In a game featuring many changes -- seeing Ray Allen on the parquet in a different uniform, no Rajon Rondo, and Jared Sullinger in the starting lineup over Brandon Bass -- the Celtics have done a nice job of holding their own. They are tied at 45 with the Heat at the half.
Here are some thoughts:
* Early on, the absence of Rajon Rondo was obvious. There was little ball movement, and a lot of Celtics were standing around on offense. However, that quickly changed in the second quarter.
* Boston's bench is the only reason the Celtics are tied at the half. Led by Leandro Barbosa's 7 points, the Celtics' bench is outscoring Miami's, 18-13. Seeing the need for someone to step up in Rondo's absence, Barbosa dialed up his aggressiveness and became a spark plug on the offensive end.
* I'm sorry, but Jared Sullinger did not deserve a technical foul for getting into it with Rashard Lewis. The technical was the first of Sullinger's career. Danny Crawford and company blew that one.
* Miami is controlling the offensive boards, holding a 9-4 lead in that category. Miami has three players with 2 offensive boards. Boston was doing a poor job of boxing out until the bench (particularly Jeff Green and Jared Sullinger) started to put a body on someone and get physical.
* I loved when Sullinger made the extra effort on the defensive glass when he stayed with the play, slapped the ball away from Chris Bosh, and was fouled, earning himself a trip to the free throw line. If this game was televised on CSNNE, Tommy Heinsohn definitely would have given him a Tommy point.
* Stunning stat of the game: Boston holds the advantage in fastbreak points, 12-3. Shocker.
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