NBA: Austin Rivers' Hornets beats father's Celtics

January 17, 2013 11:49am


In an NBA father versus son clash, rookie Austin River's New Orleans Hornets beat the Boston Celtics, coached by his dad Doc Rivers, 90-78, Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time) in Boston.

The win improved the Hornets' (13-26) 2013 fortunes to 6-3 in January, while the Celtics (20-18) have now lost two in a row following a six-game win streak.

The Celtics seemed on their way to a rout, building a 21-10 lead with 3:06 left to play in the first quarter, but the Hornets struck back and overtook them in the second, on a slam dunk by Jason Smith, 33-32, 6:20 left in the first half.

A 15-4 run by the Hornets kicked off the third period, making it 59-47 in favor of the visiting team, but the Celtics made it a four-point affair with 6:22 to play in the game, on a basket by rookie Jared Sullinger, 75-71.

Undaunted, the Hornets then responded with 12 unanswered points to seal the win, making it 87-71 with 2:20 to go. A three-pointer by Leandro Barbosa got them within 11, a minute left, but Rivers fittingly put the game away with a free throw for the final tally.

Rivers had eight points and an assist off the bench, while Al-Farouq Aminu led the scoring brigade for New Orleans with 18 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Robin Lopez added 17 markers and six boards, while Greivis Vasquez added a double-double of 15 points and 11 dimes.

Kevin Garnett had 15 points to pace Boston, while Paul Pierce added 12 markers, 10 rebounds and four assists.

The Hornets were simply the more aggressive team, getting to the line 31 times and converting on 26 charities, compared to the Celtics making a mere 6-of-16 from the stripe. They also out-rebounded the Celtics 48-33. - AMD, GMA News