Paul Pierce Does It Again, Celtics Shoot Down Hawks

How do you follow up a 36 point, 9 rebound performance of which 22 of those points come in the fourth quarter? Easy, score 34 points, go 15-16 from the line, and hit the game winning shot with 0.5 seconds remaining on the clock to take down a previously undefeated team. It's just another night in the life of Paul Pierce - one of the best clutch shooters in the NBA.

Kevin Garnett opened up the post-game press conference by saying, "The last play was drawn up 'get the ball to Paul Pierce, get the hell out the way. Superman is in the booth, let's go home.' Ain't nothin' else to ask. There's nothin' else to ask. That was the play and if ya'll don't believe that ask Doc Rivers he'll say the same exact thing."

If Paul Pierce is Superman, then damnit I'm Lois Lane. The man crush status on Paul Pierce is through the roof right now. I mean, I'd take a bullet for the guy. Obviously not in the head or something fatal, but I mean, if I knew in advance that a bullet was heading for Paul Pierce I'd definitely consider diving in front and shoving my arm or leg in the way... under a few minor circumstances.

1.) I wouldn't die. It's a crush, I'm not in love with him.

2.) I wouldn't have to get that part of my body amputated. Being short is tough enough, being short with one arm or leg would put me over the edge.

3.) If I break a bone, I get my cast autographed by the entire Boston Celtics 2007-08 championship team... Including Brian Du, the Asian athletic trainer.

4.) Season tickets courtesy of the Boston Celtics, courtside. I know what you're thinking, "selfish", well I just took a bullet for the guy and potentially saved the season for the Celtics. If anyone deserves season tickets, it's me.

5.) Anyone who has been to a Celtics game knows the whole "Heroes Among Us" segment they do once a game. Umm hero? Yeah, that would be this guy right over here. Yeah the one who took a bullet for your franchise player? I want to be able to walk out on crutches, leg injury or not, and tip my hat to the crowd. The bottom line is everyone deserves a standing ovation at least once in their life.

Since the playoffs started last year, Pierce has been nothing short of the MVP of this league. That's a span of about 35 games. The numbers don't speak for themselves, but only a fool would base a player on stats alone. There's a reason every fan in the TD BankNorth Garden chants "M.V.P." when Pierce goes to the line. It's because the guy gives 110% every game and comes through every time he is asked to. I could go on forever on clutch shots Pierce has made throughout the course of his career. Pierce has logged over 90 minutes in the past two games. 90:33 out of a possible 96 minutes is a pretty ridiculous amount for any player in the league.

Lost in the Paul Pierce love fest was an impressive performance by Kevin Garnett, as he dropped 25 points and grabbed 12 boards. I've never seen a guy run around the court with more energy and excitement then Kevin Garnett. I mean, the guy literally gets on his hands and knees and yells in the middle of the game. There is no doubt in my mind that he blacks out during parts of the game. An excitement black out? Again, not sure, I can only assume these things. You could go up to Kevin Garnett and ask him about half of the things he does while being on the court and he might have no idea what you're talking about until you show him video.

The Hawks are definitely a legitimate threat in the East. I mean, they could have easily won this game tonight if not for some last second heroics by Paul "I'm going to win this game by driving to the hoop, taking a step back jumper, or draining a three in your face" Pierce. Joe Johnson is a beast, and will continue to be for years to come. To think that the Hawks put up this fight without one of their starters, Josh Smith, is scary. Honestly though, the Hawks went 13-22 from three point land- numbers you can't expect on a nightly basis. On top of that, the refereeing in this game was absolutely atrocious. Do the refs have a death wish on Tommy Heinsohn? They need to realize that Tommy gets a little too rambunctious during games, especially games that are poorly refereed. The Rajon Rondo foul on Mike Bibby's three point attempt was a scam, and Paul Pierce blocked the you know what out of Joe Johnson near the end of the game and was called for a foul.

Paul Pierce told Greg Dickerson after the game, "Once I saw Al Horford on me I knew I had the advantage."

Translation? "Al Horford, remember Game 3 of the playoffs last year when you hit a shot and started talking trash to me while I was on the ground? Yeah, well, kiss the ring bitch."