BOSTON (AP) – Paul Pierce scored 38 points, hit the game-winning jumper with 23 seconds left and deflected Tayshaun Prince’s 3-point attempt on the Pistons’ last possession as the Boston Celtics defeated Detroit 115-113 in double overtime Friday night.

The Celtics gained their sixth win in seven games since trading for Antoine Walker and maintained a three-game lead over Philadelphia for the Atlantic Division lead.

Boston had chances to win the game at the end of regulation and the first overtime, but Pierce missed a 15-footer as time expired in regulation, and Ricky Davis, who finished with 23 points, misfired on a turnaround jumper at the buzzer in the first overtime.

Pierce, who also had 12 rebounds, sank the winning shot over Rasheed Wallace in the second overtime and then got a piece of Prince’s shot with 6 seconds left.

The Celtics snapped a five-game losing skid against Detroit, winning against the Pistons for the first time since a 99-92 victory at home on April 16, 2003. The Pistons lost their fourth consecutive road game and have dropped four of their last five overall.

Boston had a 95-92 lead and possession late in regulation, but Walker missed a wide-open 3-pointer with 22 seconds left and Gary Payton fouled Chauncey Billups while shooting a 3-pointer with 15.8 seconds remaining. The ex-Celtic sank all three foul shots to tie the game.

Walker had his worst game since returning to Boston, missing his first nine attempts from the field and finishing 4-of-19 for 9 points.

Prince led Detroit with 27 points. Richard Hamilton added 24 and Billups finished with 23. Ben Wallace tied a season-high with 19 rebounds.

Notes: Celtics coach Doc Rivers and Detroit coach Larry Brown had a 15-minute conversation in the Pistons team bus prior to the game after the building was evacuated due to a smoke condition in one of the freight elevators. … Gary Payton’s son, Gary II, was on the Celtics bench for the first six minutes of the game. … Ben Wallace had 14 rebounds in the first half. … Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was seated courtside. … Boston committed just one turnover in the first half.

AP-ES-03-11-05 2259EST