Rajon Rondo ran rampant in his return to Boston, scoring a season-high 29 points on Friday to help Dallas to a 119-101 victory over his former NBA team.
Traded from the Celtics just a fortnight earlier, Rondo received a warm welcome from fans in Boston, where he played a key role in the Celtics’ 2008 title run.
The night was an emotional rollercoaster for the 28-year-old point guard, whose 15 first-quarter points included three three-pointers and perfect six-for-six shooting as he helped the Mavericks take a 31-17 lead.
Photo: EPA
He then was visibly moved when a video tribute to his eight-plus seasons in Boston prompted a standing ovation from the crowd between the first and second periods.
However, on the floor nothing distracted him from the task at hand as he drained another three-pointer in a 7-3 Dallas scoring run to start the second frame.
The Mavericks led 59-46 at halftime and 92-64 after three quarters.
A 23-5 scoring run saw Boston pull within 97-87 midway through the fourth, but they did not get the deficit below double digits the rest of the way.
Monta Ellis scored 22 points and Tyson Chandler grabbed 16 rebounds for Dallas, who have won four straight.
They are now 5-2 since acquiring Rondo, who was dealt to the Mavericks in a four-player trade on Dec. 18.
Rondo was the center of attention from the moment he arrived in Boston.
At Friday morning’s shootaround he said it was a bit strange to be back as a visitor.
“It’s obviously different being on this side, but I left here on great terms,” Rondo said. “It’ll be an exciting night.”
Rondo, who was the last of the core group of players who led Boston to the 2008 crown after the departures of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, also expressed his gratitude that the rebuilding Celtics traded him to a team who he can help contend for a title.
“They put me in a situation where I can still excel and win a championship with this caliber team,” Rondo said. “I’m grateful for that situation.”
In other games on Friday, it was:
‧ Warriors 126, Raptors 105
‧ Thunder 109, Wizards 102
‧ Hawks 98, Jazz 92
‧ Pelicans 111, Rockets 83
‧ Grizzlies 109, Lakers 106
‧ Cavaliers 91, Hornets 87
‧ Nets 100, Magic 98
‧ Suns 112, 76ers 96
‧ Pistons 97, Knicks 81
‧ Pacers 94, Bucks 91
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from
The former interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani on Thursday was sentenced to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud after he stole nearly US$17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player’s bank account. Ippei Mizuhara, who was supposed to bridge the gap between the Japanese athlete and his English-speaking teammates and fans, was sentenced in federal court in Santa Ana to four years and nine months after pleading guilty last year. He was ordered to pay US$18 million in restitution, with nearly US$17 million going to Ohtani and the remainder to the US Internal Revenue Service. He was
The 40-year-old LeBron James on Thursday became the oldest player to score 40 points in an NBA game, putting up a season-high 42 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors. James passed the record held by Michael Jordan, his idol and the only other NBA player to score 40 after his 40th birthday. “I’m old, that’s my take,” James said when asked about his latest achievement. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep, that’s what I think.” Jordan did it for the Washington Wizards just three days after turning 40 in February 2003. James is 38
SPEEDSKATER: Her bronze medal ended Taiwan’s run at the Asian Winter Games without a medal since the nation first participated in the second iteration in 1990 Speedskater Chen Ying-chu yesterday made history as the first athlete representing Taiwan to secure a medal at the Asian Winter Games. Competing at the HIC Speedskating Oval in Harbin, China, Chen clocked 10.510 seconds in the women’s 100m event, finishing third behind South Koreans Lee Na-hyum and Kim Min-sun, who posted times of 10.501 and 10.505 seconds respectively. Her bronze medal ended Taiwan’s drought at the Asian Winter Games since the nation first participated in the second iteration in 1990. This year’s Games mark Chen’s debut at the event. Previously excelling in roller speedskating, she won six medals at world championships before transitioning
RSS