Despite starting the season 5 for 25 from the floor until overtime last night, West became the only logical option with the game on the line. Pierce passed to West. Without hesitation, West knocked down the jumper at the buzzer. As teammates rushed to West, Pierce looked at the young guard and pointed, a gesture that seemed to say, "There you go. Told you so." Pierce knew he could trust his teammate to secure the Celtics' first win of the season, a 110-108 overtime victory at TD Banknorth Garden.
"I was confident that once I kicked it out Delonte would make the shot," said Pierce, who observed that West was more comfortable back at point guard against the Bobcats. "He's that kind of player. He can knock down shots when we need them. He was there for me."
West appreciated the confidence Pierce showed in him and paid the compliment right back. When asked what he thought when Pierce found him for the final shot, West said, "I thought I've got to hit this."
West added: "That is the true definition of an All-Star when your teammates see you over there [and get you the ball]. Over the past couple years, you've see him do that numerous times. Draw all the defense in and kick [to an open player] for a game-winning shot. He dominates the game in so many ways. He came up with a big assist and I was just the beneficiary of an easy shot."
But overall, the win wasn't pretty. Boston committed 25 turnovers, including 12 by Pierce. Kendrick Perkins found himself in foul trouble again. There were defense lapses and offensive miscues. It wasn't easy. Boston led by 6 points (100-94) with 1 minute 12 seconds remaining in regulation, before collapsing. The Celtics trailed by a basket with less than two minutes left in overtime and needed a defensive stop. But none of the specifics really mattered to Doc Rivers and the players. All they wanted was a positive result, something to put the season back on track. They will worry about the details today at practice before weekend games against Utah and Cleveland.
