Los Angeles  - The short-handed Boston Celtics rode the hot hand of Paul Pierce to shoot them over the finish line.

Pierce poured in 21 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, and the Celtics beat the Miami Heat 112-108 on Wednesday night to clinch their second straight Atlantic Division title.

Los Angeles  - Paul Pierce stepped up, and the Boston Celtics tightened up the Eastern Conference race.

Pierce scored 21 of his 29 points in the second half, and the Celtics bounced the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 105-94 on Friday night in a battle of the East's elite.

"For us to get this win is huge," Pierce said, "because we're both playing for first-place in the Eastern Conference and for home-court advantage."