INQUIRER Sports

DETROIT -- The Boston Celtics rallied to beat the Detroit Pistons 89-81 Friday, advancing to the National Basketball Association finals for the first time in 21 years.

The Celtics trailed 68-60 to start the final quarter before out scoring Detroit 29-13 in the fourth to win the semi-final series in six games.

The Celtics will face the Los Angeles Lakers in the finals which begins Thursday in Boston.

Paul Pierce had 27 points, Kevin Garnett had 16 points and Ray Allen added 17 points for Boston who have not met the Lakers in the finals since 1987.

Kendrick Perkins had seven points and seven rebounds and also made a crucial shot block in the final minute to help blunt the Pistons' late rally.

Pierce iced the victory by making one of two free throws with 30.7 left to give Boston a seven-point lead.