And the Celtics again struggled offensively, managing just 83 points and losing for the second time in a row for the first time this season. It's also their second straight setback at the once-imposing TD Banknorth Garden.
Other than the gutty win over the Pistons in Auburn Hills Jan. 5, the Celtics have been, well, mighty ordinary in January, winning four of seven games. They eked out down-the-stretch victories at home over two Western Conference teams, Houston and Memphis, helped out by a celestial game from Kevin Garnett in the former and some misfiring Grizzlies in the latter.
There was the big win in Detroit and, since then, thud. Losses to Charlotte and Washington (twice) and a victory over the Nets in Jersey, which, as we now know, is no big deal. Portland, tomorrow night's opponent, shredded the Nets by 16 last night in Jersey.
So what's up? In their last seven games, they've scored in triple figures only once (100 points against Memphis) and have had 86 or fewer in their last four. Their last two point totals, 78 and 83, read like a John Daly scorecard.
"We're not scoring points for some reason," Kendrick Perkins said. "But it's better that it's happening now so we can clean it up."
This is hardly a novel idea - we've been discussing this since the summer - but what is keeping the Celtics from bringing in someone with experience to back up Rondo; in other words, a point guard? Or, failing that, why not thrust Gabe Pruitt into the mix? Isn't that why they drafted him? He may not be ready, but he at least has experience at the position. They could activate ex-Williams point guard Mike Crotty, their jack of all trades, and he'd probably be an upgrade.
Other than Garnett, Rondo may be the one guy the team can ill afford to lose because he makes so much happen out there at both ends. Watching Tony Allen or Eddie House trying to run an offense is like waiting for a turnover to happen. It's not in their DNA. It is in Rondo's. And he is a certifiable beast on defense as well as an excellent rebounder.
"That clearly puts us in a bind," coach Doc Rivers said of Rondo's absence. "We know that."
