Pierce has all the answers

Paul Pierce has spoiled teammates and the Celtics' fan base. They now live in a basketball world where anything is possible, where no deficit down the stretch is too large, where the most difficult 3-pointers fall with ease, where pressure has no place.

No one in the Boston locker room seemed the least bit surprised by what transpired on the parquet last night at the TD Banknorth Garden. Fans who filled the arena to capacity and cheered nonstop for the final minute seemed to expect the triumphant final result. And why not? Pierce has proved he can win games with big shots. For the second night in a row, Pierce hit a clutch 3-pointer to secure a Boston win. The Celtics' 104-101 victory over the 76ers last night wasn't quite as dramatic as the overtime victory Pierce earned at the buzzer Tuesday night in Washington, but no one at the Garden complained. After all, it's not every night the captain's now customary 30-plus points come as part of a triple-double.

But when asked what he was most proud of, his 31 points, 12 rebounds, or 10 assists, Pierce said, ''The win." For most of the season, a career night by Pierce did not translate to a victory. Not true anymore. The Celtics have won two games in a row for the fifth time this season, and the first time in a back-to-back situation. They will try to win three in a row for the first time this season, at home tomorrow against the Bucks. More than anything, Pierce said he hopes his recent play gives Boston a shot at earning the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

''If we can keep it close, we feel like we're going to give ourselves a chance," said Pierce, who might well have been talking about a run at the playoffs.

''We have nothing to lose," said Pierce, who notched his first triple-double of the season and sixth of his career. ''There's no pressure on us. Nobody expects us to be in the playoffs. Nobody expects us to win these games. So, we're a loose group. We just have to go out there and play. The opportunity is in front of us. It's just how bad we want it."

Judging from last night, it looks like they want it pretty bad. With Pierce and Ryan Gomes pacing the offense and a pair of big defensive plays by Tony Allen, the Celtics staged a decisive 14-2 run over the final two minutes, erasing a 7-point deficit in the process. Although Philadelphia's Allen Iverson scored 12 of his 32 points in the fourth, the Celtics held the Sixers to 29 percent from the floor in the final quarter, clearing the way for the comeback.

When Philadelphia opened the fourth with a parade to the free throw line and took an 83-75 lead, Boston did not fold. The same was true when Kyle Korver nailed a 3-pointer to push the Sixers ahead, 97-90, with 2:20 remaining. After a timeout, Gomes dunked to start the Celtics' final run. Then, Allen stole the ball and Gomes converted two free throws.

''I was just doing what I saw worked the last game," said Gomes, who had a career-high 29 points and 11 rebounds a night after a career-best 27 points against Washington. ''I'm just trying to beat guys up and down the floor and get easy baskets, fouls, make free throws. I'm just trying to make it easy on myself and easy on my teammates. It always feels good when you get an easy shot and when you get to the free throw line. Next thing you know, you start doing the same things, and they keep forgetting [about you]."

After the free throws by Gomes, Pierce hit the first of his two 3-pointers in the closing minutes, cutting Boston's deficit to 99-97. Then, Pierce gave the Celtics the lead for good, 100-99, nailing a 3-pointer with 27.4 seconds remaining. At the other end, Allen and Pierce made sure Iverson did not get a good look at the basket when he attempted a 15-footer. Allen was credited with a block for his efforts, and then he and Pierce made their free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win.

''This group of guys, they don't give up," said Rivers, whose team trailed, 50-44, at halftime and by as many as 8 points in the third. ''They don't pout. They don't point [fingers]. They just keep thinking."

Given where they stand and where they want to go, resiliency is the best kind of character trait the Celtics can have at this point in the season.