Game Seven Notes: Paul Pierce vs. LeBron
Live from the latest Celtic game 7 home victory
By Jon Evans
Q1
Out of the Gate The Truth has come out strong, nailing two jumpers to put the Celtics on the board, then driving and dishing to Garnett for their next bucket.
Ray penetrates – TO on bad pass to Rondo. Despite the bad pass, perhaps the drive is a sign that Ray won’t just settle into the role of the spot up shooter.
LeBron hits his first shot
Cavs miss – break, Rondo to Pierce, 14-4.
LeBron converts tough drive, 16-6.
LeBron again. Great drive, (or travel), hits the layup - 16-8.
Tom Brady stole Jay-Z’s game 5 seat. Randy Moss is also in the building.
KG misses jumper from 20. I like KGs jumpshot, I like his post up game even more.
Back to back illegal defense calls on the Celtics – don’t see that every day. Bron hits one of the two technicals, capping a 7-0 Cavs run over the last 3:30.
Q2
Rotation craziness continues for Boston – Powe first bigman off the bench.
We’re up to our third football movie Lombardi-speech on the jumbotron. This time its Pacino from Any Given Sunday. Fight for that inch gentlemen.
Joe Smith – follow jam straight from the mid 90s, 18-15.
Pierce checks in for the artist formerly known as Jesus Shuttlesworth. Pierce’s pull up jumper from 15 extends lead to 5.
Paul attacking again- penetrates finds Powe. Powe hits 1of 2, 22-15 Celtics.
Eddie House curls around PJ screen, baseline jumper - wet. Cs by 9. Eddie soaks in the love from the crowd on the way to the bench.
Bron hits fall away, 11 for The King. 24-17.
Out then in – pierce bounces in a three, 29-21.
Chasing a loose ball, Eddie House dives across the parquet and slaps the ball to Posey who gets fouled under the basket. Mr. House just got himself 3,453 Tommy Points. The Boston crowd eats it up. “Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!” chants. That’s the first time that something in an NBA game has reminded me of something form a horrible Whoopi Goldberg movie.
Loose ball scramble between Delonte and Eddie House. Things get chippy – offsetting technicals.
Someone forgot to rotate – Perk drives in for an uncontested layin – in this series that’s like a running back breaking loose for a 55 yard run. 39-27, 4:31 left in the half.
Pierce again. 3 extends lead to 12
DPOY – stops Bron 1on1 top of the key. Same possession he strips Wally and leads the break. Fouled, 1 of 2.
Old fashioned three-point play for the king.
Ray Allen has arrived. Drives baseline, reverse lay-in. 46-35 with a minute remaining.
Damon Jones is still marginally relevant! Corner three from the Chinese shoe salesman, 46-38 Celtics.
Pierce steal, break, fouled. Lands on a cameraman’s knee – that can’t be good for the back. Hits two FTs, Celtics 50, Cavs 38, Pierce 26.
Eddie House’ kid with him for the halftime interview – that’s a first.
Q3
Ray Allen can’t stop LeBron in transition. In other breaking news fire trucks are red and Delonte West has a lot of tats. LeBron converts, misses the freethrow, but the Cavs retain the possession, ending with a three from Delonte, 52-45 Celtics.
After scoreless 1st half, Cavs look to establish Z… Back to back baseline jumpers cut the Celtics lead to just three with 8 left in the third. Caps a 9-2 Cavs run to open the second half.
This King-Pierce duel is fun to watch. On one end, LeBron hits from top off key, other end, Pierce hits jumper coming off screen. Then LBJ strikes with a three from the wing. Then a Pierce fall away sends Mike Brown’s squad to the bench for time. 5:21 left, Celtics 61 Cavs 56 Pierce 33 LeBron 30.
Celtics dust off the “You can’t handle the Truth” video montage from 2002, nice.
On a break, Ray Allen misses clean look for three
Little over a minute left, Allen misses long clean look from 3 from up top. Flans clamor for the return of Eddie House..
Q4
Ultimately it’d probably be in the Celtics best interest to get another player in double figures.
Truth hurts - Fall away jumper over Bronbron. Who needs a second scoring option..
All the attention on LeBron leaves Sasha open for corner 3
PJ brown lay in, and everyone is standing in the garden.
Lebron 3. and everyone is sitting. 81-77
Pierce up top, two dribbles pull up - pop. 39 for Paul.
