Rajon Rondo has triple-double as Celtics blow out Knicks, take 3-0 lead

Rondo's jersey hanging with pride in the Wildcat Lodge.

NEW YORK -- No fantastic finish needed for the Boston Celtics this time.


They simply spoiled Madison Square Garden's postseason homecoming party right from the start.

Paul Pierce scored 38 points, Ray Allen added 32, and Rajon Rondo had a Celtics' playoff-record 20 assists as Boston beat the New York Knicks 113-96 on Friday night to take a 3-0 in their first-round playoff series.
Rondo had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who pulled out two close games in Boston but never trailed in this one, dominating the first playoff game at Madison Square Garden in seven years. They will go for the sweep Sunday afternoon, and no NBA team has ever lost a series after winning the first three games.


Boston coach Doc Rivers said he rarely talks to his team about the crowd environment, but the former Knicks player made an exception Friday knowing the stage.

"My main concern is this was not entertainment coming in here today. This was a competition and I thought we came with that mentality," Rivers said.



http://scores.espn.go.com/newyork/nba/recap?gameId=310422018