Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Paul Pierce pulled up in front on LeBron James
and drained a clutch three-pointer in the final minute, helping the Boston
Celtics fend off the Miami Heat, 94-90, in Game 5 to take their first lead of
the Eastern Conference finals.
The Celtics became the first team in the series to win on the road and can
advance to the NBA Finals with a win in Boston on Thursday.
They pulled out the swing game despite Pierce and Rajon Rondo combining to hit
9-of-34 (26 percent) from the field. Kevin Garnett picked up the slack with 26
points, including two clinching free throws with 8.8 seconds left, to go along
with 11 rebounds.
Pierce wound up finishing with 19 points, Rondo had 13 assists and Ray Allen
and Mickael Pietrus each chipped in 13 points to help the Celtics rally from
a double-digit deficit early on.
James recorded 30 points and 13 rebounds, while Dwyane Wade added 27 points
for the Heat, who lost despite the return of All-Star forward Chris Bosh.
The Sports Network