Celtics find touch down stretch

BOSTON -- For the first time in the playoffs this season, the Boston Celtics trailed at TD Banknorth Garden in the second half.

The Cleveland Cavaliers took a two-point lead with 90 seconds left.

How did the Celtics respond? Like the team with the best regular-season record in the NBA.

Down the stretch, Boston turned to forward Kevin Garnett and guard Sam Cassell. They scored 18 of Boston's final 20 points as the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series Tuesday at TD Banknorth Garden.

Game 2 is Thursday in Boston (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Boston won without almost no scoring from two-thirds of its Big Three -- Ray Allen and Paul Pierce combined for four points on 2-for-18 shooting, both baskets by Pierce. But Pierce made up for his lack of scoring with outstanding defense against James. ...