You Can't Stop Jonathan Gibson, You Can Only Hope To Contain Him

The Celtics (2-0) staged a nice rally from 17 points down in the first half and 9 points in the fourth quarter as they beat the Nets (0-2) 82-73 tonight in the 2012 Orlando Summer League.

Guard Jonathan Gibson (New Mexico State) went off in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his 17 points to help Boston take care of Brooklyn. He was 3-for-5 on 3-pointers overall and 4-for-4 from the field in the final frame. Most impressive, he did all his damage in only 14 minutes.

Three other Celtics scored in double-figures: E'Twaun Moore (15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), Kris Joseph (11 points, 5 rebounds) and Dionte Christmas (10 points). Jared Sullinger (8 points, 12 rebounds) didn't have quite the scoring output of Monday but he made up for it by owning the glass, including four offensive boards. JaJuan Johnson and Jamar Smith each scored eight points as well in the satisfying victory.

Al Thornton led the Nets with 16 points and eight rebounds, showing that his career could get back on track. Providence College alum MarShon Brooks added 13 points and four assists while former No. 3 pick in 2006 Adam Morrison had a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) and rookie point guard Tyshawn Taylor put up 10 points but also seven turnovers.

Boston led 24-18 after one quarter but an extended drought in the second quarter gave Brooklyn a 45-31 advantage at halftime. The Celtics rolled 51-28 in the second half including 30-14 in the fourth quarter.

The C's hit five more 3-pointers (7-2) which made up for six less free throws made (23-17).

After playing in the final game of the day on Tuesday, Boston gets the first one on Wednesday. They'll meet Indiana (2-0), live at 11 a.m. on NBA TV.

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Kevin Garnett's intensity will melt your face off

The universe and planets seem to be aligning properly once again, coincidentally as Kevin Garnett has made his triumphant return to the Boston Celtics' lineup.

The Big Ticket has been limited to less than 20 minutes in each of his first three games back but the club has clearly used his spark, winning three in a row, including a 90-77 decision over the Los Angeles Clippers last night at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Garnett only played 18 minutes, but he was an impressive 5-for-5 from the floor with two free throws for 12 points, two rebounds and two steals. He got into the game in the first and third quarters and wouldn't ya know those were the two deciding frames.

Ray Allen led the C's (54-18) with 20 points, Kendrick Perkins had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds while Rajon Rondo added 14 points, seven assists and five steals. For the third game in a row, a probably fatigued Paul Pierce (who carried the team in KG's absence) scored in single digits (nine points).

Still, the starting five is back together which is bad news for the rest of the NBA and hopefully Leon Powe and Brian Scalabrine, not to mention Tony Allen are back in the action before the playoffs start.

Zach Randolph, my role model, had his usual empty numbers performance of 17 points and 14 boards for Los Angeles (17-54). Baron Davis added 13 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and Al Thornton tossed in 11 off the bench.

Boston led 31-18 after the first quarter but struggled with KG on the bench in the second quarter, limping into the break with a 44-42 lead.

Garnett and the C's outscored the Clippers 26-18 in the third and the subs did enough in the fourth (20-17) to hang on.

Things should get much more interesting as the Celts travel to Orlando tomorrow night. The top seed in the Eastern Conference is all but lying on LeBron's throne but the C's have some work to do to hold off the Magic for the all-important two seed.

Up just one game with a game in hand over Orlando, the Celts would do themselves a big favor by grabbing the road win.