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The Leading Logic In Sports Handicapping |
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By Tony Lee
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
BOSTON (Ticker) -- With no answer for LeBron James and no
rhythm on offense, the Boston Celtics looked dead in the water
early Wednesday night. Someone must have reminded them they
were at home.
Kevin Garnett scored eight of his 26 points in an explosive
third quarter and Rajon Rondo finished with 20 and 13 assists as
the Celtics stayed perfect at home this postseason with a 96-89
victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of the
Eastern Conference semifinals.
Paul Pierce had a team-high 29 points - including eight on free
throws in the final 1:23 - to help Boston grab a 3-2 series lead
and keep alive the playoffs' theme of home-court dominance.
Game Six of the best-of-seven series will be Friday in
Cleveland, where Boston has not won since 2004.
"We've got some work cut out for us as we go out here on this
road and try to close this out, which is the most important
thing for us right now," Pierce said.
The Celtics are 0-5 on the road this postseason but have
survived with dominant play at TD Banknorth Garden. Wednesday
was a prime example as they improved to 7-0 here in the
playoffs, despite some sloppy play down the stretch that allowed
the Cavaliers to claw back.
James looked like he might turn the tables early, breaking out
of a Boston slump that has lingered since the regular season and
reached a head in Games One and Two here last week. He scored
11 points in the first quarter and was up to 23 when a step-back
jumper late in the second quarter put the Cavaliers ahead,
43-29.
The five-time All-Star, who was 8-of-42 from the floor in the
first two games of the series, did not score again until 44
seconds remained in the third. By that time, Garnett and Rondo
had taken over.
"The second quarter - we had a lot more energy," said Garnett,
who led all players with 16 rebounds. "Offensively, Rondo hit
some big shots, got us going, got us in the flow, and we carried
it over to the third quarter."
Rondo, who had made two 3-pointers in a game just once in his
career, buried two in a span of 46 seconds to spark a 14-3 run
that closed the first half and pulled Boston within 46-43.
Rondo's steal and layup just over a minute into the second half
gave the Celtics their first lead of the game, and Pierce's
3-pointer midway through the third snapped a 55-55 tie and put
the hosts on top to stay.
The shot was part of a 23-10 burst, which Rondo capped with a
runner for a 12-point bulge.
"He was the X-factor tonight," James said. "Rondo played an
excellent game. Without Rondo tonight, it would've been a much
tighter game. Rondo was the player of the game tonight."
Rondo had just one turnover which came with 5:06 left in the
first quarter.
"Rondo was fantastic tonight," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "I
thought spreading the floor for him at the start of the third
quarter was good for him. ... He just made great, great
decisions for us tonight."
After James' final basket of the first half put the Cavaliers up
by 14, Boston outscored Cleveland, 42-16, over a span of
15-plus minutes.
"They came out and turned up their aggression in the third
quarter, and that was the difference in the ballgame," said
Cavaliers coach Mike Brown. "That set the tone for the Celtics,
it set the tone for the crowd and it was a rough go from
there."
Rondo netted another runner for an 88-77 advantage with just
3:38 left. But Cleveland took advantage of two bad turnovers by
Boston late and was within four points in the final minute.
Garnett missed a jumper on the Celtics' next possession, but Ray
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