HERO
Paul Pierce.
The Celtics all-star had to wait 10 pro seasons to make an appearance in the NBA Finals. But he looked like a winner, scoring 22 points and playing smothering defense on L.A.’s Kobe Bryant.
ZEROS
Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol.
On an off night for Bryant, teammates Odom, above, and Gasol failed to pick up the slack. Both looked small and timid, taking only three shots between them in the fourth quarter. What’s the word L.A. coach Phil Jackson uses? Weenie.
WINNING TIME
Putting on the hurt.
The Celtics trailed 62-58 with 6 minutes, 52 seconds left in the third quarter when Pierce was carried to the locker room with a knee injury. Boston promptly responded with a 9-2 run. Pierce came back. The Lakers did not.
X’S AND O’S
Slowing an MVP.
Boston showed no fear of Bryant, with either Pierce or James Posey contesting every shot by the Lakers’ superstar, forcing him to take 26 field-goal attempts to score 24 points.
THE SCENE
Star-studded crew.
Wedged in the arena’s crowded freight elevator minutes before tipoff, there was some precious cargo: Bill Russell, Julius Erving and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “Tall guys coming through,” Dr. J shouted as the doors opened. Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post