LeBron hits a 3 over outstretched arms of KG,
KG does something offensively, hook over Wallace. And now we have two Celtics in double figures. More importantly for Boston, they extend the lead to five, 85-80 with less than six minutes left.
Lebron, KG on him on switch, drives across lane, floater. 85-82.
PJ taps an offensive rebound out to pierce to retain C’s possession. KG gets feed on the left bank, spins, hangs, and hits over Wallace, 87-82 with 3:43 left.
PJ strikes again. Corals an offensive rebound after Rondo’s lay in blocked.
Bron steal on Pierce – break, look out below, Slam. 89-88 with 2:20 left.
Bron misses 3 – PJ rebound.
Eddie House, trapped in corner, swings it to PJ on the wing. Brown, left open, knocks down the 20-footer. 1:21 left, Timeout Cle 91-88. Lets repeat that, 1:21 left, game seven and the big bucket for the Celtics is PJ Brown on a pass from Eddie House.
West mises 3, jumpball for rebound – could this get any more dramatic.
Off the tip, Pierce dives in ahead of LeBron to gain possession. Timeout. That’ll be 2,357 Tommy points for The Truth.
Pierce sets up on LeBron. KG screens and pops out. Pierce drives, out to KG, misses jumper.
Other end, LeBron drives - misses, KG pulls down the big rebound,
Ray Allen hits 2 from the line to pretty much ice it. Celtics up 5, 18.8 left.
After the protracted free throw game, Celtics win.
Gino.
47 Responses to “Game Seven Notes: Paul Pierce vs. LeBron”
May.19 at 8:43 am
Garrett says:
It doesn’t really matter who won — the Pistons would beat either team.
May.19 at 8:47 am
Froggiestyle says:
KG you’re the best - I have a serious question though I mean you’re the best, most intense player out there, in practice and all game. But in the 4th you seem to often have confidence issues. If we go back and look at tape of you since high school - have you always had a weak 4th quarter? Have you ever tried seeing someone about this (maybe a psychological thing… I don’t know). I’m not trying to be mean, I’m serious here. I think you’ll be a HOF no matter what. But I’d like to see you be your best all 4 quarters. Take care Fred from MN - rooting for you in Beantown.KG you’re the best - I have a serious question though I mean you’re the best, most intense player out there, in practice and all game. But in the 4th you seem to often have confidence issues. If we go back and look at tape of you since high school - have you always had a weak 4th quarter? Have you ever tried seeing someone about this (maybe a psychological thing… I don’t know). I’m not trying to be mean, I’m serious here. I think you’ll be a HOF no matter what. But I’d like to see you be your best all 4 quarters. Take care Fred from MN - rooting for you in Beantown.
May.19 at 8:52 am
Eboy says:
That was a lesson in double speak.
May.19 at 8:56 am
TADOne says:
What is everyones take on Bron saying that this game would make people forget the infamous Bird/Nique showdown game 7 from years ago?
May.19 at 8:59 am
Logan says:
was a great game…i hope the cavs get some help for Lebron….maybe he should go ‘parking lot’ on someones a$$…the Celts better learn to win on the road cause the Pistons can steal one in Boston…
May.19 at 9:02 am
Logan says:
@TAD- don’t think that game was 7 years age
this game was amazing but I don’t think its right to compare it with Bird/Nique. That was a classic…
May.19 at 9:03 am
Logan says:
ok I meant ‘7 years ago’
May.19 at 9:06 am
Froggiestyle says:
double post - GRRRRrrrrrr ;0P
May.19 at 9:07 am
TADOne says:
Sorry Logan, that does read weird. I was saying game ‘7′, not game 7 years ago.
May.19 at 9:15 am
Logan says:
hah! i kind of got it once i read it again!
May.19 at 9:19 am
call me li says:
lebron shoulda pulled up for that one 3 instead tryna take it in the paint and get fouled when he knew they wouldn’t call it. (Lebron Q1:”And one, GODD**N!”)
May.19 at 9:41 am
WhaHuh says:
nah it wasnt a classic- Pierce was the only celtic that turned up and although LeBron lit them up it wasnt a “LeBron Classic” with the dunks, physicality etc. overall boring series, no team reached 100 and it wasnt beacause of defense.
