WASHINGTON (AP) – Paul Pierce made a 22-footer at the buzzer to help the Boston Celtics beat the Washington Wizards 116-115 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Pierce scored 31 points, including the Celtics’ last seven points in overtime, to secure the win.

Gilbert Arenas led Washington with 39 points, including all 11 of the Wizards’ overtime points. His pull-up with 14 seconds left in the extra period put the Wizards ahead 115-114. Pierce answered with a fade-away from the left baseline for the game-winner.

Pierce had given the Celtics a 114-113 lead with 28 seconds left in OT before Arenas’ pull-up.

Ryan Gomes scored 21 of his 27 points in the first half, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer that gave the Celtics a 57-54 lead at the break.

Antawn Jamison scored 25 points and Caron Butler added 23 for the Wizards. Jamison hit a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to give Washington a 95-82 lead, before Boston rallied to tie it at 99 on a 17-4 run, capped by Orien Greenes 3-pointer from the right wing.

The Wizards and Celtics then traded points in the final minutes before Pierce and Arenas each had a chance to win it in regulation.

With eight seconds difference between the shot and game clocks after a Celtics timeout, Pierce dribbled at the top of the arc before firing an errant 3-pointer, resulting in a shot clock violation.

Arenas missed a 15-footer at the buzzer.

Neither team took good care of the basketball, with the Celtics committing 27 turnovers to the Wizards’ 19.

Notes: The Celtics had lost their previous two games against the Wizards by a combined three points. The Wizards won 89-87 in Boston on January 25, and 103-102 at home on Jan. 7. … Pierces 31 points mark the 12th time in 13 games hes scored 30 or more. … Washington signed guard Billy Thomas to a second 10-day contract Monday, after which they must decide whether to keep him for the rest of the season. … Boston has won at least one game at Washington every season since 1997-98.

AP-ES-03-07-06 2224EST