Pierce with Dramatic Comeback:Boston Comes Up Big on 'D", Wins 98-88

Boston's somewhat flaky defense has actually become an important asset thus far in these NBA finals, holding KObe Bryant to just 9-26 shooting. Their defense won them the game along with an emotional second half surge highlighting Paul Pierce's heroic return/ Paul Pierce shook off a sprained knee in dramatic fashionafter whisking to the locker room in a wheelchair, reminiscent of injured Willis Reed's return in game seven of the 1970 NBA finals. His return re-sparked the Celtics' drivewith 5:04 left in the third quarter. Though Garnet had thirteen rebounds, he was just three for thirteen in the second half. Pierce came back to make two three pointers in just a 22 second span. The dramatic return performance gave Boston a a 75-71 lead where they dominated from then on. Though Bryant(scored 24 points) inssited he had some good looks but was just out of rythum, instant replay shows many of his shots being contested by swarming Boston defenseseemingly coming from out of nowhere. Los Angeles choked offensively in the fourth quarter and there are going to be some close games ahead. Phil Jackson now has an idea of where Boston will attack defensively and is expected to make major adjustments. It's anybody's series right now.