02/17/2010 - 16:39
Another Clutch Three From 34
by
Evelyn Lau
Paul Pierce was crowned the king of three-point shooting in Dallas on Saturday.
On Tuesday night, Paul proved his crown wasn't just for exhibition performances.
The Captain carried over the confidence from his All-Star Weekend victory to sink a crucial trey late in a close game against the Sacramento Kings, helping Boston escape with a 95-92 victory in ARCO Arena on Tuesday night.
The Truth led the C’s with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, and was a perfect 5-of-5 at the free throw line down the stretch. The Boston Globe reported on Paul's big night:
"Moments after Jason Thompson stroked a 3 that made it 87-86, giving the Kings their first lead since the second quarter, Paul Pierce – still shining the 3-Point Contest trophy he won over All-Star weekend – answered on the very next possession, drilling a 3 from up top that made it 89-87, with 1:38 left."
The shot was No. 34’s biggest of the game and the pressure was on the Captain but he said he was used to stepping up for his team.
"Of course I’m not going to hesitate," Pierce said of taking the shot. "That’s what I’ve done my whole career, I’ve knocked down big shots for us."
Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com also praised the big play:
"Turning point: After the Celtics gave away yet another second-half lead, this time watching a seven-point, fourth-quarter lead evaporate as the Kings grabbed an 87-86 advantage late, captain Paul Pierce answered with a monster 3-pointer with 1:38 to play. Sacramento went cold from the field and the free-throw line, allowing Boston to escape with the win."
NEXT UP
No. 34 and company take on their long-time rival, the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night in the Staples Center. The C’s try to avenge a 90-89 loss at the Garden on Jan. 31.
Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. EST and can be seen nationwide on TNT.
RELATED STORIES
Pierce has all the answers (Boston Globe, Feb. 17, 2010)
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/02/17/pier...
First impressions: Celtics 95, Kings 92 (ESPNBoston.com, Feb. 17, 2010)
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4671867/first-impressio...
