Pierce Makes Good on Second Chance

Paul Pierce squandered a chance to win the game at the end of regulation but wasn’t about to waste a second opportunity.

Pierce scored a season-high 38 points, made the game-winning jumper with 23 seconds left and deflected Tayshaun Prince’s three-point attempt on Detroit’s last possession, helping the Boston Celtics beat the Pistons 115-113 in double overtime Friday night at Boston.

The Celtics won for the sixth time in seven games since trading for Antoine Walker and maintained a three-game lead over Philadelphia in the Atlantic Division.

Boston had chances to win the game at the end of regulation and the first overtime, but Pierce missed a 15-footer as time expired in regulation, and Ricky Davis, who finished with 23 points, misfired on a turnaround jumper at the buzzer in the first overtime.

Pierce, who also had 12 rebounds, made the winning shot over Rasheed Wallace in the second overtime and then got a piece of Prince’s shot with six seconds left.

“This was a good win despite the circumstances,” Pierce said. “We showed a lot of heart. This was a really gutsy win for us and it says a lot about the team’s character.”

The Celtics ended a five-game losing skid against Detroit, winning against the Pistons for the first time since a 99-92 victory at home on April 16, 2003. The Pistons lost their fourth consecutive road game and have dropped four of five overall.

*

Minnesota 101, Orlando 96 -- Kevin Garnett scored five of his 25 points in the last minute to lift the Timberwolves at Orlando, Fla.

Garnett’s three-point play with 52.9 seconds left broke a 95-95 tie. Troy Hudson, who made three consecutive three-pointers in the middle of the fourth quarter, and Latrell Sprewell had 17 points apiece for the Timberwolves, who won for the fourth time in five games.

*

Houston 127, Phoenix 107 -- Tracy McGrady scored 38 points and Yao Ming had 27 points and a career-high 22 rebounds, helping the Rockets rally from a 14-point third-quarter deficit at Phoenix.

Houston began the fourth quarter trailing by four points, but with McGrady scoring jumpers and the 7-foot-6 Yao taking command inside, the Rockets outscored the Suns, 41-17, and finished with their highest point total of the season.

*

Dallas 112, Milwaukee 110 -- Dirk Nowitzki, in his second game back from a knee injury, had 29 points and nine rebounds, and Jason Terry tied his season high with 28 points at Milwaukee.

Michael Redd led the Bucks with 33 points, but missed a fadeaway jumper with two seconds left that would have tied the score.

*

Indiana 101, Golden State 83 -- Stephen Jackson, scratched from the starting lineup because he missed a morning shootaround, came off the bench late in the first quarter, made his first four shots and finished with 22 points to lead the Pacers at Indianapolis.

*

Philadelphia 112, Charlotte 80 -- Chris Webber played one of his best games for the 76ers, contributing 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. The team improved to 4-4 since acquiring Webber in a six-player trade from Sacramento on Feb. 23.

*

Chicago 100, Seattle 97 -- Ben Gordon scored 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, including a runner with 12.1 seconds left that put the Bulls ahead for good at Seattle for their third victory in a row.

*

Memphis 94, Utah 82 -- Behind Mike Miller’s 24 points at Salt Lake City, the Grizzlies earned their fifth victory in six games after shooting 68% from the field in the second half.

*

All-Star forward Shawn Marion, the Phoenix Suns’ leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, sat out his first game of the season against the Houston Rockets because of a bruised left knee.... The Dallas Mavericks put swingman Jerry Stackhouse, who is averaging 15.6 points off the bench, on the injured list because of a strained groin.... Houston Rocket guard Charlie Ward will require treatment for a blood clot in his leg that developed during rehabilitation from knee surgery and will be kept out of any contact drills for at least three months.... The Charlotte Bobcats put forward Gerald Wallace on the injured list because of bruised left ribs and activated Bernard Robinson from the injured list.