The Boston Celtics showed no let down from their Game 7 against Cleveland to dispatch the Pistons 88-79 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.Kevin Garnett had a huge game with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks while also hounding Rasheed Wallace all game, forcing Sheed into 3-12 shooting and only 11 points. Paul Pierce picked up where he left off in Game 7 with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, but it was Garnett who was the star this game after being seemingly invisible for most of the Cleveland series.
Chauncey Billups showed lingering effect of his hamstring injury and the fact that he hasn't played in 2 weeks. Billups had 9 points and only 2 assist and went almost 35 minutes between baskets. Rajon Rando easily out played the still injured Billups, in what was a match up that many "experts" had said would be a heavy advantage to the Pistons with Billups experience.
Now for the Clips of the Night
One bright spot for the Pistons was Antonio McDyess who had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Tayshaun Prince lead the Pistons with 16 points but the Pistons as a team shot only 28-66 (42.4%) while the Celtics shot a blistering 36-69 (52.2%). Game 2 is in Boston on Thursday night where the Pistons will hope to not come out as rusty or flat.
Boston 88, Detroit 79
Now for the Clips of the Night. We hadn't heard from Kige Ramsey in a while, well here is Kige's picks for the Western and Eastern Conference Finals:
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