Los Angeles Clippers head coach, Doc Rivers (right), acknowledges the crowd at the end of the first quarter against his former team, the Boston Celtics, following a video tribute at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday. (AFP)
Doc Rivers received the love and the LA Clippers gave their coach a happy homecoming for his return to Boston.
Jamal Crawford dropped in 11 of his 21 points in the final quarter, including back-to-back triples down the stretch late Wednesday, sending the visiting Clippers to a 96-88 victory over Celtics.
“We wanted to get this one for coach,” Crawford said. “We felt the emotional pull of the game so I can’t imagine what he went through. He was so good here, he’s so good now.”
Rivers coached the Celtics to a 416-305 regular-season record, including two Eastern Conference crowns and the 2008 NBA Championship during his nine years before being traded to the Clippers over the summer for a 2015 first-round draft pick.
Before the game, Rivers was greeted with cheers and shook hands with fans when he walked out for warm-ups. He was given a thunderous standing ovation when his name was announced in pre-game introductions by the appreciative fans at the sold-out TD Garden.
Rivers got teary-eyes and waved to the crowd following the first quarter, after a video tribute was beamed on the giant overhead scoreboard along with a “Thank You Doc!” message.
“It was really nice when I walked out on that [visitors] side and all people lined up,” said Rivers, still red-eyed after the game. “I was basically useless for the first 18 minutes of the game.”
Rivers tipped his hat to the classy and loyal Celtic fans.
“It didn’t surprise me because you have to live her to understand that,” he explained. “That’s just the way they are. They’re an amazing fan base.
“People don’t get Boston. People were born and raised here. They cheer for their teams, they love their athletes. It’s just a best place to be. The best decision I ever made was when I decided to come here 10 years ago.”
Chris Paul tallied 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds while Blake Griffin scored 18 points for the Clippers, who moved to 3-2 on their season-long seven-game road trip.
The Clippers opened up an eight-point fourth quarter cushion that was sliced to 85-83 with under three minutes left. But Crawford splashed in consecutive 3-point daggers in a 23-second span to give Rivers a happy return.
Jeff Green netted 29 points and Jordan Crawford added 20 with nine assists for Boston (10-14), which still sit atop the weak Atlantic Division.
“I’m happy for Doc, I’m happy for the reception he got,” said Celtics coach Brad Stevens, who replaced Rivers. “At the same time I would have liked to have been on the other side of the result.”