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BOSTON -- Just as boastful Chuck Person feared, it was Larry Bird who had the last word.
Boston's veteran hero, making an electrifying return in the second half, finished with 32 points Sunday to bring the Boston Celtics a 124- 121 triumph over the Indiana Pacers in decisive Game 5 of their opening- round playoff series.
The Celtics will face the defending two-time NBA champion Detroit Pistons in the second round, opening Tuesday in Boston.
Bird, who left the game in the second quarter after bruising his right cheek, returned midway through the third quarter to a roaring ovation from the sellout crowd of 14,890 at Boston Garden.
'They were pumped up and I wasn't going to let them down,' said the 34-year-old forward, who scored 12 points in the third quarter. 'I was coming back no matter what.'
Person finished with 32 points, including five 3-pointers. Williams contributed 23 points, Reggie Miller 22 and Schrempf 20.
Reggie Lewis scored 22 and Parish 21 and reserve Derek Smith played a vital role for Boston, providing physical defense on Person while also scoring 12 points.
'My job, when called upon, is to go out and attack,' said Smith. 'I just tried to stay in his (Person's) head and let him know I was going to be in his face all day long.'
Smith perfectly summed up Bird's performance: 'He came out and picked the whole team up and took us to the next round.'
The Celtics held a 116-102 lead with 5:10 to play in the fourth quarter. Indiana almost completed its comeback but Brian Shaw hit all four foul shots in the final 6.6 seconds.
'This was a storybook game,' said Person, whose boasting and bravado became a sideshow to the series. But he was gracious in defeat, saying, 'They showed why they've been a championship-calibre team for so long. I guess those (16 NBA) championship banners up there really mean something.'
After Boston took its 116-102 lead, Indiana scored 16 of the next 20 points. A foul shot by Detlef Schrempf cut the Celtics' lead to 120-118 with 29.6 seconds to play.
Boston's Kevin McHale was called for a backcourt violation with 22 seconds to play but Person missed a hurried turnaround 3-pointer with eight seconds left.
Shaw was fouled on the rebound and sank both free throws with 6.6 seconds remaining. Then, with Indiana seemingly out of contention, Person netted a 35-foot 3-pointer with 3.4 seconds to go. However, Shaw added two more free throws with 1.5 seconds left and Schrempf's full- court heave before the buzzer was far off target.
Bird left the game late in the second quarter after smacking his right cheek on the floor while diving for a loose ball. He re-entered the lineup as Indiana's Micheal Williams hit a pair of foul shots, tying the score 73-73 at 6:46. Bird helped Boston take a 100-91 lead after three quarters. The Celtics opened the fourth quarter with a 12-5 surge over the first four minutes, with Robert Parish scoring 6 points during the spurt. Ed Pinckney's 16-foot baseline jumper put Boston ahead 116- 102 with 5:10 remaining.
Person and Bird, the teams' leaders who carried on a taunting rivalry throughout the series, left the court with their arms around each other.
'He backed it up and played four great games, but this did feel sweeter because I've known Chuck for a while,' Bird said.
The Celtics advanced to the second round for the first time in three years. The Pacers were trying to win their first NBA playoff series.
'This team gained a little respect,' said Miller. 'A lot of guys stepped up and showed us something, this team is going to be around a while. We showed we can play with one of the top teams in this league.'
Indiana Coach Bob Hill took heart from his team's comeback charge.
'A lot was accomplished and I'm proud about what they did,' he said. 'It was pretty special and I think it shows this team has matured. I was impressed because most of these guys haven't played in a game at this level.'
Boston held a 46-31 rebounding advantage but committed 20 turnovers, including 8 in the final quarter, which the Pacers turned into 11 points.
The game opened at an intense pitch. The Celtics used a 12-2 run to grab a 29-21 lead with 1:32 to play, Smith sparking the surge with 6 points.
Boston held a 35-25 edge entering the second period but the Pacers gradually cut the deficit, capitalizing on Bird's departure to tie the score five times in the final 4:30 and pulling even 58-58 by halftime.