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Fast Break: Paul Pierce’s 40 points end Celtics skid 12.19.12 at 9:54 pm ET
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His Celtics in desperate need of a victory after a winless three-game road trip, Celtics captain Paul Pierce scored a season-high 40 points for the first time since 2010 to will the C’s over the Cavaliers, 103-91.

With help from veteran teammates Rajon Rondo (20 points, 8 assists), Jason Terry (15 points) and Kevin Garnett (12 points), Pierce also contributed eight rebounds and five assists to push the Celtics above .500 (13-12).

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Raging Rondo: Add another strange stat line to Rondo’s resume. He finished the first quarter with 12 points, four rebounds and zero assists. More importantly, he attacked the basket, attempting all five of his field goals in the paint and making four of them. Rondo also set the tone early against Kyrie Irving on the other end, holding his Cavaliers counterpart to four points and no assists in the opening quarter as the C’s took a 27-25 lead.

Captain on course: Slowly, inevitably, Pierce is righting his ship. After shooting a respectable 13-of-23 (4-8 3P) in his last two games, Pierce started a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc against Cleveland. He finished 13-of-16 from the field and 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Pierce’s 10 first-quarter points staked the Celtics to an early lead, and his 17 third-quarter points kept the Cavaliers at bay. All in all, Pierce’s best night of the season.

JET grounded no more: A night after attempting just two shots against the Bulls, Terry returned to the starting lineup, scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and drilled a trio of treys, including a dagger with 2:48 remaining.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Serving of Irving: Of course, Rondo couldn’t keep Irving quiet the entire night. The Cavs star nearly matched Pierce’s offensive outburst in the third quarter, scoring 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-3 from long distance. He scored nine of Cleveland’s final 11 points in the frame, slicing a 20-point Celtics lead in half.

No rest for the weary: As the Celtics built their seemingly insurmountable second-half lead, coach Doc Rivers rested both Pierce and Garnett in the third quarter, hoping to limit their minutes during their fourth game in six nights. Only the bench (combined 15 points on 6-16 FG) couldn’t hold the fort, allowing the Cavaliers to cut the lead to two with nine minutes remaining and placing the burden on the starters’ tired legs.

The Collins Experiment: Rivers replaced Brandon Bass in the starting lineup with Jason Collins, a move that elicited a collective “Huh?” from the crowd during pregame announcements. If the Celtics haven’t pressed the panic button, they certainly have their hand on it. Collins finished with more fouls than combined points and rebounds as Cavaliers center Tyler Zeller scored a season-high 20 points.

Read More: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA, Paul Pierce Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Miguel

    mortensen would’ve given up the game winner…he stinks

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_SLJFCNGNC7JC2MXKQPTQ2XWZFI Brian S

       Sounds like a miserable Yankee fan… sulking because his bullpen gave up 4 runs!!

      • Nomar

        The Red sox had 7 of there starting player’s in the game, The Yankees had only 2 of there starter’s in the game. All their pitcher’s in the game other then wade were minors league players and still the sox did nothing. They are horrible, they have no righthanded power at all. Youk looks old and beat up already, What a pile of dogsh–t the Sox are

      • rivera65

        Not really Brian we had our triple A team in when Wade gave up those runs.  We clearly weren’t worried about the game but you should be worried that our triple A team got four runs off your A squad and that our pitcher Phelps shut down your A lineup.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Taylor-Jr/1168741575 Don Taylor Jr

       Yo, Miguella, You got ESP & ESPN ? How the heel do you know what he would have done you dummy. The MAN’S LIVING is on the line, not your food stamps ! Show some compassion you flaming idiot.  You can’t see beyond your nose, that’s for sure.

  • Joecg2000

    WHO ARE YOU???? Shut up and go to the minors silly

    • Joeymikey

      Who are you??????? Nice

  • BFD

    3 games 6 SCORELESS innings, the guy deserves to be pissed-off, it was his chance to prove something to management.

  • Nyyfan_in_nh

    pre season, extra innings….please     and when mortenson’s career shows up , let me know….go booby v !

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Taylor-Jr/1168741575 Don Taylor Jr

       Another NYDummy shoots his wod of know-nothings.

  • Sully65

    Yanks should of announced out of players long before he made it to the mound

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Taylor-Jr/1168741575 Don Taylor Jr

       Sully65, It’s even more than that–the evils should have considered the fans who spent good $$ for over-priced tix, $4/gal gas; food; and anything else to see an ending to “a game.” Not a meaningless game–a GAME. That pitcher’s means to raise a family, etc. Another proof that far too many teams forget the FANs. I mean it’s not they are doing heavy lifting or that exciting job of being a “Walmart Greeter.” What happened at the end of that game really pi$$s me off–even more against the damn yankmees !

