NBA: Boston 97, Cleveland 92

Boston -- Paul Pierce's 41 points led the Boston Celtics past the Cleveland Cavaliers 97-92 Sunday in the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.

LeBron James scored 45 points for Cleveland.

The Celtics' Game 7 victory sends them to the conference title series against Detroit, beginning Tuesday in Boston. It will be Boston's first appearance in a conference final since 2002, when they fell to the New Jersey Nets.

Pierce hit 13 of 23 field goals, including four from three-point range. Kevin Garnett added 13 points and 13 rebounds.

James hit 14 of 29 shots and Delonte West added 15 points for the Cavs.

Boston has won all eight of its home games and has lost the six games it has played on the road during the 2008 playoffs.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.