BOSTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Mike James' 3-pointer broke a tie with 50 seconds left Sunday as Boston overcame its poorest second quarter of the season to beat Philadelphia, 87-84.
James was just 1-of-5 from the field but his lone 3-pointer gave Boston an 80-77 lead.
Paul Pierce scored 31 points and Jiri Welsch added a career-high 22 for Boston.
The Celtics, who were outscored, 26-10, in the second quarter, turned around the game with a 16-0 spurt in the fourth period, taking a 75-70 lead on Pierce's jumper with 4:10 left.
The Sixers answered with a 7-0 run, grabbing a 77-75 lead on Aaron McKie's 3-pointer with 2:53 left but Welsch made a pair from the line to tie it with 2:06 to go.
McKie scored 24 points and rookie Kyle Korver added 18 for the Sixers.
