Forget Derrick Rose or Ben Gordon.

As far as some Celtics are concerned, Kirk Hinrich has come from nowhere — OK, the bench — to have the biggest target on his back.

“We first have to stop Kirk Hinrich,” Celtics center Kendrick Perkins said. “He just can’t keep coming in and hurting us and giving them a spark. We shut Kirk Hinrich down and we can close out the series.”

Vinny Del Negro admitted Hinrich would have played more than 31 minutes in Game 5 if he hadn’t reopened a cut above his right eye first suffered March 31 at Indiana that again required stitches to close. Hinrich, who scored 19 points Tuesday, is averaging 12.2 points on 48.8 percent shooting in the series.

“He has been fantastic,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

Miller time: Tyrus Thomas had 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks through three quarters before sitting the entire fourth quarter and playing 26 seconds in overtime. Del Negro continues to favor the veteran savvy of Brad Miller down the stretch.

Del Negro pulled Thomas after Glen Davis beat Thomas downcourt in transition defense for a fast-break layup, foul on Hinrich and three-point play.

Like Hinrich, Miller sported stitches afterward.

“We have a lot of guys getting head shots this series and there hasn’t been a flagrant,” Miller said.

Minute man: Gordon played 51 of 53 minutes despite waiting until an hour before tipoff to decide to play on his strained left hamstring.

“Once he gets tight, it’s hard to get him loose again and he kept saying he was fine so I was fine with him being out there because he’s such a threat,” Del Negro said. “He didn’t shoot well, but he draws so much attention.”

Layups: Perkins became the first player with at least 19 rebounds and seven blocks in a playoff game since Tim Duncan accomplished it against the Nets in the 2003 Finals.