With their win on Monday night, the Boston Celtics advanced to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, and Isaiah Thomas said he prepped for the Game 7 victory over the Washington Wizards by studying some vintage Celtics-Cavs footage.
"All night last night and day I watched 2008 Paul Pierce versus LeBron," Thomas told reporters after Boston's 115-105 win. "Two superstars going at it, guarding each other."
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He's referring to Game 7 of the 2008 conference semis, when James outscored Pierce 45-41, but the Celtics clinched the series at home with a 97-92 win. Boston would go on to win its 17th and most recent NBA title that spring.
Going up against the Cavaliers this time, however, the Celtics are massive underdogs - something that suits Thomas fine. He said NBA media and observers have been counting out Boston all season.
"They didn't give us a chance," he said, according to ESPN's Chris Fosberg. "They didn't give us a chance when we were down 2-0 to Chicago. We got the No. 1 seed, they didn't give us a chance. They don't ever give us a chance, and we just keep going; we don't care about what others say."