Hoops Habit
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The top 10 moments of Paul Pierce’s NBA career

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) waves to the crowd after a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) waves to the crowd after a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul Pierce
Feb 1, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

4. 2003 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals

Boston’s 2003 playoff run would end in the second round at the hands of the New Jersey Nets, but Pierce made sure their first round series — an six-game upset over the 3-seeded Indiana Pacers — was memorable in its own right.

In a crucial Game 4 at home, with the Celtics leading 2-1 in the series, it didn’t seem like Pierce could smell the blood in the water. Ron Artest held him to just five points in the first half and Boston trailed by 12 at the break.

But in the second half, it was all Paul Pierce, who finished the game with 37 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. He dropped 32 in the second half, scoring 15 straight points for the Celtics at one point and providing the NBA world with an infamous trash talk exchange with Al Harrington.

With the two jawing back and forth, Pierce capped off Boston’s 37-point third quarter with a three-pointer right in Harrington’s mug. The Celtics went up 3-1 in the series with the Game 4 win, eventually finishing off the first round upset in Game 6.

Their season would end in a sweep in the Eastern Conference semis, but that Game 4 performance was an early sign that a young killer with a penchant for hurling daggers at pivotal moments was about to be let loose for the rest of his career.

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