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NBA: Boston 85, Miami 76

BOSTON, April 18 (UPI) -- Paul Pierce scored 16 points Saturday as the Boston Celtics took a 1-0 Eastern Conference quarterfinal series lead over Miami with an 85-76 triumph.

Kevin Garnett added 15 points and collected nine rebounds before being ejected with 40 second left in the game for throwing an elbow at Miami's Quentin Richardson during a melee that broke out along the Miami bench as Pierce lay injured on the sidelines.

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With Pierce on the floor holding his shoulder, Garnett stood over him to see if he was alright. Richardson approached and a ugly scuffle broke out. The Boston forward could be facing a suspension after the ejection.

Rajon Rondo contributed 10 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds while Tony Allen had 14 points for Boston, who trailed most of the game but used a tenacious defense in the fourth quarter to surge ahead.

The Celtics held Miami to 10 points in the final frame, during which the Heat were 4-for-21 from the field. Miami turned the ball over 22 times, leading to 38 Boston points.

Dwyane Wade led Miami with 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the loss.

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