NBA: LeBron James guides Miami Heat off winning start over Celtics

Miami recover from squandering first-half lead to secure opening match of Eastern Conference finals.

MIAMI, FL - MAY 28: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat attempts a shot in the second half against Kevin Garnett #5 and Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics in Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 28, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.   Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images/AFP== FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==
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LeBron James poured in 32 points and pulled down 13 rebounds on Monday as the Miami Heat drew first blood in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals with a 93-79 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Dwyane Wade added 22 points and seven assists for the Heat, who never trailed and led by as many as 17.

Miami host game two on Tuesday, with the winners of the best-of-seven series advancing to the NBA Finals to face either Oklahoma City or San Antonio.

Shane Battier scored 10 points, Mario Chalmers had nine and Mike Miller finished with eight as the Heat again coped admirably without star forward Chris Bosh.

Bosh remained remained sidelined with a strained abdominal muscle, and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said there was no timetable for his return.

Kevin Garnett scored 23 points and added 10 rebounds for Boston, but the Celtics looked a step slow most of the night after wrapping up a seven-game second-round victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

The Heat out-rebounded the Celtics 48-33, and blocked 11 Boston shots.

Rajon Rondo, whose triple-double led the Celtics in game seven against the Sixers, finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Paul Pierce scored 12 points, connecting on just five of 18 shots from the floor.

The Celtics started firing in the second quarter, battling back from an 11-point deficit to tie the score at halftime.

But the Heat, led by NBA Most Valuable Player James and Wade, inexorably pulled away in the third.

"The second quarter we executed our stuff offensively," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "Then, third quarter, the game just got away from us. We rushed. Our offense was rushed. We never got into our rhythm."