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Pierce ready as Celtics aim to go up 2-0

Jun 8, 2008 - 3:44 PM LA Lakers at Boston, 8:30 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Paul Pierce fully expects to be in the lineup on Sunday, when the Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the NBA Finals.

Pierce sprained his right knee when he collided with teammate Kendrick Perkins midway through the third quarter of Game One on Thursday night. He was taken off the court in a wheelchair before making a dramatic return later in the quarter.

Pierce sparked the Celtics to a 98-88 victory by scoring 15 points in the third period - including back-to-back 3-pointers - after his return, and said Saturday that will he will "definitely" play in Game Two.

"I did a lot of ice and steam throughout the day (Friday)," said Pierce, who received a standing ovation when he jogged back on to the court Thursday. "Swelling is down a little. There's still some stiffness, can't quite all the way bend it like I want to, but it's definitely a step forward from (Friday)."

On Sunday, the Celtics will try grab a 2-0 lead in the first Finals matchup between the NBA's two most storied franchises since 1987. Game Three will be played in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Winners of an NBA record 16 championships, the Celtics are seeking their first title since 1996. The Lakers captured their 14th and most recent crown in 2002. The teams have combined for nearly half of the NBA's 61

championships.

Boston will look to duplicate its Game One performance against Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. The league's

reigning MVP, Bryant scored 24 points but made just 9-of-26 shots and became visibly frustrated with the Celtics' swarming defense.

Los Angeles also was outrebounded by Boston, 46-33, and received just 15 points from its usually productive bench.

The Celtics improved to 11-1 at home in the playoffs, winning a series opener for the fourth straight time.

In three games against the Celtics this season - all Boston wins - Bryant has been held to 33 percent shooting (24-of-72). But he is not worried about the past.

"This is part of playoff basketball," he said. "You have games where you lose the first one, and the second one is the one you want to get. You just go from there. It's kind of a see-saw of emotions. "But we're ready, we're focused on it. We're going to come out and play much better."