Pacers’ Rifleman Shoots Down Celtics : NBA playoffs: Person is seven of 10 on three-point shots and scores 39 points as Indiana evens series, 130-118.

Larry Bird may be the best three-point shooter in NBA history.

But while Chuck Person made playoff history Sunday at Boston by sinking an NBA-record seven three-point shots in 10 attempts, Bird could do little more than watch and grimace in pain.

Person scored 39 points to lead hot-shooting Indiana to a 130-118 victory over the Celtics. The Pacers’ second victory in 11 playoff appearances evened the best-of-five series at a game apiece and took away the Celtics’ home-court advantage.

Bird, who went to the hospital and had his back put in traction immediately after helping the Celtics win the first game Friday, obviously was hurting in pregame warm-ups.

His shooting was off from the start, but in the first half, he dived for loose balls, tumbled hard several times and scrambled for points and rebounds.

Despite Person’s 23 points, Bird’s play kept the Celtics within three points at halftime. But Bird was of little help in the second half. At one time he tried to guard Person and the Indiana forward tossed in three consecutive three-pointers.

Person broke the playoff record of six, held by Michael Cooper of the Lakers and Houston’s Vernon Maxwell.

Never at a loss for words, Person said: “I was the best player in the world for one day in my eyes. It’s been a while since I shot this well.”

Person made nine consecutive shots to keep the Pacers, who shot 57.5% from the field, in the lead most of the time. He was 15 for 24 overall.

The Pacers also had a big game from Michael Williams. He had 23 points and 10 assists and made several key shots down the stretch to thwart Celtic rallies.

Bird had 18 points and 10 assists, but he made only seven of 18 shots. He played 40 minutes and helped the Celtics pull ahead, 73-69, four minutes into the third quarter. But backup Indiana guard Vern Fleming made three baskets in a row to give the Pacers a lead they never relinquished.

“I don’t care who you would have put on Chuck, Dennis Rodman, anyone,” said teammate Reggie Miller, who was two for three on three-pointers, “nobody was going to stop him.”

Person’s full name is Chuck Connors Person. He was named after the star of the TV series, “The Rifleman.” Sunday, Person was a real sharpshooter.