NBA: Boston 96, Cleveland 89

Boston -- Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett combined for 55 points Wednesday and Boston held on down the stretch for a 96-89 playoff victory over Cleveland.

The Celtics took a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series and will try to close out the Cavaliers in Cleveland Friday.

Cleveland took a 14-point lead early in the second quarter, but the Celtics closed to within three at halftime and began to pull away late in the third.

The Cavaliers, however, closed within four during the final minute and Boston needed five free throws from Pierce in the last 15 seconds to protect its lead.

Pierce scored 29 points and Garnett had 17 rebounds to go with his 26 points. Rajon Rondo contributed 20 points and 13 assists.

Cleveland's LeBron James scored 35 points, but only 12 of them came in the second half. Until the Cavaliers' late push, James had managed just four points in the final two quarters.
Cleveland hurt its cause by missing 13 of 41 free throws and 13 of 16 three-point attempts.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.