This was no normal game.
Even by playoff standards, the events of the previous day surrounding Isaiah Thomas' sister permeated the atmosphere of the game from the moment the players took the floor behind Thomas, the crowd roaring deafeningly. Even the first bucket, a jumper from the top of the paint by Jimmy Butler, seemed uninspired and half-hearted. The crowd cheered Thomas' first foul shots like he just sank a dagger. Amir flattening Rajon Rondo practically had the TD Garden ready to string their former hero up. Fouling Isaiah a few moments later from behind the foul line, Rajon nearly set up a four-point play.