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Pierce, Celtics Close Out Cavs

Posted on: Monday, 19 May 2008, 06:00 CDT

By Jon Saraceno

BOSTON -- In a monumental and memorable battle of talent, ego and willpower, Paul Pierce and LeBron James waged a dramatic court duel Sunday that was decided, in large measure, by a player who was out of the NBA until three months ago.

Friendly ghosts of postseasons past seemed to float down from the Garden rafters as the Boston Celtics regained a measure of their mystique by advancing to the Eastern Conference finals with a tense 97-92 semifinal win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7.

P.J. Brown sank a crucial jump shot with 1:21 remaining to preserve the lead for the Celtics, who never trailed. Pierce and teammate Kevin Garnett lobbied coach Doc Rivers to add the 38-year-old veteran frontcourt player after the All-Star break.

Pierce and James combined for 86 points, reminiscent of the Dominique Wilkins-Larry Bird playoff shootout 20 years ago when they combined for 81 in the Celtics' win against the Atlanta Hawks. Pierce finished with 41; James scored a game-high 45. "Get the ball to Paul Pierce and get the hell out of the way," Garnett said of Boston's offensive philosophy.

The Celtics, seeking to regain the swagger they had in the regular season, needed Pierce's heroics. Two days after losing a desultory game in Cleveland in which it generated 69 points, Boston's offense was supercharged by Pierce. He added two key free throws with 7.9 seconds left, including one aided by a lucky bounce. "I think the ghost of (ex-team president) Red (Auerbach) was looking over us," Pierce said. "I think he kind of tapped it in the right direction, and it went through the net and put a smile on my face."

Boston, which has not won an NBA title in two decades, has never lost a seven-game series after leading 3-2. The Celtics, 8-0 in the postseason on their famous parquet floor, are 0-6 on the road as they prepare to play the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 on Tuesday in Boston. The teams have met in the playoffs seven times, including in 1987, the year Boston made its last appearance in the NBA Finals. (c) Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

Source: USA TODAY

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