Celtics Out Last Cavaliers In Battle At The Garden 76-72 Win Game One

The “Big Ticket” Kevin Garnett scored a game high 28 points, and he led the Boston Celtics over the Cleveland Cavaliers in game one of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series 76-72. This was not a pretty game as both teams missed countless scoring opportunities through out the course of the evening. It was a gritty grind it out affair, not a game that will end up as an “Instant Classic” on ESPN Classic. Although LeBron James finished just one rebound, and one assist shy of a triple-double, it was not a good performance. The “Chosen One” shot an ugly 2-18 from the floor, including 0-6 from outside the arc, and turned the ball over 10 times. Ray Allen had a less impressive performance as he went 0-4 from the field, and 0-3 from three point range for a total of, you guessed it 0 points. Paul Pierce was not much better as he shot 2-14 from the floor 0-3 from outside the arc for 4 points.

As I watched this game I got the feeling this was not going to be indicative of the series. This seemed like the opening rounds of a prize fight with both opponents just feeling each other out. Both teams will make adjustments, historically LBJ has always followed one of his lesser games with a jaw dropping performance in his next appearance. There is also no way that Ray Allen will be held scoreless two game in a row or that Pierce will have as many unsuccessful attempts at the basket. Game two will take place Thursday night at the “New Garden“.

Cleveland looked like they needed a road map to find the basket in the first quarter, Boston looked they needed it in the second quarter, and both teams seemed to have a lid on their baskets in the third. Boston jumped out in the first quarter to a 25-15 lead at the end of the period, as the Cavaliers looked like they were shaking off rust. Cleveland turned the tables in the second quarter as they cut the Celtics lead at the half to just four points, 41-37. The third quarter was just down right ugly, resulting in the “Green Team“ holding a razor thin one point lead at the end of the third quarter ahead 53-52. The fourth quarter went back and forth through out the period. Boston looked like they were on the verge of pocketing the game when Daniel Gibson hit a 25 foot trey with 2:17 left to tie the contest at 68-68. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Garnett traded outside shots to tie the game up at 70-70 with 1:16 remaining. Z fouled Celtics guard Sam Cassell who hit both shots at the line to put Boston on top for good with 52 seconds remaining, 72-70.

KG scored 28 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, in the Boston victory. Rajon Rondo scored 15 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, Sam Cassell scored 13 points, 2 rebounds.

Zydrunas Ilgauksas led Cleveland as he recorded a double-double, 22 points, 12 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks. Wally Szczerbiak scored 13 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, LBJ scored 12 points, 9 assists, 9 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block. Game two will take place Thursday in Boston; as the late Al Jolson used to say “Folks, you ain’t seen nothing yet !”