National Basketball Association

Pierce, Celtics fend of fiesty 76ers

Published Nov. 26, 2009 6:43 a.m. ET

foxsports

Paul Pierce earned a little comp time for his extra work.

Pierce, playing nearly 43 minutes, scored 27 points and drew a key charge in the closing minutes as the Boston Celtics overcame the spirited-but-undermanned Philadelphia 76ers, 113-110, on Wednesday night.

"Paul, to me, was the savior of the game," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "I played him way too many minutes, but that happens once in a while. I told him I'd make it up to him with a 25-minute game somewhere down the road."