Celtics run winning streak to six

And it all added up to positives for the Celtics (15-4), who conclude a four-game road trip in Oklahoma City tonight, proof they do not have to be at their best to succeed.

“The offense isn’t really focused on me,’’ said Pierce (8 points). “I try to do the little things when the offense isn’t going. I try to defend and help on rebounds, the other things. As you can see, not one of my better offensive nights and we still win. That’s the sign of a team that’s focused on defense, and we can win those type of games. Maybe a few years back, I had a game like this we get blown out.’’

The Celtics led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter. The Spurs (9-7), who had a five-game winning streak snapped, struggled to find combinations to match the Celtics, two of their starters failing to score, and Richard Jefferson held to 6 points.

The Spurs rallied behind reserve forward DeJuan Blair (18 points, 11 rebounds), pulling within 4 points in the late going. But some persistent Celtic defending and a key Rajon Rondo jumper closed out the game.

Blair’s third-chance follow pulled the Spurs within 85-81 with 2:47 remaining, capping a possession that included a timeout and two missed free throws by Tim Duncan. Rondo then connected with a pullup jumper for a 6-point edge with two minutes to go, and the Celtics held off a 35-second Spurs possession, forcing a Duncan miss.

Jefferson made it 87-83 with 57.6 seconds left. And, after a Kevin Garnett miss, Rondo stripped Tony Parker on the Spurs’ final meaningful possession. Pierce (16.3 seconds) then hit a free throw and Eddie House (11.6) added two more foul shots.

“I was trying to get back and keep him in front of me,’’ Rondo said. “I knew they had numbers and they were going to attack. It’s not just coming from me, it’s coming from everybody - whether it’s a rebound we need down the stretch, or a stop on the defensive end, we’re getting it from all the guys on the floor.’’