Ball is in Pierce's hands

Celtic Allan Ray drives between the Magic's Dwight Howard (left) and Grant Hill during first-half action in Orlando. Ray finished with 3 points in the loss. (KEVIN KOLCZYNSKI/REUTERS)

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Danny Ainge has one request of Paul Pierce for the upcoming summer -- that the Celtics captain devote himself solely to rehabbing, recovering, and refurbishing for the 2007-08 season. In other words, when Jerry Colangelo calls wondering whether Pierce wants to try out for the US team for the Olympic qualifier, just say, "Thanks, but no thanks."

"I am going to let Paul make the final decision," Ainge, executive director of basketball operations, said before last night's game with the Magic. "I'm OK with what he decides, either way, but I'd like to see him work as hard as he can to get better. I'd like to see him make a 100 percent commitment to the Boston Celtics. But it's his call."

What about it, Paul?

"I can't comment on that," Pierce said. "I have to speak to my agent first." Pierce made the trip here, the only one of the many injured players to do so.

Pierce did not participate in the training sessions leading up to last summer's World Championships because of left elbow surgery.

It's not known whether the elbow, which is bothering Pierce again to the point where he is done for the season, again will require surgery, but Ainge said he did not anticipate that. Several of the chosen 24 for the US national team also skipped the training sessions, mostly for personal reasons. Michael Redd got married. Chauncey Billups became a father.

This summer, the US needs to finish first or second in the qualifier, to be held in Las Vegas in late August and early September, to qualify for Beijing. Pierce is still on the team, but after this season, in which he missed 35 games, it is understandable Ainge wants his captain to make the Celtics his No. 1 priority.

Playoffs? What a concept! The Magic officially clinched a playoff spot -- their first since 2003 -- by beating the Celtics, 88-86, last night before 17,451 Hooterville faithful at Amway Arena. It almost didn't happen. Orlando led by 17 with 6:44 left, then scored 3 points the rest of the way, all on free throws, as the Celtics closed within a point. But two late Boston possessions ended up in blocked shots, and a gallant comeback (Boston outscored Orlando, 27-10, in the fourth) ended up short.

"Our guys really competed down the stretch," coach Doc Rivers said. "That would have been a great win. I told our team at halftime to make them earn getting into the playoffs. They deserve to go, but make them earn it."

The last time Orlando was in the postseason, Rivers was the coach and the Magic blew a 3-1 lead against Detroit.

Last night marked the return of Al Jefferson, who had missed the last six games (DNP-Wait Until We Clinch The Second Worst Record) but was ready to go against the Magic. "He said after the Milwaukee game that he felt pretty good," said Rivers. Jefferson was put into the starting lineup and, considering he hadn't played or practiced in a couple weeks, looked a lot like the old Al, collecting 28 points in 38 minutes. Delonte West had 19 points.

The Celtics trailed by 19 after three. The Magic then shot 3 of 12 from the field and had 10 turnovers in the fourth quarter to nearly hand over the game.

Dwight Howard had 10 points and 14 rebounds, but he also missed eight free throws, three in the final minute to keep the Celtics' hopes alive.

Hedo Turkoglu had 20 points and the two blocks on the Celtics' last two possessions.

It turned out Kevinn Pinckney played his final game for the 2006-07 Celtics Friday night against the Bucks, when he went 17 minutes in Boston's heartbreaking 104-102 loss. The Celtics did not re-sign the kid to a second 10-day contract, although not because they didn't like him. "Our thoughts were that we could bring in another guy for a 10-day," Rivers said. "In fact, I thought we might have one [last night]. But I liked Kevinn a lot." Rivers said he thought Pinckney might get a chance to play for the Celtics again in Summer League action. As for another newcomer for the final two games, Ainge said, "We mentioned some names, but it doesn't make any sense at this point." He said that he, too, liked Pinckney, but he didn't see any point bringing the kid back "so we would pay him to sit on the bench." . . . The Celtics wanted to pay special attention to Grant Hill -- and for good reason. Hill was averaging a shade more than 20 points a game in the first three meetings against the Celtics but 14.0 points a game against everyone else. Hill had 16 last night . . . Rivers played maitre d' Saturday, having the Celtics over to his palatial Winter Park digs for a barbecue.

Peter May can be reached at P_May@globe.com.