“I’m going to guard Kobe,” Pierce told Celtics coach Doc Rivers. “Let me guard him." Rivers obliged, and Pierce’s defense on the league’s MVP helped the Celtics pull off the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. Pierce didn’t completely shut down Bryant, but he did make him work.
The most remarkable thing about Pierce’s defensive work on Bryant was that he did most of it without fouling. Bryant got to the line just 6 times in Game 4, compared to 18 trips in Game 3. For the third time in the series, Bryant was out-played on both ends of the floor by Los Angeles native Pierce. The NBA’s MVP had just 7 points by the end of the third quarter. He finished with 17 points and 10 assists but was just 6 of 19 from the floor. Pierce finished with 20 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. He was 6 of 13 from the field and 8 of 9 from the line. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.
--Today's Boston Globe
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