Boston's Paul Pierce rediscovers offensive groove in Game 4
Pierce went quiet while forward Kevin Garnett and Boston's bench took over, but he scored seven points in the final 2:18 of thefourth quarter as the Celtics defeated the Lakers 9689 and evened the bestofseven series at 22.
Pierce finished with a teamhigh 19 points on 7for12 shooting and also had six rebounds and five assists. He rebounded from his 15point Game 3 and 10point Game 2. He entered Game 4 shooting 36%.
"It wasn't the most important thing for us on the list to get Paul Pierce going coming into the game," Pierce said. "But Doc (Rivers) told me to be aggressive at the start of the game put me in a couple pickandrolls early black nike shoes, try to get to the lane, be aggressive. That's about it."
It was also a small reemergence of "The Big Three" Pierce, forward Kevin Garnett and guard Ray Allen.
Garnett had 13 points and six rebounds, and Allen, who missed all 13 shots he took in Game 3, scored 12 points on 4for11 shooting and had five rebounds.
Just as Garnett was the focal point of Boston's early offense in Game 3 after a bad game in Game 2, the Celtics went to Pierce on their first play new men air max.
He drew a foul and made two free throws.
"We liked the way the game was played today. Just real physical," Pierce said. "It was a real grinditout game, both teams in the 80s, and that's the type of game we like. We really don't want to get into a scoring duel with the Lakers."
Pierce made four of seven shots in the first quarter but went quiet for the second and third quarters and most of the fourth.
He scored his 12th point with 4:27 left in the second quarter and didn't score again until 2:18 remained in the fourth quarter.
"I was kicking myself in the third quarter," Rivers said. "I thought we went away from him a little too much. I thought we were pressing a little bit as a team.. I kept reminding them that Paul has it goingwomens nike air max 2011 gray pink. Let's try to get it back to him."
Pierce remained on the bench for most of the fourth quarter as Boston's bench eliminated a 6260 deficit and built a 8578 lead.
Pierce reentered with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter and immediately went to work offensively, scoring Boston's next five points on a stepback jump shot and a threepoint play.
"I don't complain about the way the offense is going and what we've been able to accomplish, because at the end of the day it's about winning games. And whether I score or I'm aggressive or not, my whole goal is to help win games," Pierce said. "Coach drew up a few more plays for me today, and I was just capitalizing on them."Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally nike tn, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.
