Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce (center) works under the net as Los Angeles Lakers center-forward Pau Gasol (left) and center Andrew Bynum defend during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Sunday, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (AFP)

BOSTON – Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant repeatedly scorched the nets, traded baskets and jostled for postseason supremacy as the NBA finals swayed with each flick of their wrists.

As tensions escalated and emotions flared, as is usually the case in the NBA finals, some of the solo efforts dissolved. When it mattered most, Pierce had teammates to help him. Bryant was a capable but lone gunslinger.

Pierce’s backup came in refreshing form as Kevin Garnett hit a turnaround jumper, Rajon Rondo skied over Bryant to tip in a Pierce miss and Tony Allen emphatically blocked a Pau Gasol shot.

The final “Beat L.A.” chant from TD Garden this season will end on a harmonious note. After Boston’s 92-86 victory in Game 5 of the finals on Sunday, the Celtics are one win from lifting an 18th championship banner to their decorated rafters.

The series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 6, and if necessary Game 7, with the Celtics holding a 3-2 series lead. After the Celtics won Game 2, cameras caught Pierce proclaiming that the series would not return to Los Angeles.

The Celtics lost the next game in Boston, so for Pierce’s sake and because of his doing, it now will return to Los Angeles. Pierce had 27 points and brought himself closer to a second championship in three years.

“That was a rumor. They said I said that?” Pierce said with a mischievous grin when asked about his prediction. “I wasn’t being cocky about it,” he added. “I was being confident in my team.”

Bryant delivered timely retorts to Pierce’s baskets and registered a game-high 38 points, scoring half of those in a one-man performance in the third quarter.

“I’ve forgotten about it,” a ho-hum Bryant said afterward, with his face in his palm and his thoughts on Game 6.

Garnett’s presence was felt everywhere, and he contributed 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals. Rondo had 18 points and 8 assists, and Boston dominated inside, outscoring the Lakers by 46-32 in the lane.

NBA Finals on BTV and Solar TV
The complete schedule:
Game 1 LA Lakers 103, Boston Celtics 89
Game 2 Boston Celtics 103, LA Lakers 94
Game 3 LA Lakers 91, Boston Celtics 84
Game 4 Boston Celtics 96, LA Lakers 89
Game 5 Boston Celtics 92, LA Lakers 86
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Game 6 Wednesday (June 16)
9 a.m. – Boston at LA Lakers
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(Boston Celtics lead series, 3-2)