Eric Williams and Antoine Walker nailed a pair of 3-pointers 36 seconds apart in overtime as the Boston Celtics rallied for 105-103 victory over the Clippers.
Los Angeles was 3-10 in overtime contests last season and lost its first eight, two losses shy of the NBA mark for overtime futility. Although the Clippers are much-improved, they remained winless in three overtime affairs this season after a late collpase.
Boston trailed, 77-66, entering the fourth quarter, but Paul Pierce and Walker combined for 23 points in the final 12 minutes to help force overtime.
 Antoine Walker hit an overtime three-pointer as the shot clock wound down, giving Boston the lead for good. Robert Mora/NBAE/Getty Images |
"Obviously, it's very difficult to lose Paul like that, especially in a tight game," Walker said. "We didn't lose confidence. Eric came in and made huge plays, so that was big."
Williams, a 16 percent 3-point shooter, nailed a 3-pointer from the corner and Walker followed with another to give Boston the lead for good, 102-100, with 33 seconds left.
"The guys are really tough in tight situations," Boston coach Jim O'Brien said. "It is a huge victory for us, there is no other way of loooking at it."
Elton Brand had a chance to tie it but missed two free throws with 14 seconds left.
"They felt good, looked good," Brand said. "I wish I would have hit that first one."
Tony Battie sank a pair of free throws to give Boston a 104-100 cushion, but Richardson drained a 3-pointer with three seconds left.
Erick Strickland made just 1-of-2 free throws for the Celtics, but the Clippers had no timeouts and Jeff McInnis was forced to take a half-court shot at the buzzer.
"We have to learn how to win these game," Brand said. "It was a disheartening loss. We had many chances to win and we couldn't pull it off."
Pierce finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds and six assists and Walker added 29 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, who improved to 1-2 on a four-game road trip against Western Conference foes.
Williams and Strickland chipped in nine points apiece as Boston avoided tis first three-game slide in more than a month.
Brand had 24 points and 19 rebounds and McInnis scored 23 points. Michael Olowokandi tied a career high with 20 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has lost three in a row.
"This is the most disappointing loss this year," Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said. "When it came time to make plays, they did and we didn't. We just have to start making plays down the stretch."
The Celtics opened the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run and tied it, 79-79, on a 3-pointer by Walker with 8:34 remaining. The teams were tied three times down the stretch before Richardson scored on a layup and sank 1-of-2 free throws to give Los Angeles a 92-89 lead with 1:54 to go.
Pierce narrowed the margin with a pair of free throws and Williams picked off an errant pass by Brand and made a layup. He was fouled but missed the free throws and Brand made 1-of-2 with 33 seconds left to tie it at 93-93.
"We have been winning close games," Boston point guard Kenny Anderson said. "When we went into overtime, we were confident. That's what the NBA is all about, guys stepping up. When your number is called, step up."
Los Angeles had its largest lead, 35-17, less than four minutes into the second period. But Boston scored 22 of the next 27 points and Pierce capped the burst with a pair of 3-pointers to make it 40-39 with 1:43 left before halftime.
The Celtics finally got the lead jumper by Strickland early in the third and the teams traded the lead three times before the Clippers closed the quarter with a 21-9 run.