NBA: Boston 92, Orlando 88

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NBA: Boston 92, Orlando 88
ORLANDO, Fla., May 16 (UPI) -- Paul Pierce scored 22 points Sunday, powering Boston's 92-88 win over Orlando in the first game of their Eastern Conference finals series.

Pierce, the MVP of the 2008 NBA Finals, flashed his old form, grabbing nine rebounds and dishing off five assists as the Celtics led wire-to wire and weathered an Orlando comeback in the late going to take the lead in the conference finals.

Ray Allen finished with 25 points and hit a pair of free throws with 6.6 seconds left to seal the win.

Kevin Garnett added eight points and pulled down 11 rebounds and Rajon Rondo chipped in with eight points and eight assists to help the Celtics hand the Magic their first playoff loss.

Vince Carter led Orlando with 23 points and Jameer Nelson added 20 in the loss, which snapped the Magic's 14-game winning streak stretching back to the regular season.

Game 2 will be Tuesday in Orlando.
 
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