Also: Rajon Rondo on pace to beat his own assist record
Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo drives against Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague.Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo is really establishing himself as elite this season. Just last month, Rondo broke Bob Cousy's team record of 210 assists in a calendar month. A record that stood for 56 years.
Rondo dished out 219 assists in March. He’s on pace for 210 with five games remaining in April, but add in a playoff game or two and Rondo breaks his own milestone just a month later.
As ESPN Boston points out, though, Rondo could get some rest in the final games of the season, affecting his chances of breaking the record again.
Do you think it really matters to Rondo, though? I mean he already beat the 56-year-old record. I don’t think he’ll be completely devastated if his own record remains intact.
One thing is certain: With his assist-happy play in recent weeks, Rondo will finish as the league's assist leader for the first time in his career. Rondo is averaging 11.6 helpers per game (Phoenix's Steve Nash is second at 10.9 per game).
Best second round match up for the C’s?
NESN.com Celtics beat writer Ben Watanabe was answering questions from Celtics fans live via the NESN Twitter account today and he had a lot to say about the potential playoff match ups.
When asked if the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat would be a better second round opponent for the Celtics, Watanabe tweeted:
Interesting question. Would be Heat, but Rose's groin/right foot could make Bulls vulnerable. #NESNLive
He also added that while the Celtics could beat both the Heat and the Bulls (because anything is possible as KG would say), it’s not likely that they’ll do that, then have enough left for the finals.
And that’s certainly a valid argument, but we can’t count the Celtics out just yet either. If they can take down the Bulls and the Heat en route to the NBA Finals, maybe they’ll be able to dig deep enough to win the title too.
Let's not forget though, that the Celtics have a first round match up too... ::enter Orlando or Atlanta::
I think we should worry about that series first.
Ray Ray back in action
Ray Allen will be back in action Tuesday night as the Celtics take on the New York Knicks.
Allen has had nagging soreness in his ankle for the better part of a month, costing him to miss 10 of the Celtics' last 14 games.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will also play after being given a much needed rest in Sunday’s win over Charlotte.