The Celtics battled hard but came up short in their first regular season visit to the Barclays Center. Without Rondo, the Celtics started Leandro Barbosa, who played very well, scoring 17 points to go with 2 assists and 2 rebounds. At one point he was put in a choke hold by Keith Bogans that was clearly a flagrant foul, but the refs ruled it just a regular foul.
Paul Pierce was the team's high scorer with 22 points along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. He hit a couple of clutch 3 pointers, but missed 2 key free throws down the stretch. He didn't get much respect from the refs in this game. He finished with 5 fouls but there were several fouls against him that weren't called. Jason Terry helped fill the void left by Rondo's absence with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. 

KG scored 14 points and pulled down 7 rebounds. Brandon Bass scored 8 points to go with 5 rebounds. Courtney Lee had his best game as a Celtic with 13 points and 9 rebounds. He was aggressive on the boards, which was something the Celtics desperately needed as they were out-rebounded 47-44 and 18-12 on the offensive end. Lee also won his very first Tommy Award.

Brooklyn Nets' Jerry Stackhouse (42) drives the ball past Boston Celtics' Courtney Lee (11) in the first half of a basketballl game on Thursday, Nov., 15, 2012, at Barclays Center in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Jeff Green had 5 points and 6 rebounds. He played well but wasn't quite as aggressive as he was against the Jazz. Jason Collins got his first playing time of the season and finished with 2 points 1 rebound in just over 8 minutes.  Jared Sullinger played 7 minutes and had just 2 fouls to show for it.   Chris Wilcox once again played very well and finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks.

Rondo's absence was felt in the ball movement.  As a team, they had just 17 assists.   The Celtics committed just 13 turnovers, which was good, but part of that was because they didn't pass the ball as much.  The Celtics outscored the Nets on the fast break 19-5.

  Brooklyn was the more physical team and the Celtics were pushed around especially on the boards.  I'm wondering where Darko is.  He could bring some physicality and rebounding to the team.  Hopefully Doc will play him one of these days.  I think he can make a difference.   I'm getting a bit tired of small ball.  Doc needs to put a rebounder in there.  Free Darko, Doc!!! 

The Celtics have Friday off and then will play the Raptors at home on Saturday and the Pistons on the road on Sunday.   Hopefully they will have Rondo back by then.  

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