But they would have known how spectacularly self-destructive they had been, committing six turnovers and being hit with a defensive three-second violation in a span of 5:41 after a second-chance Pierce inside-out 3-pointer provided by the ever-exciting Rajon Rondo had given them that nice 9-point lead. They would have wasted an otherwise superb, professional effort with that one horrible stretch of non-thinking, non-executing basketball.
But it’s all seashells and balloons this morning, thanks to the Captain. That Pierce basket capped a very big second-half performance, giving him 32 points for the evening while serving as a reminder that, while the Heat may well have the single best player in this series, the Celtics have a few guys with glowing résumés, too.
The final play was elementary. “Just get out of the way and give Paul the ball,’’ explained Rondo.
There were people moving around elsewhere, but it was all for show.
“All fake movement,’’ acknowledged Rivers. “I had Michael Finley on the floor, so I knew they wouldn’t leave him. Rondo was down there, so they wouldn’t leave him.’’
And, of course, there was the menacing presence of the great Ray Allen on an evening when he already had 25 points, and whose four 3-pointers, including a couple of those amazing quick-release jobs that separate him from all those garden variety open shooters. Only the brain dead would leave him.
It so happens that Pierce was in his rhythm, having already scored 20 second-half points and having ended the third period with a long three.
“Coach said not to leave time on the clock,’’ Pierce explained. “When I looked up and saw two seconds, I decided to make my move. I got my little sweet spot on the right elbow.’’
