The Post Sports Live crew debates whether the Wizards' 5-2 record proves that this team is better than years past. (Post Sports Live/The Washington Post)

The Post Sports Live crew debates whether the Wizards' 5-2 record proves that this team is better than years past. (Post Sports Live/The Washington Post)

Paul Pierce spotted the unoccupied space and drove baseline dribbling with his left hand, right past a flat-footed Chris Copeland. The Indiana Pacers’ help defense was tardy; by the time Lavoy Allen rotated over to aid his teammate, Pierce was elevating off his left foot up and over him. All Allen could do was helplessly deliver a weak forearm as Pierce flew by for a one-handed dunk and the foul to break a tie in overtime.

The Washington Wizards’ reserves, and the spectators nearby at Verizon Center, erupted. The leaping display, an uncommon practice over Pierce’s 17-year career even during his prime, provided a jolt to a Wizards team suddenly engaged in a tight clash against the feisty Pacers with four minutes remaining last Wednesday.

But it was also just one of Pierce’s three baskets in 15 attempts in the extended affair, which proved to be the first leg of a dreadful three-game display. Pierce is shooting just 8 of 39 in the Wizards’ past three games, and his first season in Washington has commenced with a paltry .333 shooting percentage.

“It’s not hard at all for me,” Pierce said after practice Monday. “I don’t even think about the last shots. I just continue to play. I feel like the next one’s always going to go in. I never get discouraged. I don’t lose confidence. That’s just me. It’s made me who I am today.”

Washington stunned the industry in July by replacing the departed Trevor Ariza at small forward with Pierce, who signed a two-year contract worth $10.8 million with a player option for next season. Now 37 years old, he is in the final phase of a surefire Hall of Fame career and was recruited to the District to provide experience and leadership as the Wizards seek to solidify their place among the Eastern Conference elite.

The Post Sports Live crew discusses Otto Porter's outstanding play and why the Wizards shouldn't worry too much during Bradley Beal's absence. (Post Sports Live/The Washington Post)

Bradley Beal’s fractured left wrist altered that arrangement. Without Beal, Washington’s second-leading scorer last season, the Wizards are relying on Pierce as an offensive option more than anticipated. He is third on the team with 10.7 field goal attempts per game through seven contests — and the number includes an 0-for-3 performance in one half against the Milwaukee Bucks before he was ejected.

Pierce, teammates, and Coach Randy Wittman all knew this would take time. Not only does Pierce have to learn a new offense, but he has to familiarize himself with new teammates on the court and vice-versa. The acclimation takes multiple forms: where he likes the ball, where to find teammates, when to take control, when to surrender it. It is an imprecise education process.

“He’s just in a tough stretch, but he’s a veteran guy that knows how to get out of them slumps,” point guard John Wall said. “And my job is to keep giving the ball in the right spots and right situations and try to give them the easy ones to get themselves at the free-throw line or layup. I know he knows what to do to get out of those slumps, but he does other things to help this team win even when he’s not having a good scoring night.”

This is far from Pierce’s first drought. Like any high-volume shooter — Pierce is 25th in career field goal attempts — his long career is littered with dry spells. For example, Pierce went 7 of 34 from the field over a three-game stretch with the Brooklyn Nets last November, almost exactly a year ago. He scored 19 points two days later.

“I’m not going to miss 100 straight,” said Pierce, who is logging 28 minutes per game. “It doesn’t bother me. That’s just the way I’m built. I’m not discouraged.”

Wittman also shrugged off the three-game sample. The coach emphasized Pierce has consistently found open looks at the basket — they just haven’t gone in. That was the case at the end of regulation last Wednesday, when Pierce fooled an aggressive Pacers defender with a pump fake to create an unobstructed three-point attempt to win the game, but it ricocheted off the back rim.

“Everybody goes through it,” Wittman said. “If we can continue to give him those shots, I’m going to be pretty happy.”

1 of 18 Full Screen Autoplay Close Projected starting lineup Projected bench Skip Ad × The Washington Wizards 2014-15 roster View Photos A look at the Wizards roster that features a mix of veterans and a highly-touted backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal. Caption A look at the Wizards roster that features a mix of veterans and a highly-touted backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal. From left, Washington Wizards guard John Wall, right, forward Paul Pierce and guard Bradley Beal. Carolyn Kaster/AP Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

Despite Pierce’s start and a grueling schedule to begin the season — five of seven games on the road and four games in five nights last week — the Wizards are 5-2 and kick off a four-game homestand Wednesday, when they host the Detroit Pistons. And Pierce, confident as ever, will not hesitate to shoot.

“I’m not really worried about it,” Pierce said. “The most important thing at the end of the day is to win the game. Regardless of how I’m shooting, I know I’ll turn it around.”