    • Rivera65

      dude this is Girardi getting Valentine back for all those Jeter/Arod comments.  I think its hilarious and Bobby looks like a whining child.

  • Dondorn

    The Red Sox should walk off after the first inning. Or even better, kick some Yankee tail this year!
    Go BoSox!!

  • Jharrin3206

    Why do writers try to stir things up. Your headline is way over stated.

  • GaryR

    Get over it kid…getting pissed at the Yankees will not endear you enough to land you a roster spot! Just pitch and shut up…

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Taylor-Jr/1168741575 Don Taylor Jr

       Yo GaryR–you shut the hell up you big dumb “B” !!!!!!  the man wanted to pitch !
      He didn’t the chance because the yank-mees didn’t to drive home in the dark or miss HAPPY HOUR.  

      • Tone68420

        Dude u have no idea what so ever what ur talking about so shut the hell up and take the back seat just like the red sucks do every year to the yankees you tool!!

        • DonPlaysAYamahaTyros

           B.S. !  I shoulda  types  MORE, but i found your response in my SPAM mailbox…I have forgotten MORE THAN you will ever know. So puff on that…dudette

      • Lyricalelel

        Really it was a very important for the Red Sox. That they needed to bunt to tie the game in the 9th inning. That win now they could have stucked it in there butt pocket and pulled it out for a September win. Really Red Sox fans this is what it’s come to.

        • DonPlaysAYamahaTyros

          What the hell do ya think SPRING TRAINING IS you Dummy ??  It’s practice for the SEASON daaaaaaa. For years Sox have had little or no “money/Billy-ball skills.  Maybe now they will have the opposition thinking ???  will they hit or will thy bunt or just go back & have a beer.

  • Michael

    “It’s my chance to show them I can kind of do it.”

    Aim higher, Clayton, aim higher.

  • Cmyke4

    im sooo tired of hearing nicknames….merloni ur not on the team anymore,  tek this salty that, schill this……..    ur playing days are over,  been over,  so PLEASE NO MORE NICKNAMES, IT sounds stoopid!!!!

    • Tiger

      They have a special table set up in the clubhouse where the mandatory nicknames are assigned. Star or scrub, you gotta have one. No other team does that.

      Fits in well with the pink hats and “Sweet Caroline”. If they got rid of all of the above, they could have won last year.

  • Dharris

    Who is Mortensen anyway? And who really cares what he thinks? Typical Valentine stirring the pot

    • Chickey19

      Typical uneducated poster and no doubt, Tito lap dog.

  • Jimtyrrell

    Should have kept him based on what I saw. Trust me folks, I have been a sox fan since. 1948 and this team has more holes in it than Swiss cheese and they are going nowhere. There is commander Valentine and grades based on last years stats. No unity. Do they still go home in separate cabs?
    Jim from Cumberland, Maryland

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Taylor-Jr/1168741575 Don Taylor Jr

       Another POSITIVE THINKER ! Go rent the  dvd  “the SECRET”  It can happen this year. Seems most of the “holes” you mention are not just on this, or any other team, they are in your and all the other nay-sayers.

    • Frank G

      Well I know Bobby V is smarter than Joe Mcarthy who started Denny Galehouse in the 48 playoff game instead of 20 game winner Mel Parnell.One of the worst managerial decisions
      in RS history.  I think Bobby V will be a breath of fresh air.

  • Dano50

    Obviously there are few real Red Sox fans who bother to post on this board.  Just negative nellies, frustrated NY frontrunners, frauds and phonies. Last spring…with pretty much the same team…folks from all over were projecting this same club to be in the World Series…the same geniuses now peg them for last place.  Beyond idiotic.

    • Cmyke4

      they pick them this year not to win it all cuz the teams character is obvious now. theyre all spoiled entitled selfish players. their true colors came out last year. beckett wont change , gonzalez said he’d act the same this year as he did last year, he even complained about late sunday night games….r   u kidding me, with the contract he got he complains about not enough rest.. please!!!!   spoiled  and selfish……. watch and learn

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Taylor-Jr/1168741575 Don Taylor Jr

    the evils should have considered the
    fans who spent good $$ for over-priced tix, $4/gal gas to get there +parking; food; and
    anything else to see an ending to “a game.” Not a meaningless game–a
    GAME. That pitcher’s means to raise a family, etc. Another proof that
    far too many teams forget the FANs. I mean it’s not they are doing heavy
    lifting or that exciting job of being a “Walmart Greeter.” What happened at the end of that game really pi$$s me off–even more against the damn yank-mees !

