BOSTON – Paul Pierce made three straight jumpers in the final 77 seconds of overtime and the Boston Celtics held on to beat the Chicago Bulls 106-104 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series.

Rajon Rondo scored 28 points with 11 assists and eight rebounds, and Kendrick Perkins had 16 points, 19 rebounds and seven blocks for the Celtics. It was the third time in five games the teams have needed overtime, a surprising first-round struggle for the defending NBA champions.

Ben Gordon scored 26 and Joakim Noah had 11 points and 17 rebounds for Chicago, but Brad Miller missed the potential game-tying free throws with 2 seconds left in overtime.

The Bulls return home for Game 6 on Thursday night hoping to extend the series; Game 7, if necessary, would be in Boston on Saturday.

Mavericks 106, Spurs 93 – In San Antonio, Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points and Dallas won a playoff series for the first time since 2006, eliminating San Antonio in five games.

It is the first time San Antonio has lost in the opening round since 2000, one year after the Spurs won their first of four NBA titles. San Antonio was the third seed, but throughout the series it was Dallas that clearly looked like the higher-slotted team.

The Mavericks advance to the Western Conference semifinals to play either Denver or New Orleans. The Nuggets lead that series 3-1 and can finish off the Hornets on Wednesday at Denver.

Tim Duncan scored 30 points and Tony Parker had 26 but once again got little help – the story of the series for the two-dimensional Spurs.

Magic 91, 76ers 78 – In Orlando, Dwight Howard had 24 points and a career playoff-high 24 rebounds, a dominating performance that powered Orlando to a 3-2 series lead over Philadelphia.

Rashard Lewis snapped out of his playoff slump with a series-high 24 points, and Rafer Alston scored 14 for the Magic. It was Howard’s fourth career playoff game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds.

Andre Iguodala scored 26 points and led a second-half charge that fizzled fast, and Andre Miller added 17 points for Philadelphia.