Clippers 89, Celtics 95

Game Highlights

Photo of the Game

Ray Allen attracts the attention of three separate Clippers defenders as he attacks the rim from the free throw line.
Steve Babineu/NBAE/Getty

By Marc D'Amico
Celtics.com

Key Moment

Boston briefly led by 10 points for a moment in the fourth quarter, but don't let that number fool you... this game was a close one throughout.

While the Celtics did everything they could to put away the pesky Los Angeles Clippers, Mike Dunleavy's squad continued to hit big shots in big moments. In fact, three different players drilled a 3-pointer for the Clips in the final 31 seconds of the game. Before each one of those shots, fans were on their way to the exits. After each one of those shots, those same fans had to look over their shoulder to make sure the C's would hold on for the win.

While Los Angeles continue to drill their shots, it wasn't the attempts from the field that helped Boston maintain its lead. No, tonight it came from the unlikeliest of sources -- the free throw line.

Boston has struggled from the line in recent games, causing many NBA media members to pin a few Celtics losses on free throws alone. But that kind of play wasn't in the cards tonight. Instead, Boston's four best players each stepped up to the line in the final 34 seconds of the game and combined to shoot 9-of-10 from the charity stripe, in effect ending any momentum the Clippers momentarily gained with each of their threes.

It was the last place most would have thought the Celtics would win the game, especially seeing that they were only 14-of-24 form the line prior to those final 10 attempts, but the leaders of this team stepped up to the plate and delivered when it mattered most.

Key Box Score Line

Paul Pierce may have led the game in scoring, but Rajon Rondo was the best player on the floor tonight. He finished with another night that was borderline triple-double, falling just three rebounds short of the feat. He also wreaked havoc defensively by grabbing four steals. His ability at both ends of the court carried Boston tonight, and he even chipped in a couple of clutch free throws in the final seconds of the game to help seal the win.

Box Score Nuggets

• No Celtic reserve scored more than five points.
• Craig Smith (13 points) and Ricky Davis (12 points) combined for 25 points off the bench for the Clippers.
• Kendrick Perkins grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds tonight, 14 of which were defensive.
• The Celtics limited Los Angeles to only 38.8 percent shooting in the game.
• The Clippers grabbed 11 offensive rebounds.
• Boston shot only 4-of-14 from 3-point range.
• Paul Pierce scored a game-high 22 points, including 11-of-11 from the free throw line.
• Kendrick Perkins was the only Celtic starter who didn't finish with double-digit points. He scored nine.
• Both teams scored 16 fast break points.
• The teams combined for 21 steals.
• Every Celtic starter finished with a +/- rating of at least +10.
• Marcus Camby grabbed 14 rebounds for the Clippers.