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BOSTON - The Boston Celtics opened up a 2-0 lead in their National Basketball Association playoff series against Cleveland today while defending champions San Antonio clawed their way back against New Orleans after a 110-99 win.
Boston earned a comfortable 89-73 home win over the Cavaliers, who now badly need victory in Sunday's (NZT) third game in Cleveland if they are to have any hope of halting the Celtics in the best-of-seven series.
Paul Pierce, who scored 19 points, said that all season the team had been looking to be dominant at home.
Boston's Ray Allen, who had not scored in seven quarters, claimed 16 points while Cleveland's LeBron James scored 21.
The San Antonio Spurs could ill afford a third defeat to the Hornets and they had Argentine Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker to thank for the win, both scoring 31 points.
New Orleans held a slight lead at halftime but the Spurs surged forward desperately and the pressure paid off.
The Spurs will look to level the series at 2-2 in San Antonio on Monday.
- REUTERS
