The topsy-turvy battle that is the NBA Finals took another turn on Tuesday night.

The Boston Celtics came back from a 17-point deficit to draw within one and a late three by Paul Pierce kept it close. But Boston couldn't complete the comeback, falling 91-84 at home to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Paul finished with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists. On a team filled with superstars Paul's numbers generally represent a strong effort, but No. 34 was far from satisifed, as he told the Boston Herald:

"I come in and knock down a shot, try to get a little rhythm and then back on the bench because of fouls," he said after finishing with five personals. "You know, I’ve just got to stop putting my hands where they don’t belong right now, but it’s frustrating because you feel like you’re playing hard, you’re playing to win, and then you get called for (fouls). I’ve got to do a better job of being a little bit more solid than I have been, and that means not fouling as much."

Los Angeles now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

After trailing by as much as 17 early in the game, the Cs were down 67-61 entering the final quarter and used a 6-1 run to get within one, 68-67, forcing LA to call a timeout. The Captain had 10 points entering the fourth and, as is his reputation, stepped up for his team trying to help fuel the comeback, as the Boston Globe wrote:

"In the final quarter, he converted a 3-pointer off the dribble to cut the deficit to 78-76 with 4:10 remaining. But the Celtics could not claim the lead, and they trailed by 7 when Pierce drove with 40 seconds left, making it 87-82 as he failed to complete a chance for a 3-point play."

Paul said after the game that while he was disappointed with the loss, he remained optimistic, telling the Boston Globe that he knows his team will bounce back:

"I feel confident with my ballclub, we came in there and talked about it for a few minutes before coaches came in there, about what we need to do, so we’re a team that’s going to stick together, not get down, point fingers at one another, so we’ll bounce back for Game 4. Because you do one thing in one game doesn’t mean it’s going to happen the next, whether you win or lose or how you play, that’s the way the game goes.’’

As far as his own game, the Truth said he feels good, and knows things will come together soon enough:

"I feel great, I know we still haven’t played our best basketball and we’re capable of winning these games,’’ he said. "Even the game we won, we didn’t feel like we played well. Our best basketball is going to come and I know it’s going to come before it’s too late. Hopefully, it’s next game. I thought we had great looks. The shots don’t always fall just because you shoot them. Ray [Allen] had a lot of good looks he normally makes, same type of looks. I think it’s about making the extra passes, getting a good look to a great look. Both teams know each other’s plays, know what you’re going to do, so it’s time to step up.’’

NEXT UP
Paul and the Cs will try to even the series as they host the Lakers in Game 4 at the TD Garden on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. EST. The game can be seen on ABC.

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