Aside from 4 points courtesy of free throws, all of Rondo’s points at that stage came on a path straight through the paint to the basket. It was an approach Celtics coach Doc Rivers wanted to see from his point guard.

“It was good to see he can do that, that he’s going to do that,’’ Rivers said.

“I think I tried to attack Game 1, just my layups were getting blocked and I didn’t make a couple,’’ Rondo said. “But [last night] I made them, I stayed aggressive, I tried to expose them because I don’t think they did a great job getting back in transition. But they made an adjustment. In the second half I tried to go to my guys, Paul [Pierce], Ray [Allen], and Kevin [Garnett].’’