Before the game, Rivers said he was unsure when the real Pierce would return, but that he believed him to be making strides.
Pierce showed up at training camp in far from premium condition and injured his right heel in early workouts. Since then he has made a methodical trek back to basketball shape against a bunch of opposing thoroughbreds who have capitalized on his lack of endurance.
Pierce scored 4 points in the first quarter and it appeared he was still a few games from vintage form. But he followed that with a 14-point second quarter, also tallying 5 assists, which was helpful because Rajon Rondo missed his second consecutive game with a sprained right wrist.
And with Pierce’s production, the Celtics’ offense began resembling its usual form.
Baskets came easier. Jumpers were falling, unlike Friday night’s miserable 71-point performance against the Suns. And Pierce was the orchestrator, having a hand in 18 straight points during a fourth-quarter stretch in which the Celtics sealed the game.
“I just wanted to come in with the mind-set of being more aggressive than I was,’’ Pierce said. “I thought vs. Phoenix, I was way too passive. I’m a better player when I’m aggressive, when I’m driving the ball, when I’m getting to my midrange and getting to the bucket. I’m just a better player when I’m doing that.’’
The Celtics did not leave Washington unscathed, however. Ray Allen left the game with 6:36 left in the second quarter after rolling his left ankle trying to clear a screen by Washington rookie Jan Vesely.
Allen was uncertain whether he would play tonight against the Magic at TD Garden. X-rays were negative.
“I was joking with [Washington coach] Flip [Saunders],’’ Rivers said. “When the same guy the third time knocked him down, I asked him did they have a hit out on Ray?’’
With Allen out, Rivers gave Mickael Pietrus extensive time and he responded with 14 points in 35 minutes. Meanwhile, Brandon Bass, who will face his former team tonight, helped out with 13 points and nine rebounds, including three key offensive rebounds.
