For the majority of the first half in Game 4 Sunday night, the Celtics dominated the Heat on offense and defense. Miami did a tremendous job of slowing down the Celtics attack in the second half, but they still couldn’t find enough ways to score. A number of Boston’s defensive stops led to easy transition buckets going the other way, and Rajon Rondo explained to Doris Burke at halftime why he thought that was the case.
“Them complaining to the referees and crying in transition,” Rondo said when asked how Boston was able to exploit Miami’s defense.
After the game, Rondo stood by what he said: “What I said was true. I don’t take back what I said. It’s what it is.” Just after that, it appeared that Burke’s question had irritated Rondo and it almost looked like he said “You trying to get me fined?” before she came back and clarified something with him. Check it out:
Both the Heat and the Celtics have done enough crying to the officials through the first four games to last an entire series. Rondo’s comments were arrogant and will likely motivate the Heat going forward, but Boston fans would much rather see a confident Rondo like the one they saw Sunday night than a disengaged one like the one who showed up to Philadelphia for Game 6 of the previous round. The attitude you saw him display with Burke is the one Rondo carries with him when he’s at his best.