  • Dirtywater

    You like Darnell McDonald….I like DMc …everybody likes DMc..problem is he’s only half of a backup OFer…and he’s out of options…so yes he needs to make this team and increase his trade value until Crawford finally stops reading his contract clause on injuries…

    Hope he finds a spot where some team needs him because he doesn’t look good for mid summer

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/SH2PUX7AAK6PZHR3BAJHMOPI2A Nip

    Hey Don, here’s the thing – it’s not Girardi’s job to worry about Red Sox pitchers. He has his own pitchers to worry about. It was past 10:00 and the yankees had a 2+ hour drive to get home before a split-squad double header at 1:05 the following day. Why would Girardi burn through even more pitchers (minor leaguers who have no chance at making the team, mind you) and push the game even further into the night while his starters lose sleep before games the following day? Do you think it makes sense for Girardi to do that to his players so one sox pitcher can throw another spring training inning (he was cut the following day, btw – how much could have possibly have impressed Bobby V?). Put yourself in Girardi’s shoes and you’ll see it was the only reasonable move.

    Oh, and let’s talk about the fans. First of all, they got 9 innings of pre-season exhibition baseball, nobody has a right to complain. Second of all, what about the fans at the yankee games the following day? Extending that game may have meant they would have seen tired, worn-out, and ineffective players. WHY DON’T YOU CARE ABOUT THE FANs!?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Don-Taylor-Jr/1168741575 Don Taylor Jr

     11:20 AM SAT.

    Nip, Let’s begin by stating I respect your opinion! Allow me to point out a few angles you have not considered..OK ?

    #1: We’re talking “Baseball. !”
    where No one is getting checked into the boards or ducking 90+mph
    slapshots or having to skate & stop on a dime etc. etc.  It’s NOT
    football where guys are taking pot-shots at your knees even during
    practices to earn a roster spot. It’s nowhere like B-ball where mostly
    200+lb. giants are courted as gods by the uneducated of the country-oh
    forgive me-the “educated” will use basketball to gain FREE education,
    but, that’s for another day.

    BASEBALL and a 2 hr bussride: YOU, Nip, paint that as such a physical challenge to all those poor underpaid premadonna yankees.  My hemorrhoids bleed for them !

     OMG, they would have to be awake
    & at the park by 11am for the following day’s split-squard and in
    tip-top shape no less. OMG, what a challenge as compared to our beloved
    troups around the globe. OMG, Nip, a baseball player who has doctors,
    trainers, whirlpools, meds and MORE AT HIS DISPOSAL all w/o having to
    worry about his co-pay +/or HMO card. All that while most of us FANS
    have to skimp & save & sacrifice to get by paycheck-to-paycheck
    or worse UNemployment ck-to-ck let alone fret doctor’s visits !  My God,
    those ballplayers WHO HAVE guarantee contracts, have it so very tough. 
    Weather , that pitcher, or any other player for that matter, gets cut
    the very next day, is NOT for YOU or anyone else, to judge his
    performance by.

    HE DESERVED A CHANCE to SHOW HIS
    TALENTS just as you or I would deserve another chance any day in LIFE.  A
    chance ! That chance to live the dream of being a  big league baseball
    player in the “show.”

       I don’t blame Giraldi alone,
    yet, b-4 pulling his band of  ‘pu$$ys’  he could have discussed an
    amiable end w/ the ups AND Bobby V.  What,,,is Giraldi blind ? he didn’t
    see the Sox pitcher in the pen / Is 10PM too freakin’ late for new
    yorkers ‘vacationing’ in Fl ??  Oh yea,  what about the FANS who PAY for
    their inflated contracts ??

    If they r too damn tired the next day, have an extra cup of late` or pop a NoDoz w/ their steak-n-eggs breakfast !!

      Nip stated “Why would Girardi burn through
    even more pitchers (minor leaguers who have no chance at making the
    team, mind you) and push the game even further into the night while his
    starters lose sleep before games the following day?”

          Shirely, you joke (&
    iAM  calling you Shirely).  They will lose sleep ?? Burn another pitcher
    ?  Oh poor babys again, my hemorrhoids bleed for thee & them. They r
    baseball players NOT factory workers or even bank tellers whose job can
    be lost in a moment’s concentration loss OR worse, if they don’t hound
    their customers to open new accounts so said bank can squeeze them w/
    more add-ons. Ask anyone who works for wells fagarro (I’m misspelling to
    avoid a bleep here.) !!!

      Nip: “Put yourself
    in Girardi’s shoes and you’ll see it was the only reasonable move.”

    I can’t & won’t ! “G” is a puppeteer for yankmee ownership & a card carrying member of the good-ol-boy’s baseball club.  his only sign of compassion is for his team period. i can but will not go on . . .

       
    I guess the reasons for my becoming inflamed over this callus baseball
    thing is because the one AMERICAN pastime, needed by most all AMERICANS
    to take our minds off our everyday trials, tribulations & daily grief…baseball has become HEARTLESS to us regular-Joe FANS.  I can only fallback on my memories of my Dad taking me to see a Sox-Yankee doubleheader
    in 1967. The 2nd game went 22 innings ! Sox lost after winning the 1st
    game yet, it was a GREAT experience for this 16yr old to have seen my
    team play as well as having had “YAZ’ , Phill Rizzutto; Joe Garagiolla
    & Ellie Howard pose for  pics for me & my (Ct.)high school newspaper never asking to get paid for them !!

