BOSTON ? Terry Rozier again led the way for the Celtics with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to win Game 1, 117-101, on Monday night at the TD Garden to start the Eastern Conference playoffs 2nd round series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
With fatigue a major concern after nailing Game 7 (1st round) against Milwaukee in Saturday, the Celtics surprisingly responded with tremendous energy and superb perimeter shooting as veteran forward and All-Star Al Horford scored 26 points while Jayson Tatum added 28. Horford was 10-for-12 from the field and also made a couple threes while Marcus Morris chipped in 11.
Boston built a 56-45 halftime lead but the 76ers rallied briefly in the 3rd period with a Joel Embiid driving finger roll to make it 64-58. In a two-minute span, however, Horford scored on an alley oop dunk, a three-pointer and two free throws for a 81-67 lead which Philadelphia unable to repel until the final quarter.
All-Star Embiid finished with 31 points for the 76ers, rookie Ben Simmons added 18 and long-distance specialist JJ Redick contributed 20.
Boston went 41-for-85 for a 48.2% clip while Philadelphia had 35-for-83 for 42.2% field goal conversion.
The series will continue on Thursday, May 3, for Game 2 at the TD Garden under the NBA playoffs? 2-2-1-1-1 format.
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