Now that Rajon Rondo's pockets will be fatter thanks to a
new multi-year contract, he can focus on leading the Boston Celtics to a 5-0
start tonight against the Atlantic Division-rival Philadelphia 76ers at the
Wachovia Center.
The Boston Herald is reporting the point guard's deal is for five years,
starting with the 2010-11 season, and is worth about $55 million. Rondo is
averaging 6.5 points and 11.8 assists per game this season for Boston, which
has won its first four games of the season, including Sunday's 97-87 victory
over the New Orleans Hornets in the finale of a three-game homestand at TD
Garden. Paul Pierce scored 27 points to help keep the Celtics unbeaten, while
Ray Allen finished with 17 points in a winning effort.
Kevin Garnett contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and both
Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace netted 12 points for Boston, which is 4-0
for the first time since opening the 2007-08 NBA championship season with
eight consecutive victories.
"Give them credit, they made a lot of shots down the stretch," Celtics coach
Doc Rivers said of the Hornets. "I told our guys, so far this year, we've done
a great job of each game building and improving. This was not one of those
nights."
The Celtics will also visit Minnesota on the brief road trip.
Philadelphia has won back-to-back games since opening the season with a loss
at Orlando. It grinded out a 141-127 overtime victory against the New York
Knicks on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, as Andre Iguodala recorded 32
points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead the way. Lou Williams also
filled the stat sheet for the 76ers, posting 27 points, 10 rebounds and seven
assists.
Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand registered 25 and 16 points, respectively, for
Philadelphia, which scored the final 17 points of the extra period to seal the
win in the Big Apple. Marreese Speights came off the bench and ended with 20
points and 10 rebounds in the win.
"Both teams really gave it all, both teams gutted it out," Sixers head coach
Eddie Jordan said. "Both teams were determined and we just got loose [in the
overtime]...We just continued to attack and attack."
Boston won all four meetings with Philadelphia a year ago and is 10-4 over the
previous 14 matchups between the clubs. The Celtics are unbeaten in their past
four trips to the City of Brotherly Love.
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