Glass mostly full for Celtics

By Monique Walker
Globe Staff

TD BANKNORTH GARDEN -- The Pacers could have used a little extra help grabbing rebounds tonight. The Celtics dominated the boards with a 54-31 advantage. Forty of those were on the defensive end for the Celtics. Everyone seemed to be involved, including point guard Rajon Rondo, whose 13 rebounds (2 offensive, 11 defensive) fell one shy of his career best, achieved last season against San Antonio.

“We didn’t put a body on them,” Pacers coach Jim O’Brien said. “You got to hit people in order to rebound.”

While the Pacers were launching shots that clanged off the rim, someone was there for the Celtics to pull in the rebound.

Kevin Garnett (26 points, 14 rebounds) and Kendrick Perkins (16 points, 10 rebounds) each contributed as the Celtics just missed matching the season-high 52 rebounds they collected against Indiana in the 95-79 loss on Nov. 1.

“Doc said we had to win the rebounding to win the game,” Perkins said. “I thought we rebounded at every position.”

Said Garnett: “Our defense is very solid. I think offensively I know we can be better but that’s just through practice and executing and slowing down. I think we all trust each other on the defensive end. When it comes defensively, when we really lock in and don’t miss our assignment it’s tough to beat us.”