Salmons wary of Boston Celtics' Paul Pierce's 'slump'

Paul Pierce is averaging 20.5 points per game, but he's the Celtics' third-leading scorer behind Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis and is shooting just 40 percent.

Even Celtics coach Doc Rivers has talked about Pierce's tentativeness, which is even more surprising given he's matching up against a John Salmons who is nursing a strained left groin.

"My mentality is always that this is an All-Star player, a Finals MVP player, who is one of those guys who can go off for 40 at any time," Salmons said. "We have to continue to keep a hand in his face, try to make him take as many contested shots as possible. For the most part, we've been doing that."

(chicagotribune.com)