Paul Pierce did it again. With the Celtics down one with just seconds to go, Pierce did what he's seemingly done a thousand times - snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. This time it was an 18-foot jump shot with 0.5 seconds left, lifting the Celtics over the previously unbeaten Atlanta Hawks, 103-102. Pierce had his second 30+ point in as many games, dropping 34 points (15-15 from the line), with two coming on the game-winner, and two more coming on a couple of huge free throws with 29 seconds left. The two free throws put the Celtics up two, before Atlanta hit a 3-pointer with 7 seconds left on the clock to take the lead by one, 102-101. That left plenty of time for the Celtics, and Pierce, to give us another early-season nail-biter. The Celtics move to 8-1, matching last year's start, though it has hardly been as dominant. But, that's what happens when the proverbial target is on your back, as it is for the C's.

It was another "Big Three" night, as Pierce, Garnett, and Allen combined for 76 of the 103 points. KG went for 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Ray Allen scored 17. However, the Celtics' frigid cold 3-point shooting continued, as they shot just 5-24 (21%) from beyond the arc, with Ray Allen and Eddie House going 2-16 between them. The bench was also just as cold, shooting just 3-18.

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