5 greatest moments of Paul Pierce’s NBA career

3.  Pierce totals 41 versus Cleveland for second-most in Celtics’ playoff history

Over the course of their title run, the Celtics faced several challenges. After narrowly escaping the Atlanta Hawks in seven games, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers awaited the Big Three. Through four games, the series was tied at two. Only home teams had won throughout the entire series. The reigning Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers were looking for another deep playoff run. In Game 6, Cleveland held to Boston to 69 points (2008 playoff low) at Quicken Loans Arena.

If Boston needed one player to step up in Game 7, it was Pierce. He responded by pouring in 41 points on just 11 field goals, going 11-of-12 from the free throw line. The next highest scoring Celtic in Game 7 was Kevin Garnett with 13 points. However, Pierce was not the highest scoring player in that contest. His opponent, LeBron James, scored 45 points in a losing effort. Boston outscored Cleveland in three out of the four quarters en route to its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since the 2001-02 season.

Later, the Celtics took down the Detroit Pistons in six games to clinch its first finals berth since 1986. Pierce’s performance was good enough for the second-highest point total in Boston’s long playoff history. Pierce single-handily took the roof off of the TD Garden. Fans were treated to an epic series win and a trip to the NBA Finals. Paul’s heroics were just beginning in the 2008 playoffs.