Entering a crucial Game 5 matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Paul Pierce was already decided: Tonight, he was going to bring it offensively, win or lose.

On Tuesday night, the Captain scored a victory and a double-double, finishing with 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and the Boston Celtics destroyed the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120-88.

Cleveland could not handle the Truth on Tuesday night (Getty Images).

It was the worst home playoff loss in Cavs history, and gave the Cs a 3-2 advantage in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Afterward, No. 34 said that he following through on his game plan, telling the Boston Globe:

“It really didn’t matter who was going to guard me,’’ Pierce said. “I was planning on being more aggressive.’’

The Truth put up a vintage performance in the victory:

"Pierce’s defensive assignment and the fouls that came with it made it impossible for him to get anything going offensively, but in the Celtics’ 120-88 Game 5 win over the Cavaliers last night, Pierce was as aggressive offensively as he was at every other facet of the game, grabbing 11 rebounds and hounding James in the 42 minutes they were on the floor.

“I wanted to be more aggressive getting set up in the paint,’’ Pierce said. “Just watching the film, there were more opportunities I could get in the paint and stop and get my mid-range jumper.’’

Paul’s teammates agreed that his energy was critical in the road win.

“He was active tonight,’’ said Kevin Garnett. “Paul was aggressive on both ends. I thought he was very talkative. It was so loud in here and one of the voices you did hear all night was his. I thought the fact that he helped on the boards, getting in there and getting loose balls, getting his hands on the ball, being aggressive and putting the onus on the defense, we’ll need that from him. That was the difference.’’

DEFENSE WINS TITLES
But Paul’s defensive game shouldn’t be overlooked. Guarding LeBron James all night, the Captain did a stellar job of limited Cleveland’s star. As the Boston Herald described:

“Pierce’s 21 points were a nice and needed touch, but it was his work at the other end of the gymnasium that was most influential in the Celtics’ stunning 120-88 clobbering of Cleveland that produced a 3-2 series lead.

King James came into the game averaging 29.8 points on 50.6 percent shooting for the series, but last night his line was that of a commoner – 15 points on 3-for-14 shooting.”

And despite No. 34’s impressive game, he was quick to point out that it was a collective effort that had led to Boston's success. As he told ESPN.com:

“That’s the beauty of our team, it’s what makes us so dangerous,” said Pierce. “You look at Cleveland, you know you gotta stop LeBron. With us, it’s any number of guys. We’ve got four or five guys who can lead us in scoring in me, [Rajon] Rondo, Ray [Allen], [Kevin Garnett], and [Rasheed] Wallace. That’s why we’re so dangerous; different guys are stepping up on different nights.”

NEXT UP
With the Cs up 3-2, Boston can close the series out in Game 6 in Boston on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST with the game televised nationally on ESPN.

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