PHILADELPHIA -- The Celtics came into Game 3 against the 76ers with an edge that was evident throughout the game. They were upset about how they lost Game 2, and coach Doc Rivers said he felt the focus was evident when they arrived for shootaround prior to Wednesday's game. Rivers singled out Rajon Rondo, but Rondo as the point guard said it was a team-wide approach responsible for the C's 107-91 victory.
"I really believe we needed this game. I thought we responded well tonight," Rondo said. "It wasn’t just me. It was everyone. We all were pretty focused today in shootaround. Obviously we had two close games at home. We wanted to show these guys -- send a message tonight and I think we did a pretty good job of that."
Their focus started seconds after their tough loss in Game 2.
"After the game I came in and just said, ‘We’re not going to beat anybody -- JV teams or high school teams -- if we were not going to play together," Kevin Garnett said. "We’ve worked so hard to get to where we’re at and we got there together. Ubuntu -- we’ve been preaching that since I’ve been here. I had to just remind the guys, including the younger guys, so the new guys on how we succeed here and the creed, Celtics basketball and what we are here. I just had to reiterate that."
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