NBA: Rondo shines as Celtics edge Sixers

BOSTON, Massachusetts – Rajon Rondo posted his eighth career playoff triple-double as the Boston Celtics edged the Philadelphia 76ers 92-91 in game one of the Eastern Conference series on Saturday.

Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives by Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams (23) during the first quarter of Game 1 in the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series on Saturday, May 12, 2012, in Boston. AP / ELISE AMENDOLA

Rondo had 13 points, 17 assists and 12 rebounds for the Celtics who had to overcome a 10-point fourth quarter deficit.

Kevin Garnett finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds for Boston, who beat the Atlanta Hawks in six games to reach the second round for the fifth consecutive year.

Andre Iguodala scored a team-high 19 points in the loss. Iguodala sunk a pair of last-second free throws Thursday to enable the 76ers to beat the top seeded Chicago Bulls in their first round series.

The Sixers became just the fifth eight-seed in NBA history to oust the top seed by taking out the injury-riddled Bulls.

The Bulls struggled on offence as they were forced to play without injured superstar Derrick Rose and starting centre Joakim Noah for most of the series.

The Celtics also host game two on Monday night.

During the regular season the Sixers won two of three over the Celtics with each team winning their home games.

Philadelphia easily defeated Boston in the first meeting of the season at home on March 7 and cruised to another home victory a couple of weeks later.

Boston rebounded at home by routing Philadelphia 103-79 on Easter.