Sam Cassell was wondering what the big fuss was around his locker about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday night.

In 15 seasons, he has accumulated 15,635 points, making 5,698 shots, 672 of which were 3-point bombs.

The 13 points he scored, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter, aren't anywhere near his career high. Heck, twice in the 2004 playoffs he had 40-point games.

"It's not that hard," said Cassell, who canned two three-pointers in the tightly contested fourth quarter. "It's just making shots."

Making shots? Tell that to LeBron James, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. The three All-Stars combined to make only four of 36 shots in a game that looked more like a boxing match than a graceful playoff basketball game.

The Celtics eventually pulled out the ugly Eastern Conference semifinal opener over Cleveland, 76-72, thanks to Kevin Garnett, who had eight fourth-quarter points, including four points in the final two minutes and, of course, Cassell.

Nights like this are the reason Cassell asked out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and then called Danny Ainge looking to be part of a championship run.

The Celtics had everything except a Plan B if Rajon Rondo was struggling. But Tuesday night was a Plan C. Rondo (15 points, 5-of-8 shooting) was great. But the Celtics needed points.