The ”Big Three” leading Boston to its latest win was an unlikely bunch.
Jeff Green, Jason Terry and rookie Jared Sullinger carried the Celtics through a game of streaks, each outscoring their starting teammates as Boston recovered from a dreadful third quarter and held off the slumping Phoenix Suns 87-79 on Wednesday night.
Green had 14 points, Terry scored 13 and Sullinger finished with 12 points and pulled down a career-best 16 rebounds as Boston’s reserves outscored their Phoenix counterparts 47-16.
”They won the game for us basically. The bench played well. The starters didn’t play good at all tonight,” said Rajon Rondo, who had eight points and eight assists.
It was an emotional game for Green, who was playing exactly one year after having surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm.
”I can’t put it into words. I mean, it’s a wonderful day,” said Green, who missed all of last season with the heart condition. ”I reflect a lot on what I’ve been through and it’s just a blessing and I’m glad I’m here.”
Kevin Garnett was the only Boston starter to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points and five rebounds, and Paul Pierce had seven points and seven rebounds…
Marcin Gortat had 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Jared Dudley scored 14 while pulling down 10 boards for the Suns, who lost their fourth straight and fell to 2-16 on the road. Luis Scola scored 16 and Goran Dragic finished with 10 points for Phoenix, which gave the Celtics a scare in the third quarter with a 17-0 run…
Boston coach Doc Rivers was called for a technical late in the third period, then Rondo and Phoenix’s P.J. Tucker drew dual technicals early in the fourth.
– Reported by Doug Alden of the Associated Press