“You know, it’s what we talk about,’’ Pierce said of drawing a charging call that set up the clinching possession. “I mean, if the charge is there the coach wants us to step up and take the charge. That’s pretty much the only thing I could’ve done in that situation. It was like Iguodala coming at you full speed, he’s so athletic, that once he gets in the air, I’m not going to block his shot. So, I just try to stand there and take the charge.’’

The foul gave the ball to the Celtics, Rajon Rondo concluding their next possession with a shot clock buzzer-beating jumper for a 109-105 lead with 9.6 seconds remaining.

“I’m just doing the things I know that I can do and just try to do them within our system,’’ Pierce said. “We move the ball well and we get the ball to the guys who have it going. You know, down the stretch, Rondo was really a key for us, finding open guys, and I just tried to stay within the offense and play through that.’’

Said Kevin Garnett, “[Last] night’s game was Paul Pierce’s will on the game. When we needed a bucket, he got buckets. He got me easy shots. He got [Eddie ] House easy shots. They tried to put a press on us, he threw right over the top. He was directing. When your captain is going like that and your team leader is going like that, in the flow. You know, he gave everybody insurance. I mean, you just have to follow and listen.’’

Pierce played the entire second half and finished with 43 minutes.

“I respect the coach and his decisions, and if he takes me out he takes me out,’’ Pierce said. “I mean, I never want to come out.’’

Said Doc Rivers: “I played him way too many minutes but that happens once in a while. I told him I’d make it up with a 25-minute game somewhere down the road.’’

Frank Dell’Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com.