Paul Pierce was named the Eastern Conference’s player of the week after averaging 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in four games. The points were 6 above his season average, a sign that Pierce — in addition to Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, and Avery Bradley — is turning it on at the right time.

That play manifested itself in a 4-0 week, capped by a 91-72 victory over the Heat at TD Garden Sunday. Pierce raced by Shane Battier and exploded to the rim on one play, celebrating with the crowd afterward (above). One prominent NBA writer tweeted after the play that Pierce hadn’t gotten past anyone for a two-handed dunk since his days at Kansas. Clearly the writer could use to watch more Celtics games. Sound play like this from Pierce means the Celtics at least have a shot of playing games late into May and June.


Garnett was a runner-up for the weekly award. Chris Paul was named the player of the week for the Western Conference.