Celtics-Spurs review: Parker-led Spurs too much for C's

BOSTONAs far as individual matchups go, the Rajon Rondo-Tony Parker duel was as good as you'll find.
Especially in the fourth quarter when it was clear that both players were intent on putting their imprint on the game.
The Spurs led by as many as 16 points, but a 3-point play by Rondo cut San Antonio's lead to 96-87. Moments later, Parker scored on a driving lay-up to push the Spurs lead back to double digits.
And then Rondo countered with a string of clutch shots which included a driving lay-up that cut San Antonio's lead to just six points with 3:16 to play.
It was that kind of game down the stretch with neither all-star letting up in their efforts to lead their respective teams to victory.
But in the end, the Parker-led Spurs were too much for the Celtics to handle as San Antonio pulled away for a 112-100 win.
Several players for the Spurs stood out, but few could argue that Parker's dribble penetration was among the keys to the Spurs victory. And Rondo's floor game, especially in rallying Boston to within a couple possessions in the fourth, was important as well.
"They're both terrific, and they are so different in how they play," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers.
And they proved it on Wednesday with Rondo finishing with 22 points and 15 assists, while Parker had a solid game with 26 points and six assists.
Their play was certainly a factor in Wednesday's outcome. Here are a few other keys identified prior to the game, and how they actually played out.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: This is yet another game in which the Celtics will have a decent shot at winning or at the very least, competing on the boards. Like the C's, the Spurs are among the NBA's worst rebounding clubs in part because they shoot a relatively high percentage.
WHAT WE SAW: Rebounding was about as lopsided as we've seen with the Celtics this season. San Antonio absolutely manhandled the Celtics on the boards, 41-25. The Spurs were especially impressive in converting offensive rebounds into points, evident by them having a 17-2 advantage in that category.
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Kevin Garnett vs. Tim Duncan: While this matchup doesn't have the same kind of sizzle as it did a few years back, there's no mistaking the impact these two future Hall of Famers still have on their respective teams.
WHAT WE SAW: It was great seeing these two longtime combatants go at it. But this matchup was clearly won by Duncan, who had a quiet, but highly effective 20-point, 15-rebound game. Garnett had a decent night shooting the ball (7-for-14, 14 points), but they desperately needed him to be a bigger factor on the boards. He grabbed just three rebounds for the C's.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Brandon Bass is too good a shooter to continue to miss so many shots that are clearly in his comfort zone. In Boston's last three games, he is 10-for-29 shooting. Do not be surprised if the C's try to get him going early tonight.
WHAT WE SAW: Bass actually had one of the better games offensively for the Celtics with 16 points and six rebounds. But a number of the defensive breakdowns by Bass among others, proved to be too much for the Celtics to emerge victorious.
STAT TO TRACK: Boston's defense will be put to the test down the stretch against a San Antonio squad that's averaging a league-best 27.6 points in the fourth quarter. Boston has shown that it too has some fourth quarter offensive pop, averaging 25.4 points which is fifth among teams in the fourth. Unfortunately, the Celtics defensively have given up an average of 25.4 points in the fourth quarter which ranks 24th in the league compared to a San Antonio defense that's giving up 23.8 points in the fourth which ranks 18th in the league.
WHAT WE SAW: It was a pretty average fourth quarter for both teams, which did not bode well for the Celtics as they trailed after each of the previous three quarters. In the fourth, the Celtics scored 26 points while the Spurs countered with 30.