Scalabrine Clutch as Garnett-Less Celtics Win

By KC Downey in Celtics, Featured ⋅ November 19, 2008 at 8:26am ⋅ Post a comment

Nothing gets me more excited than a Brian Scalabrine three-pointer. I’ll admit it’s a rare sight, as Scal rarely sees actual game action. Before Tuesday night’s game against the Knicks, Kevin Garnett was suspended for an “altercation” with Bucks center Andrew Bogut. In KG’s place was Scal, and that set the scene for a dramatic fourth quarter shot in a 110-101 Celtics win.

Scal (8 points in 20 minutes) hit his three with just 1:14 remaining to put the Celtics up by seven after the Knicks rallied from a 15-point fourth quarter deficit. Other Celtics stepped up too, with Paul Pierce pouring in 22 points and eight rebounds. Kendrick Perkins tallied 16 points and eight rebounds while Rajon Rondo added 15 points, eight reboudns, and seven assists.

Leon Powe and Zach Randolph pushed each other underneath the basket, with the the referees issuing double-technicals as a result. It was apparent looking at the replay that they were just playing hard near the hoop while they jockeyed for position. Knowing that Randolph is a punk and Powe is a good, clean player, I imagine Randolph may have initiated the confrontation.

Wilson Chandler led the Knicks with 23 points (11-23) and seven rebounds in defeat. The aforementioned punk (Randolph) finished 18 points, eight rebounds, and a rare blocked shot (it was just his third of the season). Besides his ability to grab defensive boards, Randolph plays pretty soft for a big man.

Next up for the 10-2 Celtics is a date with the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.