“You can still win games [without Rondo],’’ Rivers said. “We knew that, anyway. Also, we are finding out it is very difficult down the stretch without Rajon in close games. Because he and Paul [ Pierce] and Ray [ Allen] and Kevin [ Garnett] have been together, you have the luxury of calling things you may not have put in this year they can run because they’ve been together.
“Without him, you’re pretty basic offensively, and I think you’re very easy to guard down the stretch and that’s hurt us.’’
Keyon Dooling (hip pointer) also has been out, so the Celtics have been going with Avery Bradley and E’Twaun Moore, essentially third- and fourth-string point guards.
“I think that they’ve both grown,’’ Rivers said. “Avery has established himself defensively, E’Twaun offensively, in some ways.’’
Bradley led the Celtic starters last night in playing time (26:28) and had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
“I told Avery he has to be Andre Miller, who I think is the best cutter without the ball in the league,’’ Rivers said. “Instead of looking at the ball, we told him, just look at your man. Right when he turns his head, cut behind him, he’ll never know you’re gone. And it’s been good for him.’’
Long time coming
Garnett converted his first 3-pointer since April 10, 2011, at Miami.
“I tell him all the time he should shoot more threes,’’ Pierce said. “I’ve seen him take threes all the time in practice and he knocks it down consistently. I mean, he shoots a lot of his long-range 2-pointers that are almost threes, so I know if he started taking them, maybe he could start making more of them because he has that kind of range.’’
Bass gets the hang
The Celtics are still working on integrating Brandon Bass into their defensive plans.
“I’m getting more impressed with his one-on-one defense on the ball - without any rotational thoughts,’’ Rivers said. “He’s really good when he gets into that.
