Celtics Win, Return to NBA Finals With a spectacular fourth quarter, the Boston Celtics moved forth into the NBA Finals for the first time in 21 years.
Led by Paul Pierce, the Celtics rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final period for an 89-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons, closing out the Eastern Conference Finals in six games.
The Celtics are in The Finals for the first time since 1987, when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. Looking for their 17th title, they again will face the Lakers, who are in search of their 15th championship.
Boston opened the final period by making eight of its first nine shots, turning a 70-60 deficit into an 83-76 advantage. Leading the way was Pierce, the face of the Celtics for a decade who had a three-point play, a jumper and two free throws in a 74-second span, giving the Celtics the lead for good.
Pierce scored 27 points, Ray Allen added 17 and Kevin Garnett 16 for the Celtics, avoided a Game 7 for the first time in this postseason. Pierce, Allen and Garnett all are going to The Finals for the first time in their careers.
Chauncey Billups scored 29 points and Richard Hamilton added 21 - both while nursing injuries - for the Pistons, who were 6-of-18 with six turnovers in the telling fourth quarter.
Detroit has lost in Game 6 of the East Finals each of the last three seasons.
The NBA Finals open Thursday in Boston at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
