It was December 18, 2004, when the Boston Celtics last beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cleveland. Paul Pierce was there in '04, and wanted this win against King James and his court. He got it.

The Truth scored 23 points on 6-13 from the field and grabbed 11 rebounds for the double double as the Celtics opened their quest for another NBA Championship with a 95-89 win over the Cavs on Tuesday night.

On Tuesday night, LeBron could not stop The Truth (Getty Images).

No. 34 was pleased with the team’s performance and the drive they showed to pick up the win, as quoted in the Boston Globe:

“Psychologically, you go into another team’s building, especially a team with such a great record last year [39-2] at home,” Paul said, “and a place we haven’t won in a few years. It’s great, psychologically, to go in here and get a win, so we know next time we come in here we know we’ve done it and we’re capable of doing it again.”

Shortly after tip off, it wasn’t obvious that the Celtics were going to have a decisive win.

The C’s got off to a slow start and trailed by nearly 14 points in the opening quarter. The turning point was at the end of the first, when Boston started sinking from distance. Rasheed Wallace, followed by No. 34, landed threes, giving Boston its first lead in the game. That lead boosted the team’s morale.

The final minute of the game turned into an all-too familiar Paul v. LeBron face-off, but as the Boston Globe reported, this one went the way of the Truth.

Pierce scored the final 8 Celtic points in the last 1:03.

Trailing, 89-83, Cleveland failed to get a shot out of a timeout, a James pass going off Parker, the ball bouncing into the Celtic bench with 53.4 seconds left. The Celtics then called a timeout, Pierce converting out of the timeout with :02 on the shot clock. Anderson Varejao cut the Cavs deficit with a free throw, then James dunked off a steal, pulling Cleveland within 91-86 with 15.9 seconds left. Pierce restored the 7-point edge with two free throws.

For the Boston fans, it was great seeing the Truth, KG and Ray Allen together again, and the sight evoked images of Banner No. 18 in their heads.

NEXT UP
Next up for Captain and his crew is to host the Bobcats in the Celtics’ home opener tonight. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m EST all the action can be seen live on CSN.

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Pierce helps Celtics start season with win in Cleveland (Reuters, Oct. 28, 2009)
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Celtics-Cavaliers Game Review (USA Today, Oct. 27, 2009)
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Pierce powers Celtics past Cavs in season opener (Associated Press, Oct 27, 2009)
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Paul Pierce, The Bench Lead Way over Cavs (Red’s Army, Oct. 27, 2009)
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Celtics Tip Off With 95-89 Statement Win Over Cavaliers (NESN.com, Oct 27, 2009)
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