Pierce came out of hibernation to outplay Lebron tonight.

Boston beat down Cleveland in a crucial Game 5, taking a 3-2 advantage in the series with a 120-88 victory. Boston led 50-44 at halftime after an ugly first half of basketball, in which LeBron James did not score a field goal and Game 4 hero Rajon Rondo went scoreless.

In the decisive third quarter, however, Rondo scored 14 points and Boston outscored Cleveland 30-19. After two quick Ray Allen three-pointers to start the second half put the Celtics up 12, the Cavaliers never threatened again.

LeBron James finished the game with only 15 points on 3/14 shooting and the Cavaliers combined to shoot just 41.2%. Shaquille O’Neal led Cleveland with 21 points and 4 blocks.

For the Celtics, Ray Allen’s hot shooting blazed the way– 6 of 9 on 3-point FG for 25 points-, followed by impressive performances from both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Pierce broke out of a series long slump to score 21 points and grab 11 rebounds, while Kevin Garnett added 18 points and 6 rebounds despite sitting most of the fourth quarter. Glen Davis was huge off the bench ( no pun intended), connecting on two fourth quarter and-ones on his way to 15 points.

Boston’s Game 5 blowout victory shocked both the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans into submission. It also put the Celtics on a possible collision path with Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals.

One more win, Celtics.  One more win.