Paul Pierce was thrilled to return to his adopted home at the TD Garden in Boston, but the ending wasn’t a happy one for his Los Angeles Clippers.
No. 34 had a chance to be the hero once again at the Garden, but he missed on a potential game-tying three-pointer in overtime as the Clips fell 139-134 to the Celtics. Ahead of the game, The Truth spoke with the media about the nostalgic feeling of returning to Boston, and what the Celtics franchise means to him.
“It’s always special to step in the Garden,” Paul said. “This was the bulk of my career; I spent 15 years here, provided so many memories, won a championship here… special floor, special fans, special building. I always savor the moments that I can step on this court.”
The Garden greeted Paul and Clippers coach Doc Rivers with a standing ovation, surely remembering the 2008 NBA Finals when the two took the title against the Celtics’ long-time rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.
“When you see a guy like Paul, who’s going to be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “All that he meant to this franchise, and continues to mean to this franchise… it’s amazing, and it’s fun to see the reception
[he and Rivers] get.”
No. 34 totaled six points in the Clippers’ loss. His workload was kept low: 21-plus minutes in the overtime battle, as he and Rivers remain focused on keeping his veteran legs fresh for the playoffs. Boston loyalists savored each one of Paul’s 21 minutes of playing time, cheering on their beloved NBA icon throughout the contest that featured two high-octane offenses for high-scoring results.
LAC outshot Boston, 52 percent to 50, in a fairly evenly matched stat sheet. Although the teams appeared balanced in many respects, the Clippers were hurt by second-chance points, 17-6, and fast-break points, 14-9.
The first frame featured three ties, as the Clippers led by as many as six. To the crowd’s delight, Paul hit a pair of triples in the opening period. The first broke a four-all tie, and the second snapped center Jared Sullinger’s streak of six straight points for the Celtics.
Point guard Isaiah Thomas capped Boston’s 8-3 run with a finger roll to knot it at 19. But Wesley Johnson hit a three to give the Clips the lead the rest of the quarter, as they took a 37-33 edge into the second stanza.
Boston guard Marcus Smart drained three treys to score 13 of his 17 points in the second quarter, as the Celtics went on to lead 71-64 at the break. Paul heaved a 55-footer to send the Garden into an animated uproar to end the half, but the shot didn’t get off in time.
Boston stretched its lead to as many as 13, but not without its fair share of struggles. After giving the ball away just twice in the first half, the Celtics coughed up four turnovers for nine points in the third quarter. But the C’s remained aggressive in the paint to match LAC with 27 points for the period.
The point guards battled in the second half to keep their teams afloat. Thomas dumped 21 of his game-high 36 points, while Chris Paul countered with 19 of his total 35 points in the half.
“(Paul) has given me an opportunity to be quiet a lot of times because he’s always talking,” CP3 said. “It’s been fun having another veteran like that, that extra voice in the locker room, and just the confidence that comes with Paul.”
CP3 and Lance Stephenson combined for 13 of the Clippers’ first 15 points of the fourth quarter, and Jamal Crawford gave LAC its first lead of the second half, 109-107, with a three-pointer. The Clippers kept the upper-hand until Thomas hit a floater and a fadeaway jumper with 5.8 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime, tied at 122.
“(Thomas) makes big shots. He’s tough to guard,” Rivers said of the 5-foot-9, 185-pounder. “Most little guys have been three-point shooters, which he is. You very rarely see one that gets in the paint and makes shots, and he does it consistently.”
JJ Redick scored the first six points of the extra period, but shooting guard Evan Turner took over for seven straight Celtics points off the bench to give his team a 137-134 edge. The Truth had a chance to tie it there, but his trifecta was off the mark. Then forward Jonas Jerebko made it a two-possession game, hitting a pair of free throws with 8.7 seconds to play, helping the Celtics win the 12th of their past 14 games.
The Clippers missed five of their 12 free throws and struggled to get stops down the stretch, as they saw their winning streak end at three. LAC will head into All-Star weekend with a loss, but Rivers is confident Paul’s veteran presence will continue to uplift the Clippers moving forward.
“He gives us leadership, he gives us truth,” Rivers said. “Instead of me using my voice, I can use Paul’s voice and that’s been really nice for me.”
NEXT UP
Following the All-Star Break, the Clippers (35-18) will welcome the San Antonio Spurs (45-8), Golden State Warriors (47-4), Phoenix Suns (14-39) and Denver Nuggets (22-32) to the Staples Center.
The Spurs game, which is set for Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. PT, will broadcast nationally on TNT.
LAC will be looking to even the series at 1-1 after falling 115-107 to San Antonio on the road Dec. 18. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge led the the Spurs with 26 points and 13 rebounds in the contest.
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