Paul Pierce says the Celtics have to beat the Cavs in six games

"The pressure is on Boston."

May 23, 2018

1 minute to read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7tNhMl-udw

Paul Pierce said the pressure is on Boston for Game 5 of the Celtics-Cavs series.

“The pressure is on Boston because if you lose at home, you’re not that good on the road right now,” Pierce said on ESPN’s “The Jump” Tuesday. “If you go back to Cleveland for a closeout game, I don’t see it happening.”

The Celtics and Cavaliers are tied at two games apiece after both teams defended home court through the first four games. Game 5 will be Wednesday night at the TD Garden, where the Celtics are undefeated this postseason. Even if the Celtics win Game 5, however, Pierce said they can’t count on winning Game 7 at home.

“The Celtics have to win in six,” he said. “They have to win in six. They have to win this game and they have to get the road win in Cleveland. I’m just not comfortable with having LeBron in Game 7 — no matter where it is . . . Unless you have the Truth on your side, I’m not comfortable with that.”

Pierce was a member of the last team to beat James in a Game 7. En route to their 2008 NBA championship, the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers, 97-92, behind a 41-point performance from Pierce in the conference semifinals. James has since won every Game 7 he’s faced, including a 105-101 victory over the Pacers in the first-round of the playoffs this season.