May.19 at 9:44 am
DP says:
Yeah the pistons are going to whoop the celts ass man. They just look possesed right now and they had Rodney starting at the point. Rondo better step his ass up because he is not going against Tat Tat tat it up Delonte. Mr. Big Shot will strike again. For some strange reason, I think I am starting to LIKE the pistons. ugh. play wit it.
May.19 at 9:46 am
DP says:
whahuh, yeah dude it kind of was good defense. If this series was this low scoring, imagine the pistons. It is still good basketball though. No phx suns crap where no defense happens.
May.19 at 9:46 am
TADOne says:
WhaHuh: I agree that the shooting and overall execution for each team was horrible for most of the series, defense absolutely played a factor as well. The Celtics played some great D on Bron thruout the series by doubling, trapping, and showing against his with multiple defenders and forcing him to shoot jumpers. The Cleveland defense was also very good against Boston when it counted, getting numerous stops at critical points. Also, LeBron by far played the best defense he has ever played in his young career.
May.19 at 9:50 am
TADOne says:
DP:Please do not downplay the Celtics against the Pistons. Detroit will not kill the C’s unless Ray allen continues his disappearing act and KG loses his competitive fire. I do not see that happening. It will be a very hard fought series.
May.19 at 9:55 am
Rasheedionics says:
May be Cavs can trade for Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes.
May.19 at 9:58 am
Mendel says:
Yo, KG was M.I.A, what the bleep was he doing out there? For a franchise guy and the man to run that team he was mad soft in game 7. It was pretty disapointing.
May.19 at 10:00 am
DP says:
TAD, I’m trying to jinx the Pistons if you get my drift.
May.19 at 10:05 am
Bigi says:
These Conference Finals are gonna be one for the ages…No matter who the Lakers play…
May.19 at 10:16 am
Tariq says:
There was one play where KG really pissed me off: when he had Delonte West (!) guarding him in the paint and he just swung it out to Eddie House or Posey or someone. Take it to the house, Kid! But overall, I would say KG has been very good in the Playoffs. For all of Pierce’s heroics last night, KG has been the most consistent Celtic this series, and they wouldn’t even have been in position to win the series if Garnett hadn’t carried them when Pierce and Ray combined for 4 points in Game 1.
May.19 at 10:17 am
TADOne says:
If you are my nemesis DP, then I have no worries.
May.19 at 10:29 am
DP says:
Don’t doubt me TAD, I don’t slip easily. Plus my lakers would crush your Pistons. Lamar Odom is playing that Magic Johnson ball right about now my friend.
May.19 at 10:33 am
Silky Slim says:
I enjoyed watching King James and The Truth go at each. KG needs to be more agressive offensively. We passed up way too many shots in the 4th quarter.
May.19 at 10:35 am
Eboy says:
DP, comparing Lamar Odom to Magic Johnson, besides the fact that they are both male and African-American, is blasphemopus to basketball fans, living and dead.
May.19 at 10:36 am
Tuomas says:
Yes, Pistons-Celtics will be hard-fought to the end unless one of them absolutely collapses. Btw, since Tariq already took down the Lebron image marketing vs. realism issues, I’d like to tackle the Garnett-bashing, which has reached epic levels these last few weeks. There are those who, for some ridiculous reason, think last night was the biggest game of KG’s career and the consensus also seems to be that he always disappears. Even in 2004, the squad was led in the crunch by Sam-I-Am and Spree, right? Except when a certain someone puts up 14 in the 4th with a 30/20 game overall, ending in the franchise’s first game seven victory ever: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E1DA103FF933A15756C0A9629C8B63 This is not to say Garnett hasn’t choked, but I didn’t think he did so last night. Offensively the game plan at that point was to give PP the ball and step aside, and rightly so. What’s more, KG was very physically defended by Wallace in the closing moments with heavy emphasis on keeping him away from the basket - and he still got one tough turnaround to go with a little over three left. There was that one forced turnaround from further away and one missed open J down the stretch, but you can’t say he didn’t try. And the defensive presence and rebounding were solid cornerstone material. Give the guy a break, take things as they are and don’t jump on an image bandwagon. That said, I hope he gets exactly zero fourth quarter points against the Pistons…
May.19 at 10:38 am
DP says:
Eboy, he is getting there. He is the X-factor for the Lakers period. He is rebounding, passing, and scoring like he is on a f*cking mission right now and I feel that as a third wheel, Lamar can reach his potential that way. By the way, Skip Bayless is a douchebag. just wanted to point that out cuz I’m viewing Cold Pizza right now.
