Pierce, Celtics return to L.A.

Associated Press

waltham, mass.

Paul Pierce is excited to return to the NBA finals and his hometown for the next round in the league’s greatest rivalry.

Boston’s best player isn’t exactly thrilled that Los Angeles’ welcoming committee includes Ron Artest, a physical, tenacious defender.

“He likes to bang you,” Pierce said Monday, “grab you, hold you, pull your shorts down. He’s going to try anything.”

The NBA’s past two champions will go for another title beginning Thursday night when the Celtics face the Lakers in front of an array of Hollywood stars and, very likely, a large number of Pierce’s friends and family who will root against their local team.

Boston’s captain cherishes that support, though it comes with a price.

“It’s always special just to be a part of the finals,” he said. “To do it in a place where I grew up, it makes it even more special. The only negative thing about it is tickets for me. I mean, it’s going to be pretty expensive.”

That was a small inconvenience two years ago when Pierce won his first NBA title in 10 seasons as the Celtics beat the Lakers in six games. Boston clinched it with a 131-92 win at home for its ninth championship in 11 finals matchups with the Lakers.

But Artest didn’t join the Lakers until last July.

Pierce averaged 18.3 points per game in the regular season, and 19.1 over the first three rounds in the postseason. He averaged 24.3 in the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic, collecting 31 points and 13 rebounds in the clincher.

But he scored just 13 points per game as Boston and Los Angeles split their two-game season series.

“I matched up with him the last 10, 11 years. He’s one of the best defenders I’ve ever played against,” Pierce said of Artest. “He’ll try anything just to try to get into his opponent’s head. But I think just from playing against him over the years I’ve become used to the things that he tries to do and I just try to go out there and play my game, not really get into the antics with him.”

Artest relieves Kobe Bryant of the burden of defending the opponent’s best scorer.

“He’s been perfect because it’s allowed Kobe not to have to guard the best player every night,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “He’s as fresh as I’ve ever seen him in the playoffs, and I think it’s due to Ron Artest.”