FRESH OFF OF PAUL'S GAME 7 MASTERPIECE against Cleveland -- Boston's second straight seven-game series -- he and the Celtics hosted the Detroit Pistons for the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The veteran squad of Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince had been to this stage five consecutive seasons, and after being upset in 2006-07 by Cleveland, were starving for another trip to the Finals. 

Paul soars to the hoop in Game 3 (Getty Images).

Paul and Boston proved just as hungry.

The Truth racked up 22 points in an 88-77 victory in Game 1. But for the first time in the postseason, Boston lost at home in Game 2, falling 103-97 despite 26 points from No. 34.

With the series tied a 1-1, Paul and Co. needed to do something they hadn't done in the playoffs: win a road game. In Game 3, they did just that, pulling out a 94-80 triumph with 11 points from Paul.

The Pistons proved why they had been so successful for so long in Game 4, evening the series with a runaway 94-75 win, and sending the teams back to Boston.

Game 5 would prove instrumental in the series.

It was a battle, but Paul scored 16 points en route to a much-needed 106-102 victory.  

Determined not to given the Pistons any more chances, the Truth took the game to Detroit literally and figuratively in Game 6, dominating his opponent on the way to 27 points and eight rebounds.

There on the floor of the Palace, Paul and Boston became clinched the Eastern Conference title -- Boston's first in 21 seasons -- with an 89-81 win.

Afterward, the Associated Press aptly described what it was like for the Truth to be an Eastern Conference champ for the first time:

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce walked together, sporting black hats with green four-leaf clovers, and tried to soak up the moment when both superstars became conference champions for the first time.

"My heart is beating faster," Pierce said.

Paul and Boston coach Doc Rivers, Eastern Conference Champs (Getty Images).

In the Western Conference, the Lakers had beaten the San Antonio Spurs in five games, setting the stage for a historic final -- and one that would prove especially significant for Paul.