It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp

Like the rest of New England (and most of the country), I was transfixed by the Jacksonville Jaguars-New England Patriots game last night. In a case of tough scheduling, the Celtics also played last night in Washington. I saw the start of the C's game and then only bits and pieces from there on out. Apparently, the Wizards won 85-78, snapping the Celtics 10-game road winning streak and also handing them their second loss in three games (!).

Rajon Rondo sat out with back problems, so the point guard duties fell to Tony Allen (8 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals) and Eddie House (11 points, 5 assists, 3 steals). Injuries or even fatigue (third game in four nights) were no excuse as the Wizards (19-16) were in the same boat with Gilbert Arenas out and they were playing a back-to-back as well.

Kevin Garnett (19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks), Paul Pierce (15 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Ray Allen (8 points) were held in check. Nobody else really stepped up for the Celtics (30-5). Kendrick Perkins (9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks) and James Posey (8 points, 3 boards, 2 steals, 2 blocks) were decent but not enough.

The Wizards got a team-high 19 points and six boards from Baron Davis/Papa Smurf wannabe (the beard) DeShawn Stevenson. Caron Butler had a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and four steals while Antawn Jamison notched 10 points, 16 rebounds and three steals.

The game was tight from the start as Washington jumped out to a 23-19 lead after the first quarter. Washington held a 41-40 lead at the half. Things looked good for the visitors going into the fourth as Boston was up 65-60. The fourth quarter was a nightmare though as the Wizards outscored the C's 25-13 to take the win.

For the game, Boston outshot Washington 41.3% to 36.8%. The Celts were a decent 9 of 25 from three while the Wizards were 2 of 18. Washington owned the free throw line (27-30) against Boston (17-23) and also had a huge night on the glass (49-30). That wiped out the C's 21-13 advantage in assists.

These teams will get today off before Washington travels to Boston to take on the Celtics again. You gotta think the Celts will win the return match but it looks like Rondo will miss that too.