29 Up, 29 Down AKA The Quest For #17 Continues

I hate to say "I told you so" but I told you so. Last night, the Boston Celtics were focused on not only sending a message to the rest of the NBA but they wanted to avenge their March 22nd loss to the New Orleans Hornets. After trailing 60-56 at halftime, the green team clamped down on defense and exploded offensively in the 3rd quarter outscoring the Hornets 32-15 in the quarter. David West and Jannergo Pargo, who dominated in the second half of the last contest were both held in check.
Rajon Rondo established the tempo early and drove often, several times he left leading NBA MVP candidate Chris Paul in the dust, only able to read the back of his jersey as he scored the ball. While CP3 finished with 22 points 10 assists and 3 steals he was still -25 for the game (worst on his entire squad) and Rajon Rondo went for 17 points (on 8-10 shooting), 4 assists and 1 steal and checked in at +28 in 6 fewer minutes of work.

Paul Pierce abused Peja Stojakovich (who couldn't guard a mailbox) and Bonzi Wells (he's in shape..he's round) time and time again, ultimately ending with 27 points, 6 rebounds and a team high 9 assists (he also was a perfect 13-13 from the charity stripe) and Kevin Garnett finished the night with 21 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block. The tandem were both showered with chants of "MVP!" from the throng of Garden faithful during the game.

The Celtics shot just under 60% for the game (44-74 .595) and the outscored the Hornets 56-32 in the second half to win the game going away (we got to see Gino on the Jumbotron again!). The final score was: Boston Celtics 112 New Orleans Hornets 92. The C's have now become the second team in the NBA (Utah Jazz) to defeat every other team in the league at least once this season. At 57-15, Boston now has a 6 game lead on the Detroit Pistons with 10 games left in the regular season.

I fully expect to see Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to move up that damn MVP Top 10 ranking list that scrolls at the bottom of the screen on NBA TV starting on Sunday. It' s time for the rest of the country to recognize and realize that Green is the new Black. Black is the new President and the Boston Celtics are the best team in the NBA. See you all come playoff time.

One.