"Everything got canceled" - Paul Pierce reveals how Kobe Bryant ruined Celtics' plans to celebrate winning the NBA Finals in LA

Former NBA star and Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce shared how Kobe Bryant ruined their plans to party in Game 5 of the 2008 NBA Finals. In the late 2000s, the rivalry between the Celtics and the LA Lakers was re-ignited. Thanks to the brilliance of Bryant for leading the team back to the grandest stage and the Celtics, for forming a Big 3.

The odds were against the Lakers during the series as Boston had more star power. In Game 5, the Celtics had a chance to close out the series and celebrate in LA.

However, Bryant had other plans and didn't want the Celtics to celebrate in his city. He finished the game with 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Defensively, he was locked in as he had five steals and sealed the win.

"The mentality was, we had 40 bottles of Moët ready, we had a club reservation, we had dinner reservations. Everything got canceled," Pierce said. "I was ready to close. I was envisioning the champagne, the club, the dinner, everything. Pop in LA."

"Who don't want to win it in LA and party that night, then bounce?"

Luckily for the Celtics, they still won the title that year. The team wrapped up the series in six games and they had their championship celebration at Boston. Pierce was named the Finals MVP of the series.

However, Bryant and the Lakers would avenge their loss and win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010.

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Paul Pierce believes the Celtics should wrap up the series tonight

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The Celtics are back in the NBA Finals and have a chance to win banner No. 18 against the Dallas Mavericks. Boston has the upper hand as they have a 3-1 lead coming into Game 5. In Game 4, they were dominated by the Mavs on both ends of the floor, which ruined their momentum.

Ahead of Game 5, Paul Pierce thinks that the Celtics should end the series tonight, while the series takes place in Boston.

"I think it's a 10 for Boston. I think they gotta get the job done here on their home court. You don't want to give them any hope. Now, the momentum shifts to Dallas if the Celtics lose on their home court," Pierce said.

According to Pierce, it's a must-win series for the Celtics. Going back to Dallas will ruin the momentum the Boston squad has coming into the series.

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