Anything can happen over the next six months but will everyone admit that at this moment the Lakers and Celtics are head and shoulders above anyone else in the NBA?
Boston (15-2) won its seventh straight last night, 102-78, over the Philadelphia 76ers (7-9) last night at the Garden.
After giving up 100+ points in two consecutive games, Boston got back to its meat and potatoes style: defense, passing and smart shots.
Ray Allen had a game-high 23 points while Kevin Garnett added 16 points. Rajon Rondo had six points, six rebounds and 12 assists. Kendrick Perkins had eight points, seven rebounds and four blocks.
Paul Pierce had another terrible night (6 points) but nobody will remember that as Leon Powe and Tony Allen each scored 10 off the bench.
Boston outscored the Sixers 22-16 in the first quarter and led 46-28 at the half. A 27-19 third by the Celtics allowed all the starters to sit out the entire fourth quarter.
Philly's scrubs outscored Boston's, 32-29 in the garbage-time fourth.
When the game was still somewhat competitive, Elton Brand (18 points, 8 rebounds) was the only Sixer who bothered to show up. Louis Williams scored 15 off the bench and Andre Miller had 12. Marresse Speights added 12 before he was booted with less than a minute left in the game thanks to a hard-foul on Brian Scalabrine (totally worth it).
Boston shot 51.3% to Philly's 41.6%. The C's took advantage of free throws (18-for-22) while the Sixers did not (12-for-21). It's hard to do but the Celts doubled up the Sixers on assists (30-15).
The C's travel to Charlotte tonight to take on a very beatable Bobcats team.
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