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With Kevin Garnett injured and Ray Allen fouled out, Paul Pierce stepped up for the defending champions and hit three huge shots in another overtime thriller. Pierce finished with 26 points as the Celtics escaped with a 106-104 win and took a 3-2 advantage in the best of seven series.

This contest, another seesaw battle with 13 lead changes and 15 ties, didn’t end without a bit of controversy. Following Pierce’s jumper with 3.4 seconds to go in overtime that put Boston up a bucket, a wide-open Brad Miller drove to the hoop off the inbounds play. Rajon Rondo hammered Miller across the face, but no flagrant foul was called, and a shaken Miller missed the first free throw before intentionally missing the second.

For Chicago, Ben Gordon led the way with 26 points and six assists after shaking off a left hamstring strain suffered in Game 4. Joakim Noah turned in another gritty performance, scoring 11 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Kirk Hinrich added 19 points off the bench, including 14 in the first half.

Rondo’s 28 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds led Boston.

Game 6 will be Thursday in Chicago, with tickets still remaining. Game time is to be determined.