatory fist bump from Lakers star Kobe Bryant.
Allen’s record is a tribute to not just his talent and longevity, but also his unbelievable work ethic. It took Allen 3 less seasons (15) and more than 300 fewer games to pass Miller meaning he truly is the NBA’s three point king.
Allen’s record setter was part of a festive first half for Boston which saw the Celtics lead the Lakers by as many as 15 points. But Bryant and the Lakers weren’t about to quit.
Bryant was nearly unstoppable in the second half scoring 20 of his game-high 23 points with a dazzling array of shots. Meanwhile, the Lakers dominated the paint with Shaq, Semih Erden and Jermaine O’Neal all out due to injury.
Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom combined for 46 points and 31 rebounds spoiling what otherwise would have been a perfect night for Boston fans.
Unfortunately, the Celtics added to their list of walking wounded Thursday night when Nate Robinson left the game with a bruised right knee and did not return. That left Boston with just 9 healthy players for a majority of the game, two of which were rookies.
Allen’s 20 led Boston. Paul Pierce had 15, Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo 12 each and Kevin Garnett 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Kobe Bryant defended Rondo most of the night and was clearly daring the Celtics point guard to take jump shot. Rondo did but finished the night shooting just 5-14 from the field.
The loss dropped Boston to (38-14) on the season while the Lakers improved to (37-16). Boston hosts LeBron James and the Miami Heat Sunday afternoon at the Garden with first place in the Eastern Conference at stake.
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