Robinson Sparks Celtics To 100-75 Rout Of Nets
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Nate Robinson scored 21 points starting in place of an injured Rajon Rondo and led the Boston Celtics to their seventh straight win, 100-75 over the New Jersey Nets on Sunday.
Robinson scored eight points in the first four minutes in place of Rondo, who was a last-minute scratch because of hamstring and foot injuries.
Robinson's 3-pointer with 7:48 left in the first quarter gave Boston an 11-8 lead and the Celtics never trailed from there.
Boston connected on nine of its first 13 attempts from the floor, and got 16 points from reserve Glen Davis. Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen scored 13 points apiece, and Garnett added 14 rebounds.
The Nets got 16 points from Jordan Farmar in their fourth straight loss. Rookie Derrick Favors and Anthony Morrow added 10 points each.
After a closely played first quarter that ended with Boston leading 27-25, the Celtics put the game away with the dominant second quarter, outscoring New Jersey 30-12.
Marquis Daniels spearheaded Boston's 10-2 run to start the second period. He scored on a rebound basket, a power move down low and two free throws, and the Celtics took a 37-27 lead with 6:47 remaining in the half.
The Celtics put the game away with an 11-0 run over a three-minute span to take a 48-29 lead with 3:17 left before intermission.
Davis put a capper on the lopsided first half when he nailed a long off-balance jumper, giving the Celtics the 57-37 lead at the break.
Robinson scored 11 points in the third quarter and Garnett added seven, and the Celtics took an 80-53 lead into the final quarter.
Boston coach Doc Rivers pulled his starters at the beginning of the period, letting his bench finish out the one-sided affair.
The Celtics shot 51 percent from the floor, compared to 37 percent for the Nets, and outrebounded New Jersey, 49-36.
NOTES: It was a homecoming of sorts for two members of the Celtics contingent. Former Nets head coach Lawrence Frank, now a Boston assistant, is a native of Teaneck and Shaquille O'Neal was born in Newark. ... O'Neal left the game after playing 11 minutes in the first half with a sore right calf and did not return. He had three points and four rebounds in his limited action.
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