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E’Twaun Moore keys big rally for Celtics

Celtics notebook

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January 27, 2012|By Gary Washburn

Celtics guard Avery Bradley (left) sticks close to Orlandos Jameer Nelson… (Mike Carlson/Associated…)

ORLANDO - Celtics coaches and teammates insisted E’Twaun Moore could shoot, although his numbers hardly reflected that. He began his rookie season missing 28 of 37 shots, including a couple of critical attempts in losses to Oklahoma City and Phoenix.

And there was little expected when he entered last night’s riveting 91-83 victory over the Magic with 2:08 left in the third period and the Celtics trailing, 72-56. Just 53 seconds into his stint, he drained a 3-pointer. He began the fourth with another, slicing the deficit to 8.

Capping a stellar performance, Moore added the go-ahead 3-pointer with 7:57 left, then a running, spinning layup with 4:51 left that began a 5-0 run that would seal a 27-point Celtics’ rally. Moore (16 points in 18 minutes) has drawn raves from coach Doc Rivers for his poise and maturity.

“E’Twaun was huge, the other night we won because of Avery [Bradley’s] defense, tonight we won because of E’Twaun’s defense and E’Twaun’s offense,’’ Rivers said. “For a rookie in this atmosphere, I thought that was sensational. In games he couldn’t make a shot, but after Ray [Allen], in practice he’s our best shooter.’’

Moore said he hasn’t been wallowing in his shortcomings because of his teammates’ encouragement.

“They always said, ‘keep shooting, we know you can shoot,’ ’’ Moore said. “It’s definitely keeping me ready to play hard. Everyone talking to me, the communication just makes me feel like I can help this team. When the first [shot] went down, it just helped my confidence and when the second one went down, I was like ‘OK this is more like it.’ ’’

Rondo remains out

Although it appeared Rajon Rondo was close to returning to the lineup a few days ago after spraining his right wrist Jan. 18, the Celtics point guard said yesterday he is not able to shoot or dribble with consistency and could miss several more days.

Rondo attempted to practice Wednesday but it was a brief effort. Rondo wouldn’t say when he would return but said the wrist is at about “45 percent, but I played with my elbow at 37 percent last year’’ during the Eastern Conference semifinals.

“He can’t play,’’ Rivers said. “If he could play, he’d play. His hand just won’t let him. It’s not broken or anything. It’s just extremely sore. He tried to shoot and do things [Wednesday] and you could just see it’s no way. There’s no way he could have been effective.’’