Pierce, Celts keep creeping in East

Boston has lost four of its last five games and is currently 10th in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Celtics, who suffered a 105-97 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, trail Philadelphia by five games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference.

Luckily for Boston, the 76ers have lost four in a row and All-Star guard Allen Iverson is hampered with an ankle sprain.

Pierce and the rest of the crew need to right the ship fast because the regular season is rapidly winding down. With 14 games left, time is against Beantown’s beloved Celtics.

Pierce, though, is the main ingredient in keeping Boston in the hunt.

He has scored more than 30 points in 13 of his last 14 games, and is the only player in the NBA to lead his team in points (27.1), rebounds (6.7), assists (4.8) and steals per game (1.4) this season.

On Wednesday, the Celtics conclude a brief two-game homestand versus the Toronto Raptors to TD Banknorth Garden. Expect Pierce to light up the scoreboard for 30-plus points in this one.