The Associated Press

Minnesota's Wally Szczerbiak, an ex-Miami Redhawk, soars for two of his 15 points in the Wolves' 102-97 loss to the Lakers Sunday. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

BOSTON - The 24-second clock was winding down as Paul Pierce dribbled calmly in place, talking trash to defender Al Harrington.

"He said, 'I hope you're ready, because I'm ready to bring it,' " Harrington recalled.

Bring it he did.

Pierce made a 3-pointer over the taller Harrington with 3.6 seconds left in the third quarter of Boston's 102-92 win over the Pacers on Sunday, giving him 21 of his 37 points in that period. The Celtics lead 3-1 in the best-of-seven playoff series, which resumes Tuesday in Indiana.

"We don't want to prolong the series," Pierce said. "We don't want to give them any breathing room."

The basket put Boston ahead 73-62 as Pierce scored the last 11 points of the quarter, which began with Indiana leading 48-36.

"That's what playoff basketball is all about, two guys competing at the highest level," Pierce said.

The Pacers used various tactics to harass Pierce - from a taller player jumping at him on long shots to double-teaming when he went inside - but couldn't stop him.

"We couldn't get him under control," Indiana coach Isiah Thomas said. "He's a shotmaker and he made shots. I don't think (Ron) Artest could have been any closer to him" on defense.

Jermaine O'Neal had 25 points and 19 rebounds for the Pacers.

Lakers 102, T-Wolves 97

LOS ANGELES - Shaquille O'Neal had a simple plan to keep the Lakers from being on the brink of elimination: Just get him the ball.

"I told the guys before the game, get me the ball and move out of the way," he said.

"I've just got to have the ball in a position where I can do something. As soon as I'm open, I would like to have it."

He got it - from his teammates and off the boards - and that was the difference as Los Angeles rallied past Minnesota to even their first-round playoff series 2-2.

O'Neal had 34 points, 23 rebounds and six assists for the three-time defending champions, who outscored the Timberwolves 22-11 in the last seven minutes.

Game 5 will be played Tuesday night at Target Center, where the teams split the first two games of the series. Game 6 is Thursday night at Staples Center.

Magic 100, Pistons 92

ORLANDO, Fla. - One more win, Tracy McGrady reminded the sellout crowd with a raised finger as he walked off the court.

One more win, and the Orlando Magic will have knocked off the No. 1 seed in the East. McGrady had 27 points and nine assists as the Magic took a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series. Drew Gooden added 20 points and 13 rebounds while Darrell Armstrong came off the bench for 18.

Orlando last advanced past the opening round in 1996 - when it swept Detroit - and has dropped four series since.

McGrady has exited in the first round three straight times, the first with Toronto and then two more after coming home to central Florida.

"Our guys are just keeping their composure, going out here focused and playing with a great deal of confidence - and that's what we're going to need to close out this series," McGrady said.

Trail Blazers 98, Mavericks 79

PORTLAND, Ore. - Despite playing without Scottie Pippen, Derek Anderson and Arvydas Sabonis, the Portland Trail Blazers managed to avoid being swept in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks.

Zach Randolph had 25 points and 15 rebounds in the Trail Blazers win.

The victory snapped Portland's 10-game playoff losing streak which dated back to Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks won his first playoff game as a coach after six straight losses.

The series returns to Dallas on Wednesday for Game 5. But no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a seven-game series, and the Mavericks haven't lost four in a row all season.

At a glance

Sunday

• Boston 102, Indiana 92, Boston leads series 3-1

• L.A. Lakers 102, Minnesota 97, series tied 2-2

• Orlando 100, Detroit 92, Orlando leads series 3-1

• Portland 98, Dallas 79,Mavericks lead series 3-1

• San Antonio at Phoenix, night, Spurs lead 2-1

Today's games

• Philadelphia at N.O., 8 p.m., Philadelphia leads series 2-1

• Sac. at Utah, 10:30 p.m., Sacramento leads series 2-1

Tuesday

• Milwaukee at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

• Phoenix at San Antonio, 7 p.m.

• Boston at Indiana, 9:30 p.m.

• L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m.