2012 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1: Boston Celtics 92, Philadelphia 76ers 91

The Eastern Conference semifinals kicked off Saturday night as the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers faced off in Boston. The Philadelphia 76ers lead for most of the night and had a lead as big as thirteen points during Game 1. The Boston Celtics were able to claw themselves back to win by one point in the end.

The four main scorers for Boston Celtics all came up big in Game 1. Rajon Rondo (13 points), Paul Pierce (14 points), Ray Allen (12 points), and Kevin Garnett (29 points) all finished within double-digit points for the game. Kevin Garnett came up huge in the fourth quarter and finished a key “And One” situation to put the Boston Celtics up by two points. Kevin Garnett also had a great day on the defensive glass with eleven total rebounds (all defensively).

Rajon Rondo had a nice game as well with 17 assists, 13 points, and 12 rebounds. Rondo earned his eighth career playoff triple-double after his performance in tonight’s Game 1. After the game, Rondo was asked how the Boston Celtics won the game and his answer was simple. His answer was defense. Defensively, the Boston Celtics held the Philadelphia 76ers’ top two playoffs scorers to a combined 17 points. Jrue Holiday went 3-for-13 from the field with 8 points and Lou Williams went 4-for-11 with 9 points.

Game 2 will be Monday in Boston before the series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 and Game 4.

Andre Iguodala had 19 points in Game 1 and Evan Turner had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

For more 2012 NBA Playoffs coverage, check out my podcast The Onside Kick. The Onside Kick covers all the biggest stories in the NBA, NCAA Basketball, NFL, NCAA Football, and MLB.

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