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Pierce steps up as Celtics take a 3-2 series lead
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AP/Elise Amendola
When this series first started, the main guy I was worried about was Paul Pierce.
A finals MVP and now hearing all the critics count his team out of even reaching the Eastern Conference finals because of the absence of Kevin Garnett.
Last night, he stepped up when he was needed the most to the chagrin of me and most Bulls fans as the Celtics beat the Bulls in overtime 106-104 to take a 3-2 series lead.
I don't know how many times Pierce went to that one dribble pull up jump shot to the right elbow, but after seeing it the first two times, I would have tried to get the guy to go left at least once, or bring in help, seeing as Tony Allen was in the game, Stephon Marbury (who doesn't want any part of the ball in the final minutes) and Rajon Rondo (28 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds.)
With Ray Allen fouling out in the fourth quarter, Pierce put the team on his back.
"I just thought when Ray fouled out it was time for me to really step up," said Pierce. "Better late than never."
For the third time in five games, overtime was needed to produce a winner.
The Bulls led 77-66 early in the fourth but looked more like they were trying to run time, rather than continuing to attack. The Celtics than scored nine in a row to make it 83-82 with 4:27 left. Allen fouled out during the run, right after hitting a three. Gordon hit a leaner over Marbury to give the Bulls the lead with 16 seconds left.
That's when Pierce went to his sweet spot and hit a jumper over Derrick Rose with 10.5 seconds left to send it into overtime.
Pierce than proceeded to get to his spot and deliver critical jumpers over John Salmons.
In the end, it came down to Brad Miller making free throws, after getting hit in the mouth by Rondo, Miller had to try to get his mouth to stop bleeding, which took 5 minutes to do and than try to tie the score at 106. Miller missed the first and tried to miss the second intentionally to give the Bulls another opportunity to manufacture a shot, but his shot didn't connect with the rim, thus giving the C's the win.
They wasted huge nights from several players.
For every Ben Gordon shot that made you question why, he answered right back with the one's that mattered most. Trying to shake off a strained left hamstring, BG went for 26 points, 6 assists, including going 11-12 from the line, but shot only 6-21 from the field and 3-10 from deep.
Kirk Hinrich came off the bench and was on fire in the first half. He seemed to be in a rhythm I haven't seen him in, in a long time. He finished the game with 19 points.
Salmons started to also shoot with more confidence even though he went 5-15 from the field for 17 points. Believe it or not, if he starts shooting with more confidence and stops over dribbling and trying to force his way inside, Rose and Gordon are going to win this series for the Bulls.
Pierce is still not staying home on Salmons and is daring him to shoot. If he starts being more aggressive, the lane wouldn't be so clogged on Rose's penetrations and Gordon wouldn't be getting forced into tough shots on screens.
Joakim Noah was out rebounded by Kendrick Perkins (16 points, 19 rebounds and 7 blocks), but 17 boards, including 6 offensive, to go with 11 points isn't a bad night and if he keeps taking advantage of the Celtics doubling Gordon and Rose, could get more opportunities at the rim, but I'm very pleased with how he has played throughout this series.
Game 6 is on Thursday at 6 PM on TNT.
The Bulls need to come out with the same sense of urgency they came out with in Game 4. The defense was good throughout this game until they stopped attacking on the offensive end, They're going to need everyone to step up to take this series back to TD Banknorth Gardens and I think they will
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