May.19 at 10:39 am
DP says:
Does anyone know how may miles Rip hamilton runs a day? I’m trying to get in shape for aau ball and now that I’m out of school, my lazy ass needs to run and get in shape.
May.19 at 10:40 am
H to the izzo says:
…………..
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May.19 at 10:40 am
Silky Slim says:
Ray Allen has lost his game. If anyone is able to find Ray Allen’s game, please contact the Boston Celtic’s coaching staff. This is an APB (All Points Bulletin).
May.19 at 10:46 am
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
If Allen finds his stroke I´ll take C’s in 7 over P’s, big if though. Love KG, but to be honest he allways disapears in clutch games/situation - his confidence is just not there, that play Tariq mentioned was just absurd. Also I’m with you TAD there was a lot of good defence in this series, LeBron doesn’t shoot 35% without being well-guarded. Paul P welcome to stud-hood, nice you’ve finally arrived!
May.19 at 10:51 am
Froggiestyle says:
Ok, I double posted so got no love, but I’d like to see KG be “that guy” in the 4th too - not just the rest of the time. My dad wouldn’t have let me gotten anyway with not being the best in the 4th, someone has to give KG a helpful hand / push in the right direction / tough love / constructive criticism. For real
May.19 at 11:01 am
TADOne says:
DP: Rip has been known to run 5 miles a day on days off. Good luck with all of that. In the offseason, I imagine he does that every day.
May.19 at 11:01 am
peteb80 says:
Kevin Garnett is 32 years old, he’s not gonna change. Btw, apparently it’s his birthday today. I bet he’ll totally annihilate the first 8 candles, screaming, making crazy faces, giving out high-fives. Then he will let Pierce blow out all the others.
May.19 at 11:02 am
TADOne says:
Also DP: I highly doubt Detroit would get “crushed” as you say. However, I’m not even worried about the Lakers right now, as we still have to beat the Celtics, and i’m not looking ahead.
May.19 at 11:03 am
Froggiestyle says:
peteb80 - that was funny
May.19 at 11:14 am
Tariq says:
I’ll say this though: KG played very well in the 4th quarter of Game 1.
May.19 at 11:16 am
Froggiestyle says:
…which helps the celts in game 7 how Tariq? It’s about crunch time cahones.
May.19 at 11:22 am
Tariq says:
It helps them in Game 7 thusly: If not for KG’s performance in Game 1, there wouldn’t even have been a Game 7. Pierce had 4 points in that game. That being said, I think KG deserves some criticism; he needs to be more aggressive offensively.
May.19 at 11:53 am
Allenp says:
Good points on KG, particularly the point about him passing out of the post when he had Delonte on him. All I could do was shake my head at that. That said, KG did hit two tough buckets down the stretch and he owned the glass. Remember, Cleveland was killing the Celtics on the glass the entire series, but yesterday KG and PJ came up big.
May.19 at 12:25 pm
Jackie Moon says:
Brutal series to watch. These coaches need offensive coordinators.
May.19 at 12:33 pm
warr says:
great game last night pierce and lebron put on a show, the nba turning into wrestling. why was Lebron so satisfied after the game? He good as long as he put up 45 and somebody put 40 on him in game seven nothing to be upset about, as a fan I’m disappointed Lebron showed know heart at the end of the game.
May.19 at 12:39 pm
B. Long says:
I guess Ryan is in mourning…….
May.19 at 1:17 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Allenp WTF are you talking about.. with 2 minutes to go he missed 2 shots, when the games was within 1 and 3 points for the Cavs. Leagueofclutch my d**k. The guy is greatest choker to ever play, considering all the WWF intimidation he puts on. All bark, no bite. All flash, no substance! I wish people would just face the facts. Game after game he chokes in the clutch!
May.19 at 2:07 pm
tealish says:
I felt kind of bad for KG when the MVP chants were raining down for Pierce as he was shooting the closing freebies.
May.19 at 2:11 pm
tealish says:
warr: I get what you mean. Dude just got eliminated and he’s more occupied with furthering the LeBron brand by comparing his showdown with Bird/Nique?
But stuff like this, you’ve got to let slide. It’s easy to forget he’s 23 sometimes, but that’s what he is - a youngin.
May.20 at 2:50 am
Hursty says:
flux: dude…. chill out.