Celtics gain edge with Game 1 win

James quiet as Boston takes 1-0 series lead

Celtics 76, Cavaliers 72

NBA. Just a few days ago, Kevin Garnett wasn’t clutch, and the Celtics couldn’t close out games. After last night, though, those theories lost a whole lot of substance.

Garnett was the only star who showed up in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semis, and the Celtics benefited with a 76-72 win against the Cavaliers at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Garnett had 28 points and eight rebounds, while Paul Pierce (2-of-14 from the floor for four points), Ray Allen (missed all four shots and went scoreless) and LeBron James (2-of-18 from the floor for 12 points)  all had forgettable evenings.

After the Cavs rallied to take a 70-68 lead, Garnett knocked down a jumper to tie it with 1:17 remaining in the game. He then hit the game-winning shot by spinning past Joe Smith and laying the ball in to give the C’s a 74-72 advantage with 21.4 seconds left.

James missed a lay-up a few seconds later, and James Posey iced the game with a pair of free throws.

Both teams missed opportunities to seize control of the game in the first half. The Celtics missed their first seven shots in the game’s opening four minutes while turning it over twice and losing Pierce to the bench with two quick fouls. But the Cavs only managed to build a 5-0 lead.

The Celtics responded, though, with Rajon Rondo leading the way. They hit their next eight shots, and Rondo scored eight points during a 16-4 run. And James Posey drilled a 3-pointer from the right corner with 0.6 seconds remaining to give the Celtics a 25-15 lead after one.

Garnett connected on a pair early in the third to put the Celtics ahead 45-37, but they got lazy on offense after that. The Cavs responded with a 14-0 run, while the C’s lost their aggression and went without a field goal for 7:42. Finally waking up, the Celtics closed the quarter on an 8-1 run to grab a 53-52 lead.