Pierce says he can play psychological war better than Raptors GM Ujiri

The Washington Wizards drew first blood in their first-round series against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, much to the delight of Paul Pierce. 

Pierce led all scorers with 20 points, shooting an impressive 7-of-10 from the floor, adding to his even better verbal game. He and Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri have been trading shots in the media, but Pierce - never lacking self-confidence - believes he's got a step up on the executive.

"Typical Ujiri," Pierce said about the Raptors' GM's "it" comment before the game, which NBA commissioner Adam Silver did not find appropriate. "You heard what he said last year when I was in Brooklyn. I could really care less. I think I can play the psychological war a little bit better than him." 

So far through eight playoff games in two years against the Raptors, Pierce is right. He's villain No. 1 in Toronto, and he's loving every minute of it. 

"You've just got to embrace it," Pierce said. "It's that I'm a bad guy. Everybody knows I'm a good guy, I mean off the court. That's just the role you portray to media on the court, on the road. Everybody is booing you. No one likes you. I embrace it. It fuels me, truthfully." 

And that's why he's The Truth: He backs the talk up. And Pierce knows the Raptors have to come out strong Tuesday, or face extinction again in the opening round.

"It takes the pressure off us and puts it on them now," Pierce said. "We didn't get discouraged when they tied it up (in the fourth quarter). We just stayed confident with each other." 

Pierce outscored the Raptors in overtime. The truth hurts.