Celtics dominate Cavaliers to take 2-0 series lead

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AFP) — Paul Pierce scored 19 points and Boston's defense was again dominant as the Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 89-73 in the National Basketball Association playoffs.

Thursday's victory gave the Celtics a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final series.

"It was a total team effort," Pierce said. "We kept the turnovers down, we rebounded the ball, we made the extra pass and then we got the job done defensively. That's true Celtic basketball right there."

Ray Allen broke out of his slump with 16 points and Kevin Garnett chipped in 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Celtics took a commanding lead before the series shifts to Cleveland for game three on Saturday.

After notching the NBA's best road record in...