"Well, we wanted to go back home, but we didn't want to play," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "You know what I mean? But now we have to go play, and we earned that right.
"That's why the regular season is so important. We fought for it all year. We have Game 6 at home, and that's not a bad place to be."
The Lakers finished with a 10-1 home playoff record this season, the only blemish the Celtics' incredible comeback win in Game 4. The Celtics, however, are 12-1 at home in the postseason and are 3-0 overall against the Lakers at home. No NBA team ever has overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a championship. Boston is going for its 17th championship.
"It's a tough loss tonight, a tough one to swallow," Pierce said. He made 10 of 22 shots and 16 of 19 free throws, dished out 8 assists, and grabbed 6 rebounds in 47 minutes 58 seconds. The NBA passed out MVP ballots to select media last night who undoubtedly would have named Pierce the winner had Boston won the game.
"[Pierce] was terrific," Rivers said. "I thought he was really aggressive to the basket, getting to the foul line 19 times tells you that - I thought he really went for it, if you want to put it that way."
"I was just trying to make plays. That's all I was trying to do, take advantage of my opportunities," said Pierce, who has been plagued by a knee sprain suffered in Game 1.
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant had 25 points while forwards Lamar Odom (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Pau Gasol (19 points, 13 rebounds) added important contributions.
Celtics center Kendrick Perkins missed the game with a left shoulder strain that will require an MRI in Boston. Point guard Rajon Rondo, who has been hampered by a bone bruise in his left ankle, played only 14 minutes, and only 11 seconds in the fourth quarter. Ray Allen had only 16 points and fouled out with 16 seconds left.
Rivers said the limited playing time was because the second-year player has been struggling.
Just like the game before, the Celtics opened poorly and were trailing, 39-22, at the end of the first quarter. But after outscoring the Lakers, 30-16, in the second, Boston went into halftime down only 55-52.
