Celtics 109, Knicks 98

Missing Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Darko Milicic, and Brandon Bass seemed to really affect this team for about the first quarter and a half. At around the 7 minute mark in the second quarter, the Celtics that were active participants decided that they had had enough. Boston ended the second quarter on a 24-9 run, cutting a 13 point deficit to 5 at the half. From there, they never looked back, beating the short-handed New York Knicks 109-98.

The good: 

Not to sound like a broken record, but Jeff Green is one of the many bright spots from this game. In most likely his best preseason performance, Green scored a team-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting in just under 38 minutes, a heavy load during the preseason for the 26 year-old. He may have had the play of the game as well. New York's Mychel Thompson had what looked like an easy transition layup off a Micah Downs turnover, but guess who sprinted down the court to make a highlight-reel rejection from behind: none other than Mr. Green.

Another game, another double-double for the self-proclaimed "smartest player in the league" Rajon Rondo. He had 13 points, dished out 11 assists, and even grabbed 6 boards. He was instrumental in leading the comeback from a 20 point hole in the first half. 

The C's outrebounded New York 39-33. They have had more rebounds in 4 of their 7 preseason games, a positive stat that, although it isn't eye-popping, should be a continuing point of emphasis.

The JET has been cleared for takeoff. Well, he took off on Thursday. After scoring 15 points on 5-of-5 from downtown on Thursday, Jason Terry followed up with another tremendous performance tonight, scoring 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He stayed red-hot from three, going 4-of-6. His consistency is something the Celtics are going to rely on and shouldn't take for granted. 

The bad:

After outscoring the Nets on Thursday in the first quarter 27-15, the Celtics came out flat in the first frame tonight as the score after one read 28-15. This was probably due in large part to the absences of Garnett, Pierce, and Bass, but the Knicks certainly didn't roll out their best starting five either. 

If there is one facet of Rondo's game to needs some improvement, it would be his turnovers. Rondo had 6 giveaways tonight, a team-high. Although he is the point guard -- point guards tend to turn the ball over more than the average player due to the fact that they have the ball more often than other players -- Rondo needs to limit his turnovers as much as he can. Turnovers have been a constant problem throughout this preseason, and look for Rondo to address that over the week before the season opener. 

The C's wrap up the preseason tomorrow as they host the Philadelphia 76ers. Doc said after the game that he wasn't sure if Pierce will play, but KG will definitely see action -- but only for the first half. It is still unknown if Leandro Barbosa will play. Also, look to see a decrease in Rondo's playing time. It's the second night of a back-to-back, and it's the last game of the preseason, so there's really no use for him to even be out there, right? When asked if Rondo would not play a lot to try and save his legs, Rivers responded, "Rondo's young; what's he saving them for?' Classic Doc Rivers.