Pierce Coming Up Big Against the Magic

BOSTON (AP) – Freed from the burden of trying to guard LeBron

James, Paul Pierce is back to his high-scoring ways.

That, plus tenacious team defense, have the Boston Celtics

rolling in the Eastern Conference finals. They swept the first two

games at the home of the Orlando Magic and now have time to rest

before Game 3 on Saturday night in Boston.

Pierce already feels revived now that he can focus more on his

offense after the Celtics beat James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in

six games in the conference semifinals.

He's averaged 25 points in the two games against the Magic after

managing just 13.5 per game in the Cleveland series.