The age-old rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons has turned rather one-sided in the last few years, but Paul Pierce and the Celtics showed no mercy on the Pistons Monday night.

Paul scored 12 points in the first quarter and Boston never trailed as they dominated the Detroit, 119-93 at TD Garden.

The Truth finished with 15 points, three assists, two steals, and one block in just 17 minutes of play on the hardwood. Hitting on all cylinders early, Paul found his rhythm to help Boston build a big lead during the first half as ESPN.com described it:

"Pierce scored 12 points in the first 6:39 of the game and helped the Celtics open an 18-point lead in the first quarter. He played just 30 seconds in the second quarter, when the Celtics used a 19-5 run to open a 29-point lead, before picking up his third foul.

He wasn’t needed much in the second half, either.

Boston led by as many as 33 points, 82-49, but the Pistons cut it to 19 at the end of three."

Teammate Kevin Garnett also praised the Captain for his play in the game, as he told the Boston Herald:

"When Paul’s aggressive like he is, there’s not a forward in the world that can play him," Garnett said. "He’s hard to guard when he’s aggressive like that. He sets the tone for our offense, but for our defense also."

Boston coach Doc Rivers was quick to commend Paul for his dynamic play on the court, which he believes is a sign of things to come:

"We obviously are really working to try to re-establish him," coach Doc Rivers said. "And like I said before the game, it’s coming around. It’s still not there, but that was great to see. He looked explosive, so those are the signs I keep seeing that I think he’s getting closer and our team’s getting closer."

Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe noticed the team regaining championship form, starting with No. 34:

"Sometimes it’s easy to forget the captain was MVP of the 2008 Finals. Pierce totally outplayed Kobe Bryant in that series. Too often this year he’s been Just Another Guy, but last night he came out of the blocks with 12 points in the first period. Then he turned the game over to everybody else."

NEXT UP
Paul and the C’s host the New York Knicks at the TD Banknorth Garden in a St. Patrick’s Day treat on Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.

Boston has won the last 10 games between the two squads. The game can be seen on CSNHD or listened to on WEEI.

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