Brandon Jennings scored 21 points and dished out 13 assists to lead the Bucks to a stunning 99-88 win over the Celtics Friday night at TD Garden. With David Ortiz sitting courtside after agreeing to a two-year, $26 million contract extension with the Red Sox, the Celtics came out flat in their home opener.
The 0-2 Celtics, who were booed loudly and often all night, were led by 15 points from Kevin Garnett while Rajon Rondo added 14 points and 11 assists. Paul Pierce missed his first six shots and finished 3-for-11 from the field with 11 points.
The Celtics never found their rhythm in the first half, getting outscored 25-18 in the first quarter and 21-12 in the second. The Celtics made just 12 of 40 field goal attempts in the first half, including missing all six from long range. Pierce picked up three fouls in just under 10 minutes of action and took a seat while Rondo was held to just four points and three assists.
The Garden crowd was so stunned by the miserable first half that they began raining boos down on the team in the second quarter, reaching a peak as Brandon Jennings connected on a teardrop baseline runner just before the halftime buzzer. The bucket put the Bucks up, 46-30, the biggest lead of the first half.
The Bucks pushed the lead to 20 before the Celtics made a run to cut it to 14. The spurt featured a Garnett drive to the basket for a field goal after starting the game 2-for-7. Then moments later, Rondo went to the floor scrambling for a loose ball and drew a foul on Jennings. But with the crowd getting back into it, the Celtics fell apart again, as the Bucks increased the lead to 22, 70-48, with just over three minutes left in the third.
The boos were loud again as the Celtics finished the third quarter down 18, 76-58. The Celtics got as close as 11 points in garbage time in the fourth quarter but could never get the game into single digits and Doc Rivers emptied his bench with three minutes left in the game. The Bucks outscored the Celtics 52-36 in the paint in winning their regular season opener.
The Celtics hit the road after the loss for a game in Washington Saturday night against the Wizards. For more, visit the Celtics team page at weei.com/celtics and the Green Street blog.
Pete joined the show to discuss Tebow's signing with the Patriots. He said that Tim Tebow cant play and that he has trouble learning NFL playbooks.
On this episode of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with the Boston Herald's Jeff P Howe about the Patriots offseason, Rob Gronkowski's back surgery, Danny Amendola replacing Wes Welker, and how this seasons team will stack up against last seasons.
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Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.
Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.
Grande and Max take more calls on the Celtics and discuss what lies ahead for Doc Rivers with Steve Bulpett.
John Farrell postgame press conference
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John Farrell postgame press conference
The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.
Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.
Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.
The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.
Keegan Bradley hopped on the set in Connecticut with D&C to talk some golf, but seeing as how he's a big Boston sports fan, the interview covered a lot of ground. You can hear Keegan talk about the Bruins' Cup chances, the Doc Rivers deal that almost was, and Shawn Thornton's lacking golf game.
Legal expert Michael McCann joined D&C to take on the topic of the day: Just what exactly is happening with Aaron Hernandez? McCann addressed Hernandez' lack of cooperation in the investigation so far, and how that may play out as the case moves along.
Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury and Jagr.
Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins' win.
Andy Brickley joins Mut and Merloni in studio to take phone calls from the listeners and preview Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Salk and Holley break down a big Bruins win over the Blackhawks in Game 3 at the Garden.
We talk all Bruins, all the time with the man himself, as Jack Edwards from NESN gets us ready for Game 3 and beyond.
Four guys, four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. T.O. visits Ocho, Bob Costas has enough smarm for us all, stupid beauty pageant contestants and more.
Mikey gets a surprise call from Red Sox legend Bernie Carbo. They talk about old-time baseball and Bernie's new book.
Mikey talks with Tom and Luke about their new movie, "Plimpton!" and finds out what it was like to try to encapsulate everything George Plimpton accomplished during his life.
Today on the Daily Planet, the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx, Claude Julien doesn't want players wasting energy, and Dwight Howard and free agency.
You ask, we answer. Today featuring NESN's Jack Edwards.
The new way we end the show. You ask, we answer.
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