Thomas received motivational text from Iverson before monster Game 3

Isaiah Thomas put forth one of the greatest playoff performances (among an awful lot of them) in Boston Celtics history on Friday night.

The 42-point outburst that effectively saved the Celtics' season was apparently motivated by some encouraging words from a fellow diminutive point guard.

"Allen Iverson just said, 'Keep fighting,'" Thomas told reporters after the game. "'(The Hawks) did what they were supposed to do in Atlanta, now it's time for you guys to take advantage of being at home.'"

Thomas - who said before the season that he wants to be "the best little guy to play the game" - took the message to heart. He did his best Iverson impression on a night that saw him repeatedly knife his way to the rim, shoot 15 free throws (hitting 13), and come through with multiple clutch buckets down the stretch.

He may, indeed, have taken the message too literally, taking a swing at Hawks point guard Dennis Schroder that may earn him disciplinary action from the league office.

Thomas also said he got a bit of NSFW advice from a near-identically named Hall of Fame point guard.

"Isiah Thomas just gave me a few tips I can't tell you guys about," Thomas said.

The Celtics, who cut their series deficit to 2-1 with the win Friday, will try to level things up in Game 4 on Sunday before heading back to Atlanta.