BOSTON - 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 last night in the opener of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

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 2 is tomorrow night 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 minutes, 34 seconds left.

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. 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.

NBA: Shot was late. The NBA admitted Chauncey Billups' three-pointer at the end of the third quarter of Monday's Detroit-Orlando playoff game should not have counted, but said referees weren't allowed to review instant replay to determine that.

League president Joel Litvin also said the disputed shot, which gave Detroit a 78-76 lead in its 100-93 victory, could not have been replayed after the clock malfunction was discovered.