BOSTON - Rajon Rondo sparked the Boston Celtics, who took an early 10-point lead after one quarter, but the Celts couldn't keep up the pace in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 49-44 lead over the Miami Heat on Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.
Rondo finished the half with 10 points, six assits and six rebounds after scoring 10 in the opening quarter, after which Boston led 29-19. At one point in the quarter, Boston was shooting 63 percent while holding Miami to 20 percent from the floor. The Heat outscored the Celtics, 25-20, in the second quarter to trim its deficit to five points entering the break.
Paul Pierce had a game-high 12 points and Brandon Bass scored 10 to lead Boston.
Shane Battier provided a boost off the bench for the Heat and led all bench scorers with -- points. LeBron James didn't score until the 5:48 mark of the first quarter and had -- points at the break while Dwyane Wade scored -- points.
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