       
    I still fondly remember paying $2.50 to see a Sox game while in college
    in ’68; taking my new bride, Karen, to see Roger-Roid pitch a game
    during our May honeymoon in ’87.

        Now, mmm, when i compare the tic. prices to the necessities of life for my family, taking into consideration the  mindset of SOME managements–I say forgetaboutit ! I’ll save lots of $, watch mlb.com in HD  from my wheelchair where i know MY restroom & kitchen is clean & I can tune the wicked world out by raising the volume. It ain’t a perfect ‘soulution’  yet, it’s far better than spending all that $$ to watch 2 baseball teams quit playing because 1 team might get a boo-boo and be tired. yea, so tired from playing a child’s game called baseball. I OK’d all this ! It’s my 2-cents !

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/SH2PUX7AAK6PZHR3BAJHMOPI2A Nip

      It sounds like you have more of a problem with spring training rules regarding ties than you do with this particular game.

      I too have been to long games. I remember an 18(?) inning game against the Tigers in the mid 90s that was the first of a double header. The difference is it was the regular season, not spring training.

      Here’s the bottom line – this was an exhibition game, essentially a practice session. Girardi felt that it had reached the point where it was no longer productive for his players, and so he ended it. That’s why yankee fans defend Girardi – he puts his players before himself. You’ll never hear anyone say the same of that attention whore you call a manager.

      Now go give those hemorrhoids a rest.

    • Tiger

      Geez, Don. Don’t you have anything better to do.

      And, learn to spel.

  • wayne7779311

    Mortensen, very quietly, (to my pleasant surprise) actually has pitched pretty well this spring training. Took to the mound for 7 complete innings: struck out 9 batters, and gave up absolutely 0 runs in 4 games. I wish that I could say this for some of these other bums who we’ve had auditioning for us thus far in spring training.

  • NapoleanSolo

    Yankees walked off in the10th?  Red Sox walked out on their season at the beginning of September last year, why the tears?

  • LT

    No one expects a spring training game to last more than 9 innings, but Bobby didn’t think not playing wasn’t courteous he said Girardi not making it known that he had no more pitchers and just walkin off the field wasn’t courteous. Typical self-involved self-righteous Yankees thinking the world revolves around them. How hard is it to communicate that you have no more pitchers to the opposing manager? Jackasses.

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/SH2PUX7AAK6PZHR3BAJHMOPI2A Nip

      He did…and the game ended. Bobby’s just using this as another excuse to have his name in the papers.

  • Joshuamondragon87

    I saw you pitch in CO Mortensen, trust me if you can’t get hitters out in the AL west, you won’t do it against the Yankees. Get real!

  • mascmen7

    Have u seen Iglesias at bat swinging at balls several feet away from him. Sure out. Aviles can hit unlike Iglesias. 

  • Jcarr

    There is absolutely no question.  Aviles is 10x the MLB player Iglesias will likely ever be.  Aviles may only be average defensively, but he is a real hitter.  As long as he is average as an SS, and hits the way he can, he is the man.  Iglesias is going to be traded to a team that needs a defensive utility man.  Unless he puts on about 40lbs. of muscle and learns how to read pitches, he will never be a starting SS on any team.

  • George Herman Ruth

    Ask Theo if he would take Iglesias 4 Starlin Castro. Stop chuckling,Theo. As the Three Stooges owners might say, this is another fine mess you’ve got us in,Theo.

  • Ochoriosesmiscasa

    And just who is this guy? He seems like a bum looking for attention

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  • AtomicTickets

    I’d like to see them bring Carter back if he is healthy, or bring Carter & Roth in to see who wins a spot , the more Defensive competition the better !  I like Atogwe and Coleman but Im not sure if the have enough versatility for Bill, we also need a Kick returner. I think we are going to see alot of changes on Defense and more running & screens on offense . New England Patriots

  • http://sbpra.com/paulvsuffriti Paul V. Suffriti

    Carter will be back…..depth….pass on the rest. Pats will develope what they have right now….should be interesting competition for a roster spot this summer.

  • Justonesguysopinion

    Carter, Roth, and Coleman would all be impact players this year.  Too much youth can be a a hindrance.  Let Hightower, Dowling, Dennard, and Jones ease their way in.  By the time we get to the second half of the year they’ll really be able to step in and make some big contributions.  Plus they can avoid hitting that rookie wall come December.

  • http://www.littlepuppiesonline.com/ Lavonne

    New England, as Benson appears to be on the downside of his career and
    McNeill has had serious back problems over the last few years.

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