The Celtics are back on the map

I have been to countless Celtics game in the past few years but nothing can compare to the atmosphere last night for the 2007 season opener. For one thing, it was sold out and the crowd was electric from the beginning. A "Let's Go Celtics" cheer broke out, something which I'm pretty sure I've never heard before when I've been at the Garden. All in all it was a great opening night as the Celtics rolled over the Wizards, 103-83.

The Celtics came out a little too amped up as Garnett threw up a brick for his first shot. Both teams traded misses before KG sunk two free throws. Boston opened up a lead in the second quarter which ballooned to 22 by halftime. They cruised in the second half as the Wizards could never pull it down to single digits. The Big Three all played well: Pierce had a game-high 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists; Ray Allen had 17 points; Kevin Garnett had a monster double-double: 22 points, 20 rebounds, along with 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. KG submitted the top highlight as he completely stuffed Gilbert Arenas, right back in his face.

Rajon Rondo was the surprise of the game as he had 15 points and 4 steals. He consistently showed the ability to get to the basket and finish. If he can score in double digits, more than once every few weeks, this team will be hard to beat. Even Scalabrine got into the act as he had 9 points (including back-to-back three pointers). Pierce, Allen and KG came out with a few minutes left to a standing ovation.

This was just one game. It's pointless to read into anything beyond this particular performance against an overmatched Wizards team. Lots of Patriots in the house: Bob Kraft and his wife, Seau, Welker, Adalius Thomas, Wilfork (haha, wearing a Wilfork#75 Celts jersey), Maroney and Chad Jackson. It was cool to see a Beat the Colts message for the Pats on the jumbotron during a break. Ellsbury and Wakefield also made an appearance with the World Series Trophy. It looks like it should be a fun season, seeing how this Celtics team develops. There's very few dominant teams in the NBA and arguably none in the Eastern Conference so it's wide open. I'm psyched that I already have tickets to four other games. With the Sox done for a while and the Pats in mid-season, it'll be nice to have another team to get into during the long winter months. I love college basketball but it'll be a bonus to have a competitive NBA team. The Celts hit the road tomorrow to face the Raptors.