March 19, 2009

Lean on Me

Decimated by injuries, the Boston Celtics turned to their captain and lone constant to guide them to victory Wednesday night.

Unstoppable (Getty Images).

Paul put his team on his shoulders and willed them to a 112-108 overtime victory against the Miami Heat, locking up their second straight Atlantic Division title at TD Bank North Garden.

Missing two thirds of the Big Three, No. 34 turned in an epic offensive performance, dropping a game-high 36 points while pulling down 11 boards and dishing out 5 assists.

He was extraordinary in every facet of the game; a scintillating 5-8 from beyond the arc, 14-23 from the field, complete with the third-highest assist total for his club, all helping secure the 51st victory of the season.

Just how outstanding was the Truth? Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra threw multiple defenders at him over the course of the night, but Superman leapt them all in a single bound.

“He was scoring on every one of our matchups,’’ Spoelstra said.

Paul’s pullup jumper with 1:23 remaining in the fourth gave Boston a one-point advantage, but the Heat would force overtime after a trip to the free throw line.

The Truth finally shut the door in the overtime period, pouring in five more points and icing the game from the charity stripe in the final seconds.

After the win, the Associated Press caught up with no. 34 and asked him about the importance of the Division crown.

"[R]eally doesn’t mean anything to the Boston Celtics,’’ Paul said. “They don’t put that banner up. Maybe in other arenas they put that banner up, but here it really doesn’t mean a thing.’’

NEXT UP
The Truth and the Celtics hit the road to take on the San Antonio Spurs Friday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM Eastern Time.

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Pierce scores 36 as Celtics beat Wade-less Heat (AP, March 19, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/games/20090318/MIABOS/recap.html