BOSTON, March 6 (UPI) -- Paul Pierce scored six of his 30 points in overtime Tuesday, pushing the Boston Celtics to a 97-92 victory over Houston and their fifth straight win.
Pierce made only 9-of-21 shots from the field, but hit 11-of-12 from the foul line to help bring the Celtics pull within a game of idle Philadelphia for the lead in the Atlantic Division.
Houston's Goran Dragic hit a jumper with 6 seconds left in the fourth period to force overtime. The Rockets never led in the extra period and suffered their fourth straight loss in the opener of a five-game road trip.
Ray Allen added 21 points, while Kevin Garnett had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics
Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry both had 18 for the Rockets, who had a five-point lead heading into the fourth period.
