Rousing Comeback Caps C's Summer Season

By Peter F. Stringer
Celtics.com
July 14, 2006

LAS VEGAS - Despite the threat of a Detroit blowout, the last game of Summer League turned out to be quite a tilt.

The Celtics fell behind early and trailed by as many as 17 in the second quarter, but they chipped away with some nice pressure defense in the second half, mostly from Rajon Rondo.

"We knew we didn't want to go out with a loss, and we stuck with each other and fought back hard," said Rondo.

Coach Tony Brown credited Rondo with leading the charge.

"Some guys tend to say 'the hell with it', and some guys say 'let's cut into this lead' and they change the momentum of the game. I think Rondo is one of those guys," said Tony Brown.

The comeback was complete when Allan Ray found Dwayne Jones under the hoop for the slam to tie it at 81-81 with 2:36 to play, bringing the Boston bench to its feet. And after a Pistons hoop, Rondo nailed a three to put the Celtics ahead 86-85, and a Ray (26 points) steal and Gerald Green (22 points) free throws secured an 88-85 win at Cox Pavilion.

With the win Friday, the Celtics posted a 3-2 mark for the Summer League.

Ray and Leon Powe got the start instead of Sebastian Telfair and Ryan Gomes. Telfair was in street clothes on the bench ("dehydration cramping" was the official word), while Gomes was dressed but did not see action.

When a fan called to Gomes from the crowd and asked him why he wasn't playing, Gomes laughed and responded, "I'll see you in November."

Wes Wilkinson and Akin Akingbala got some decent audition time in the fourth quarter, but as the Celtics drew closer in the fourth, Green and Powe came back in for the last few minutes as the Celtics looked to steal a victory.

The Celtics once again fell behind early in the first. Detroit jumped out to a 17-9 lead early, and they led 22-14 after the first quarter. The Pistons continued to dictate play and built their 17-point lead with a minute left in the half, and they led 49-34 at the break.