Bulls had no answer for Rondo
Guard submits triple-double
Rajon Rondo had all the questions before the Celtics' 118-115 win over the Chicago Bulls last night. But once the game started, he provided most of the answers on the way to a 19-point, 12-rebound, 16-assist performance.
"He was asking all kinds of questions about what he needed to do," coach Doc Rivers said. " 'What do you need me to do, what can I do defensively, what should I do offensively, am I dribbling too much, am I not getting the ball to Ray and Paul, are we not posting enough?'
"I mean, they were terrific questions and he's a student of the game and I love when he does that. And when he left, I got to thinking, 'That's too many questions.'
"And so when I walked to the locker room I told Rondo that he had the keys to the team - and just go play. And stop asking me questions."
Rondo achieved a triple-double by the opening minutes of the third quarter - by then he had 15 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, his line including zero personal fouls and turnovers.
But with the Celtics holding a 48-42 lead with 5:28 left in the first half, Rondo drove in transition and was blocked by Derrick Rose, landing on his right ankle. Rondo remained down as the entire Celtic coaching staff and team - including Kevin Garnett and Brian Scalabrine - gathered under the basket. Rondo then walked to the locker room with Dr. Brian McKeon and trainer Ed Lacerte.
"His ankle's huge [i.e. swollen]," Rivers said. "And he sucks it up and plays the way he plays. That was such a gritty game by him."
As for the Q&A session, Rivers said, "There was no way I could have played with all those freaking questions in my head. And I screwed it up by giving him answers. So, I just thought, we've got to free his mind and tell him 'just go and play basketball.' "
"He came in and said hi, and we told him to go home and get off his feet," Rivers said. "But it was great to see him, it really was."
Asked if Ainge has been barred from watching Game 2 (doctors ordered his television turned off at Massachusetts General Hospital for Game 1 Saturday), Rivers said, "He probably is. I guarantee you, if he's at home, there's no one that's going to be able to turn off his TV."
Rivers said he was inspired and reassured by Ainge's presence.
"It was just nice for me and all the guys to see him look normal," said Rivers.
Said Rondo, "It's the same old Danny. He was in a good mood. He was giving everybody hugs. He was fine."
Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro is close with Ainge and Rivers, a relationship dating to Phoenix and San Antonio.
"I talked to Danny and then I talked to Doc to make sure he was all right," said Del Negro, who grew up a Celtics fan in Springfield.
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com. 
