Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett lead a remarkable comeback as Boston Celtics edge past Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Rajon Rondo scored yet another triple double and Kevin Garnett posted a game high 29 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1st game of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
Rondo finished with 13 points, 17 assists and 12 rebounds as the Celtics held on for a 92-91 victory. It was the 8th career post season triple double for Rondo who stepped up on a night when Paul Pierce was finding it
difficult to get into rhythm.
Andre Iguodala had 19 points and 6 assists for the Sixers, and was 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. However, his effort was not good enough to lead his team to an eventual victory as the night belonged to Rondo.
Philadelphia opened the game with a 7-0 run and held on to a comfortable lead throughout the first period, ending it leading 28-18. A putback layup by Iguodala followed by a jump shot by Evan Turner put the Sixers up 45-32 with
3:44 left in the 1st half. The Celtics, however, scored the last 6 points of the half to cut into the Sixers lead and trail 42-47 at halftime. The Sixers had a 25-17 advantage over the Celtics in rebounds in the first half which provided them with
second shot opportunities and kept the Celtics at bay.
Boston opened the 2nd half with 6 straight points to take the lead for the first time in the game at 48-47. After some back and forth action, a three pointer by Louis Williams gave the Sixers a 69-61 lead again with
only 1:25 left in the 3rd period, which finished at 71-67.
The Sixers then opened the final period with 6 straight points to extend their lead back to 10. It was then that Rondo took control of the game, scoring 6 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to go with 5 assists in the final quarter
alone.
He led the Celtics to a 16-5 run that had them leading 83-82 with 3:47 left in the game. Pierce had a quiet night but his step back jump shot put the exclamation mark and gave Boston a 90-84 lead with over a minute left to play.
The Sixers charged back though. With 33 seconds left and the Sixers down 89-92, Pierce missed a jump shot which gave Jrue Holiday an opportunity to tie the game. Rondo made a good move at that point and fouled Holiday at the baseline as his team was struggling
to get back on defense.
That sent Holiday to the foul line for two shots which he made but the Celtics held on to win 92-91.
Kevin Garnett had a season high 29 points and 11 rebounds in the victory. He is finding excellent form when it matters most. He was 12-20 from the field on Saturday night. Paul Pierce struggled as he scored 14 points from 3 of
11 shooting. Ray Allen had 12 points off the bench after being a game time decision with an ankle injury. He struggled from beyond the arc, going 2 of 7 for the night.
"I feel we have better basketball in us. I'm sure as the series goes on we will have no other choice but to get better. Whatever is asked of me is what I am going to do” said Garnett
Spencer Hawes had 15 points and 8 rebounds for the Sixers while Evan Turner had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the night.
The Sixers bench combined for 29 points. Jrue Holiday had a dismal shooting night, going 3 of 13 from the field including 0 of 4 from the distance. He ended with 8 points for the night.
Philadelphia lost the battle for rebounds in the 2nd half, with Boston outscoring them 28-16 on the boards. They managed 41 rebounds for the night against 45 for Boston. The Celtics also outscored them 28-19 in assists.
The Celtics were an almost perfect 18-for-19 from the foul line for the night.
Game 2 will be played in Boston on Monday.
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