Celtics captain Paul Pierce may have continued his struggles from the floor, but Kevin Garnett picked up the slack, amassing 29 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks -- a statistical line he hasn't produced since March 2007 as a member of the Timberwolves -- in the 92-91 win over the 76ers.
"We feel like that's our advantage," said Pierce of Garnett after Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. "That's our advantage every night when you look at the Eastern Conference and the teams that have to match up with him. We're gonna ride Kevin all the way until his wheels fall off. And he's bringing it every night. He understands the urgency of this ballclub, and he's giving everything he's got out there for us. He's looking magnificent. He's looked like the '04 MVP, definitely."
Pierce scored 14 points on just 3-of-11 shooting (8-8 FT), but Garnett submitted his second straight monster performance of the playoffs. Over his last two games, Garnett is averaging 28.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists against opposing centers Al Horford and Spencer Hawes.
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