Net asset

That shot gave the Celtics, who host Toronto tomorrow, a 109-105 lead with 9.6 seconds remaining. And that possession was set up as Pierce drew a charge from Andre Iguodala with 34.3 seconds remaining.

Then, Pierce made certain the Sixers would not have a chance for a tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds, putting Jason Kapono on the foul line with 1.4 seconds on the clock.

Not that Pierce ignored his other responsibilities, the captain scoring 27 points, inspiring his teammates, and going the entire second half.

“He’s been the MVP, to me,’’ coach Doc Rivers said. “Not only just with his play but all over. He was on guys in the second quarter and then halftime, about our play. There’s the defensive urgency, getting out on the shots. Stop making excuses. He’s doing everything you ask him to do. He’s guarding guys, he’s rebounding, he’s making big shots, he’s taking charges. I mean, I don’t know what else. He can cook Thanksgiving dinner for someone and then he’ll be doing it all. He’s been terrific.’’

But the Celtics’ inconsistency in the game symbolized their recent struggles.

Earlier in the season, the Celtics seemed like a dominant team, defeating the Sixers, 105-74, in Philadelphia Nov. 3. But, lately, the Celtics (11-4) have either started games slowly or finished them ineffectively. This time, they started strong and finished efficiently, but they had problems with the Sixers’ athleticism and perimeter shooting for much of the contest.

“I told our guys at halftime they were making it an athletic contest and we were not making it a physical contest,’’ Rivers said. “What I meant by that, all the long rebounds, they were just hitting the ball to keep the ball alive, and then race to see who can get to it first. I told them, until we box out and physically put bodies on guys, that would continue. I thought we did a much better job in the second half.’’

Instead of extending a 7-point advantage late in the opening quarter, the Celtics faltered, falling behind by as many as 7 in the second quarter. Then, the starters seemed determined to make a stand at the start of the second half. Again, the Sixers rallied, taking an 85-79 lead after three quarters.