WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) – The Boston Celtics plan to take the ball inside during the playoffs, even though Indiana’s physical style of play could cause problems.

The Pacers open the best-of-seven first round series at home on Saturday after finishing four games ahead of the Celtics in the Eastern Conference.

“You’ve got to get good shots in the paint to win the game,” Paul Pierce, Boston’s leading scorer, said Thursday. “We can’t just keep relying on 3-pointers. We’re going to have to take it in the paint hard.”

That means going against the tough front line of Ron Artest, Al Harrington and Jermaine O’Neal.

“He’s definitely a physical defender and one of the better defenders in the league,” Pierce said of Artest. “He’s tough one-on-one. If he guards me, we’ll probably run him off screens and rolls. Just change up in a lot of ways, because you have to attack him. If you get him on the move, you’ve got a better chance.”

Boston guard Tony Delk is concerned about another Pacer big man.

“Jermaine has had some big regular-season games against us, so we have to make sure to stop him,” Delk said.

Boston starts a front line of Antoine Walker, Eric Williams and Tony Battie. Two players acquired during the season, center Mark Blount and forward Grant Long, also contributed during the regular season.

The Celtics made the playoffs last season for the first time in seven years and the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 14 years.

Boston led the conference finals 2-1 over New Jersey but lost the last three games.

“I think our playoff experience last year certainly helps,” Celtics coach Jim O’Brien said after practice Thursday. “It’s very valuable, being able to understand the highs and lows of a playoff series.”

The Celtics finished the regular season with a 44-38 record after beating Detroit 99-92 Wednesday night. The Pistons led the East at 50-32, but both teams rested key players in the finale.

“I think I’m a lot stronger this year going into the playoffs,” Pierce said.

The Celtics and Pacers each won their last two games of the regular season. But Indiana led Boston in the standings almost all season and has homecourt advantage in the first round.

“I don’t think they are taking us lightly,” Pierce said. “We’re a team with two All-Stars and … went to the Eastern Conference finals last year.”

AP-ES-04-17-03 1856EDT