Last night, Rondo was brilliant down the stretch, but what pleased Rivers most was that Rondo finally trusted himself enough to take a clutch jumper. Rondo spent the entire evening spinning to the basket, sometimes as close as a mere layup, but choosing to swing the ball to a teammate. It frustrated the crowd and while the Celtics rallied behind his defense and leadership, Rondo appeared hesitant to shoot.
Perhaps he had flashbacks to Sunday, when he was left open for a 3-pointer at the end of regulation and missed, or throughout that game when New York coach Mike D’Antoni chose to leave Rondo alone on the perimeter because he has yet to prove he can convert a consistent jump shot.
Last night’s key jumper carried a high degree of difficulty. He had the ball as the 24-second clock melted away and he had no choice but to launch a shot. So he spun toward the basket near the baseline, his momentum pulling him away from the goal. He released a rainbow fade away that rolled through the net for a 109-105 lead with 9.6 seconds left.
Rondo finished with just 10 points, but his effect on the game was unquestioned. While his teammates were busy clanging 3-pointers - 7 for 27 - Rondo insisted on darting into the lane and setting up easier baskets. It seems the Celtics are intent on breaking out of their 3-point doldrums and that was the primary reason why Philadelphia remained in the game.
The 76ers hit 13 out of 20, including a combined six from Jason Kapono and Willie Green. Ray Allen, Rasheed Wallace, and Eddie House were a combined 4 for 17 and that almost led to a fourth home loss.
It is apparent the Celtics are a better team when Rondo controls the pace and pushes the ball. He sparked a 23-7 run to begin the fourth quarter. He scored 8 points with 3 assists and 2 rebounds in the final period, showing flashes of dominance against rookie Jrue Holiday.
“Confidence,’’ was Wallace’s response when asked what Rondo could take away from his late-game dagger. “It was a big shot. Even though that wasn’t the drawn up play, still to have the confidence in your teammates knowing that they could hit a shot. That’s something that you need down the stretch.’’
