Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett gestures to the crowd just before tip-off of Game One of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Boston on Tuesday night. Boston won 76-72. - AP

BOSTON (AP):

LEBRON JAMES couldn't make a basket down the stretch - or at virtually any other time - and the Boston Celtics eked out a 76-72 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night in the opener of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Kevin Garnett scored 28 points to make up for an off night for the rest of Boston's Big Three.

James was held to 12 points on 2-for-18 shooting. He missed three drives and a three-pointer in the final minute.

Game Two is tonight in Boston.

James scored Cleveland's first basket and then missed his next 10 shots before driving for a layup that cut Boston's lead to 66-65 with 5:34 left.

Missed last six shots

He then missed his last six shots, including a potential game-tying finger roll that bounced off the inside of the rim with 8.5 seconds left.

James scored just two points in the second half while finishing with nine rebounds, nine assists and 10 turnovers.

Rajon Rondo scored all 15 of his points in the first half, and Kendrick Perkins grabbed 12 rebounds for the Celtics.

Charging fouls

Paul Pierce drew two charging fouls while guarding James but scored just four points on 2-for-14 shooting, and Ray Allen (0-for-4) didn't score.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 31 per cent and couldn't make a basket at the end of the game.

The Celtics won an NBA-best 66 games in the regular season, and someone will have to beat them at home to derail their hopes of a league-record 17th championship.

The Cavaliers managed to stay closed by hitting 22 free throws (to Boston's 14), and by taking advantage of 21 Celtics turnovers.