It wasn’t the most artistic of triple-doubles.
But Rajon Rondo won’t trade the final results of Boston’s grinding 88-86 overtime victory over Atlanta Wednesday night.
Rondo notched his sixth triple-double of the season with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 20 assists to match the NBA high for the season.
The Celtics’ victory came only a day after an emotional victory at Miami. The residue of that game could be seen in some of the Celtics’ struggles.
”I gotta tell you guys: that was the worst game we’ve ever won,” Boston coach Doc Rivers told the Associated Press. ”I mean we didn’t play well. We just kept hanging in there. You could see the fatigue.”
One of the most notable was Rondo, despite the triple-double. The Boston point guard clanked through a miserable 3-for-16 shooting night with six turnovers.
But he had enough at the end to fill the stat sheet and notch his 19th consecutive double-figure game in assists.
”We kept fighting regardless of the other stuff out there. We stuck together, followed through and got the win,” said Rondo about his performance. It earned him a place as a stud and a dud on the same night.
STUDS
Boston G Rajon Rondo: Notched his sixth triple-double of the season, going for 10 points, 10 rebounds and 20 assists to match the NBA high for the season. Rondo was plus-6 in the Celtics victory over Atlanta.
Los Angeles Lakers C Andrew Bynum: Went for 16 points, an NBA season-high 30 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and was plus-5 in the Lakers’ victory at the Spurs.
Memphis G Rudy Gay: Notched a season-best 32 points, seven rebounds, two steals and was a game-best plus-23 in the Grizzlies’ victory over Phoenix.
Los Angeles Clippers G Chris Paul: Produced 31 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and was plus-4 in the Clippers’ triumph at Oklahoma City.
Milwaukee G Monta Ellis: Erupted for 35 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and four steals in the Bucks’ loss at New York.
DUDS
Boston G Rajon Rondo: Despite the triple-double, Rondo struggled through a miserable 3-for-16 shooting night with six turnovers in the Celtics overtime victory over Atlanta.
Phoenix G Steve Nash: Went 4 of 10 from the field, had an NBA nightly high of seven turnovers and was a game-worst minus-21 in the Suns’ loss to Memphis.
San Antonio G Tony Parker: Clanked through a 2-for-12 shooting night with only four points and was a game-worst minus-16 in the Spurs’ loss to the Lakers.
Sacramento C DeMarcus Cousins: Went 3-for-12 from the field with four turnovers and was minus-8 in the Kings’ loss at New Orleans.
Oklahoma City G Russell Westbrook: Struggled through a 3-for-14 shooting night with four turnovers in the Thunder’s loss to the Clippers.