See You in June

Rajon Rondo recored his second triple-double of the season
 last night in Boston's 105-103 victory over the Spurs. 

For several days leading up to tip-off, last night's matchup between the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs had been touted as a possible Finals preview in the national media. Somewhat surprisingly, shows like PTI and Around the Horn sideswiped the usually favored Lakers and Heat and told us that this scenario was more likely to come to fruition in early June. After all, coming into last night's game the Spurs (29-5) and Celtics (26-7) owned the two best records in the NBA.

And still, despite all the hype and media attention, last night's matchup between conference powerhouses did not disappoint. Instead, it only strengthened the notion that these two teams are destined to meet up on the biggest stage at season's end. 

In a physical, back and forth affair between two fundamentally sound, defensively minded, exquisitely coached basketball clubs, the Celtics got the last laugh. Despite missing Kevin Garnett once again, Boston held on to defeat San Antonio 105-103 at the TD Garden. Proving to Celtics fans that he's completely recovered from a severe ankle sprain that recently saw him miss seven games, point guard Rajon Rondo turned in his best performance of the season, recording his second triple double of the season.

Take a second to fully digest these mind-blowing numbers from Rondo last night: 12 points, 10 rebounds, 22 assists, 6 steals and a block in 43.5 minutes. 

Talk about filling a stat sheet. 

Beyond Rondo, Ray Allen scored a game-high 31 points while also dishing out six assists. He was lights out from the floor as well, going an absurd 13-16 on two-point field goals. And, while the captain Paul Pierce chipped in with another consistent performance (18 points, 7 boards and an emphatic, highlight reel dunk at the end of the third quarter), the real story was his passing another Celtics legend in the Boston record books. By playing last night, Pierce pushed his total career games played for the Celtics to 918, passing Bob Cousy for fifth all-time. He now trails only Bill Russell, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish and John Havlicek, who ranks first all-time with 1270.

Still, the win wasn't easy for Boston, even though a Ray Allen steal and layup put the Celtics up by nine at 105-96 with just 1:06 left on the clock.

Then the Spurs almost executed a remarkable comeback. After a Manu Ginobli three pointer, Tony Parker stole an inbound pass on a questionable call and converted a layup to make it 105-101 with 40 seconds remaining. Next, Manu Ginobili stole a cross-court pass and sprung Richard Jefferson for a breakaway. Jefferson got fouled but made both his shots at the charity stripe to make it 105-103.

With the ball and a shot to win it for the Spurs with time winding down, Ginobili went for the dagger three pointer but Pierce blocked the shot to earn the win for the Celtics. Subsequently, by catching the blocked shot of Ginobili, Rondo was credited his 10th rebound, completing his triple double. With six steals, he came up just four steals shy of the unheard of quadruple double.  

On the injury front, the Celtics got more encouraging news when Kevin Garnett hit the practice floor to shoot around before the game. He is currently on schedule to return in a week or so from his strained left calf.

And, as if Rondo needed any more accolades, early All-Star voting puts him starting at the point guard position for the Eastern Conference. Playing alongside of Rondo would be LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard and teammate Kevin Garnett. 

But who has time to salivate over the All-Star game in February? After last night's hard fought victory over San Antonio, I'm more excited about meeting up with the Spurs again in June.