Not much to add leading up to tomorrow night's game. The Celtics have spent the last five monthsin many ways, the last five yearsbuilding up to this moment. Now, 48 minutes will tell the difference between a once-unimaginable berth in the Eastern Conference Finals and the end of an era.
Crazy, crazy stuff.
In the aftermath of Game 6, Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett received a lot of attention for their uneven performances, and deservedly so. The two have carried the Celtics for the majority of the postseason, and for both to simultaneously play so poorly in a such a pivotal game they deserved every ounce of criticism. And if neither can step up tomorrow than the same depressing conversation from these last two days will be magnified by 1000 and carried out for the extent of the summer. Wah Wah.
But what about Paul Pierce?
The Captain's obviously not 100 percent, and as a result, we've learned to expect a little less. If he hasn't been at his best in any particular game, there's always the built-in "Yeah, but"
But this is Game 7. This is everything. Pierce maybe a little gimpy but he'll have plenty of time to rest if the Celtics fall short. They could really use a vintage PP performance.
Anyway, I was thinking: Over the course of his career, how has Pierce actually fared in deciding games?
Boston Celtics
Turns out this will be the eighth deciding game of the Truth's career. He's played in six previous Game 7s, and one Game 5. And here's how he's done:
June 17, 2010: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
Pierce: 45 minutes, 18 points, 10 rebounds
Celtics lose, 83-79.
May 17, 2009: Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
Pierce: 38 minutes, 16 points, two rebounds
Celtics lose, 101-82
May 2, 2009: Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics
Pierce: 43 minutes, 20 points, nine rebounds
Celtics win, 109-99
May 4, 2008: Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
Pierce: 32 minutes, 22 points, eight rebounds
Celtics win, 99-65
May 18, 2008: Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
Pierce: 43 minutes, 41 points, four rebounds
Celtics win, 97-92
May 7, 2005: Indiana Pacers at Boston Celtics
Pierce: 36 minutes, 19 points, seven rebounds
Celtics lose, 97-70
May 3, 2002: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Pierce: 44 minutes, 46 points, four rebounds
Celtics win, 120-87.
So that's seven games, and a 4-3 record for the Celtics.
An average of 26 points and 6.2 rebounds a night for Pierce.
If the C's can get that tomorrow, it's on to Miami.
Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine