--After refusing to comment for two days, Paul Pierce finally issued a statement regarding the $25,000 fine he was assessed by the league for making a "menacing gesture" in Game 3. The league evidently interpreted his signal as being gang-related.
This is the text of Pierce's statement: "I don't want to take the focus away from the playoffs. In sports, emotions run high. After playing for 10 years in Boston, I think the Celtics fans know that I am a passionate player.
"I -- 100 percent -- do not in any way promote gang violence or anything close to it. I am sorry if it was misinterpreted that way in Saturday's game.
"In fact, through my Truth Foundation, I am committed to giving back to youth groups and making sure young people have the opportunities to succeed in life. I am extremely proud of the work I have done through the foundation to provide positive influences and safe havens for inner-city kids."
--Doc Rivers had a message for fans who were seeking out space on Boston-area bridges after his team lost two straight in Atlanta.
"Don't jump," he said. "Please don't jump. I ain't going to save you, but don't jump. That's what I would tell them."
Rivers also told his players not to rely on homecourt advantage.
"I told our guys this," Rivers said, "because I could hear them in the locker room, saying, 'Hey, guys, don't worry. We go back home. Everything will be OK.' And I said, 'Listen, you've got to go make it OK. Don't just rely on going home. You've got to go make it OK.'
"And I think we will, but I don't just want to rely on that."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We showed him a different look here and there." -- James Posey, on defending Joe Johnson, who had gone for 35 points in Game 4 but made just six field goals Wednesday.
