BOSTON -- On the opening tip of the Celtics' game against the Wizards on Sunday, their first home contest in 16 days, Kevin Garnett sent the ball back to Rajon Rondo. But Rondo wasn't quite ready for the ball; he was too busy tightening his shorts. (Why these guys don't do that before they go onto the court is a mystery to me.)

So the ever-resourceful Rondo lowered his noggin and headed the ball. It bounced a couple of times, he managed to free his hands, and then went out and played one of those bizarre Rondo games that we've come to expect every now and then. He had 4 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 6 turnovers in 34 minutes.

Rajon Rondo had one of his bizarre games, turning down shot after shot and finishing with just 4 points. Mark L. Baer/US Presswire

He wouldn't shoot. He took only five shots, most of them coming after Doc Rivers threatened his per diem. He passed up layups to try and feed someone else for a three-pointer. It almost looked as though he had an assists clause in his contract for this specific game. Or maybe he was determined to out-assist fellow Wildcat John Wall (which he did, 11-9).

"It's just Rondo,'' said Doc Rivers, when asked about his point guard's interesting game. "When we win, I feel good about it."

They did win. Easily. The final score of 88-76, however, doesn't begin to describe the overall weirdness of the evening. It started with Rondo's header and ended with newcomer Ryan Hollins (3 points, 1 rebound) getting a live post-game interview usually reserved for a player who, you know, makes a difference, and saying that Boston fans were the best in the world. This from a California kid, no less (John Muir High in Pasadena and then UCLA).

But this was one of those strange nights that populate the NBA calendar. There's no reasonable explanation. The planets appear to be in proper alignment. It just ... happens.

To wit: How would you feel if you knew at halftime that only two Celtics were in double figures and their names were Avery Bradley and Greg Stiemsma? You'd naturally have the Celtics up by 19, right? They were, 53-34, thanks in part to their work but also to a first quarter by the Wizards that established a season low, even for them. They scored 12 points on 3-of-22 shooting.

Coach Randy Wittman trotted out a starting five of Wall and four refugees from the D-League. Well, maybe three. Jordan Crawford has some offensive punch. Not only did they shoot the aforementioned execrable percentage, they managed to elevate Bradley to the point where the folks in Springfield were ready to call.