Defining moments: Paul Pierce beats LeBron in Game 7 at TD Garden

Defining moments: Paul Pierce beats LeBron in Game 7 at TD Garden originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston

Sometimes you need a monster performance from your best player to win a playoff series – especially when you’re facing one of the all-time greats.

Just ask Paul Pierce, whose Boston Celtics were tasked with defending the Cleveland Cavaliers and 23-year-old LeBron James in Game 7 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 18, 2008.

James was at the height of his powers in this game, racking up 45 points on 14-of-29 shooting, while also adding five rebounds, six steals and two assists. But Boston’s own superstar matched King James blow for blow. Pierce scored 41 points, making 4 of 6 3-point shots, while also contributing five assists and two steals.

“I was all in, LeBron was all in, and neither of us wanted our teams to lose tonight,” Pierce said after the game. “Two heavyweights attacking, throwing body blows.”

Pierce’s most iconic play didn’t even make the stat sheet: With less than a minute remaining and Boston leading by three, Pierce dove to the floor in front of James to corral a loose ball, call a timeout and gain possession of ball to the Celtics, who managed a 97–92 victory to win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

“Tonight was basically getting the ball to Paul Pierce and getting out of the way,” Pierce’s teammate Kevin Garnett marveled in his postgame press conference. “I don’t need you guys to ask me questions. That was the game plan. That’s what we did.”

Celtics fans know what happened from there: The C’s dispatched the Detroit Pistons in six games in the Eastern Finals, then defeated the rival Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals to clinch their first championship since 1986.

Check out all the highlights from the epic game in the video player above, courtesy of VA New England.