Monta Ellis scored 37 points for Golden State, which forced 25 Boston turnovers, and he made two free throws with 2.3 seconds left to help hand the Celtics just their second two-game losing streak this season.
“It was more the 25 turnovers that turned the game,’’ said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. “It’s an easy way to look at it [missing Pierce]. Obviously he’s our go-to guy down the stretch of games.’’
It was clear the Celtics missed their captain after the first quarter. Ray Allen scored 13 points in the first, but only 10 the rest of the way. Kevin Garnett wasn’t his usual aggressive self offensively and Tony Allen had nearly as many turnovers (5) as points (6).
It was Rondo who carried the Celtics at times offensively. He ended the third quarter with a 3-pointer to cut the Golden State lead to 80-76.
“Rondo was great,’’ Rivers said. “I thought he played terrific all night. His [left] hamstring is bothering him. We almost took him out, and he just wanted to keep playing.’’
But in the middle of the third quarter the Celtics hadn’t been able to stop 20-year-old Anthony Randolph; he scored 6 straight points to put Golden State ahead, 71-66, its biggest lead of the game.
In the fourth quarter the Celtics were chasing and didn’t have enough gas to catch the speedy Warriors. And after converting 15 field goals in a 35-point first quarter, the Celtics made just 25 in the final three.
While Rondo resembled an All-Star in the first 12 minutes, he committed three silly turnovers on telegraphed passes in the second quarter, resulting in several C.J. Watson layups - and then a slap foul on Ronny Turiaf 90 feet from the basket with 0.4 seconds left in the quarter.
That capped an awful period for Boston, which allowed Golden State to shoot 70 percent (14 for 20) and grab seven steals. The Warriors began the quarter a 20-9 run as Ellis got hot.
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